Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-05-16

self before it, With my books anC
papers. The bow window was at one
end of the room, the door was at the
other. Near me an open window lei
in the sound of trees gently stirred by
a breeze. [ had been engrossed in nv
studies for about an hour, and hat
reached that point of absorption when
/ sounds become instinct, when sud
denly | was recalled by hearing my
own name pronounced behind me.
Miss Keith" said q ditfident but
/ masculine voice in my ear
| was startled beyond words; | had
not heard any one enter the room, and
I thought myself alone. L sprang to my
feet with a cry. And if the sound of
my own name had alarmed me, the
face and figure which [ beheld upon
! turning around did not reassure me.
For, standing close beside me, I found
Mr. MarStOn
My first feeling was that Of simple,
stupid amazement, and that was fol
lowed by general apprehension and
then personal fear. The drawing-room
was shut off from the rest Of the
! house. 4 cry would be Of no avail I'm
less some one happened to be in the
corridor. [ was utterly hopeless To-
Sebher with these thoughts there came
to my mind the recollection that Miss
Murray had left me a large sum of
money fO' expenses, and this was at
the moment lying in the locked drawer
of the Writing-table beside me.
I looked wildly around. The space
between myself and the bellrope was,
remarked, free; it was just possible to
dart forward and to reach it. [ made
the attempt, but found myself. before
| got near, caught in a strong pair of
OBTAINING arms.
This act certainly did not alIay my
alarm. For a second or two | strug-
gled he!pleosly, rlen suddenly [ de-
sisted. | gave myself and Miss Muir
rays interests up for lost, and, with
that, felt a strange. fierce anger blaze
up in my heart to lend me courage.
Coward. Cowardr' l managed to
cry out.
Whereupon the iron hand about me
was Immediately relaxed
Miss Keith, for heavens sake don't
ring the bell and give the alarm! Is
it possible that you distrust me?"
AS he spoke, he placed himself be-
tween me and the bellrope, ami l,
thankful to be free, stumbled back a
step or two, and leaned against the
desk.
Mr.. Marston stood silently in front
of me. His face was the picture of
dismay.
rs it possible" he repeated. chat
you distrust me-"
| looked at him in a frenzy of indig-
nation.
why! Why" I cried. 'You are
rutfanr'
His eyes fell before mine. ITO be
Sure!" said he, in Il low voice. ''To me
sure. ] am a ruttlan"'
My courage increased when [ saw
that | was not to be subjected to any
fresh attack.
Have you anyone with yoa:" | in
quired imperatiyely.
He looked up suddenly, and in the
midst of his dismay | was convinced
that | caught a CLEAN of humor in his
Well-rememberedb blue eyes.
"Oh-oh, no! On my honor, Miss
Keith, | am absolutely alone. You've
only got me to deal with, you know"
He looked down again, adding pres
emily in a low voice:
KNOCK me down, you know, if you
can, and if you like. l won't do any
thing to prevent it again
How did you get i'm asked |.
BY the usual way" he returned,
again looking up with that CLEAN of
humor in his eyes. q rang the door
bell, and the servant opened it; and
l was shown in here"
Il heard nothing" said |, feeling
just the least bit in the world alb
Surd.
NO" said he, ''the wind was blow
ing in over your head from the open
window and you were much en-
crossed
What have you come fore?"
WELL" he said, ''to have a little
talk with you, if you will be so good
as to permit it, and to- show you these
papers."
''Win you sit DOWN." said I, very
stiAiy.
And at last we got upon two chairs
opposite to one another. | was still
trembling, and still in a blaze of min
gled anger and fear. His first action
was to take out the old registered en-
velope from his pocket, and to lay it
on his knee. and to look at it with an
expression something between rueful-
ness and ticllled humor.
"There is a good deal that wants eX-
planation," said he.
I assented with a movement of the
hand.
I most sincerely ask pardon for my
rudeness just now. I trust l did not
hurt YOU, Miss Keith" he continued
with some compunction of tone.
You can go on" said I, dryly, land
never mind me"'
"Certainly," he returned ruefully. 81
want first to prove to you who l am.
Will you read this?'
read through the document, and as
soon as l had finished that, he pre-
scented me with another The papers
consisted of written and printed proofs
that he had spent such and such years
at the University of ONhridge, that he
had taken his degree-an honor degree
for which he must have read hard