Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-07-13

f'' 49,
As soon as he had closed the door, Hugh
Mountjoy uttered a devout ejaculation.
Thank Godv' he said-aud walked up and
down the room. free to think without iu-
terruption ut last.
The subject of his meditations was the
influence of i~ntoXication, in disclosing the
hidden weaknesses and vices OF n mans
character by exhibiting them just as they
are, released from the restraint which he
exercises over himself when he is sober.
That there was a weak side, aud probably
n vicious side, in Mr.. Vimpany's nature
IL was hardly possible to doubt. His blus-
tering good humor, his audacious self
%conccit, the tones OF his voice. the express
sion In his eyes, all revealed him Ito use
one expressive word) as a humbug. Let
drink subtly deprive him OF his capacity
for self-concealment, and the true nature
OF his wife's association with Lord Harry
might sooner or later show itself-say, in
after-dinner talk, under skillful manage
ment. The right method Of e~ntrapping
MIN into q state OF intoxication (whicu
might have presented serious difficulties
under other circumstances was suggest
ed. partly by his ignorance of the differ
ence between good wine and bad, and
! partly by Mountjoy's knowledge Of the
/ excellent quality Of the landlady's claret.
He had recognized, as soon as he tasted it,
that finest vintage OF Bordeaux, which
cenceals It's true strength-to a gross and
ignorant ~taste-under the exquisite deli
cacy of its flavor. Encourage Mr.. Vimp-
any, by means OF q dinner at the inn, 10
give his opinion as u man whose judgment
in claret was TO be seriously consulted
aud permit him also to discover that
Hugh was rich enough to have been able
10 buy the wine-and the attainment of
the end in view would be simply a Ques-
ton of time. There was certainly the
chance TO be reckoned with, that his thick
head MIGHT nrDVp IN ha fpn SfrnnU for
the success of the experiment. Mountjoy
determined to try il, and did try it never
theless.
Mr.. vimpany returned from his medical
errand. thoroughly well satisfied with
""rhe Mayors mother has reason 10
thank you. sir" he announced. IF you
hadn't hurried me away. the wretched old
creature would have been choked. a reg
ular stani-up fight. by Jupiter, between
death and the doctorl-and the doctor has
wonl Give me the reward OF merit. Pass
the bottle"
He took up the decanter. and looked at
"why, what have you been about'" he
asked. II made up my mind that i
should want the key To the cellar when |
came back, aud i don't believe Won have
drunk a drop Ia my presence. What does
1t meant"
at means that j am not WORTHY OF your
sherry" Mountjoy answered. THE Span
ish wines are too strong for my weak di-
gestion."
Mr.. vimpany burst into one of his ex-
plosions of laughter. "You miss the land
lady's yinegar-eht"
Yes. l do Wait a minute, doctor: I
have n word TO say on my ~side-and. like
you, I mean what say. The landlady's
vinegar is some Of the finest Chateau Mar
gaux | have ever met with-thrown away
on ignorant people who are quite IN
The Doctors natural insolence showed
itself. ''You have bought this wonderful
wine. OF course!" he said. satirically.
That" Mountjoy answered. lis Just
sufficient readiness Of speech failed him
He stared at his guest In dumb amaze
ment. On this occasion, Monntjoy im-
proved the opportunity to good purpose.
Mr.. Vimpany accepted with the utmost
readiness an invitation TO dine, on the
next day. at the inn. But he made a cou
dition. In case | don't agree with you
about that Chateau-what-you-call-it." he
said, you won't mind my sending home
for a bottle of sherry"
The next event Of the day was a visit to
the most Interesting monument OF an
tiquity in the town. In the absence OF the
doctor caused by professional engage
ttitntS us IlCuiCl tOoh -uOuntJOy VI e
the old church-and Mrs. Vimpany accom-
panied them, as a mark Of respect to Miss
Henicy's friend.
When there was a chance of being able
to speak confidentially, Iris was eager in
praising the doctors wife. You can't
imagine. Hugh, how agreeable she has
been, and how entirely she has convinced
me that ! was wrong, shamefully wrong,
in thinking Of her as l did. She sees that
You dislike her, and yet she speaks s %
your society she said: pray accompany
me when take him to see the church.
How unselfshl'
Mountjoy kept his own counsel. The
generous impulses which sometimes led
Iris astray were, as he well knew, beyond
the reach Ut remonstrance His own opin-
ion OF Mrs. vimpany still pronounced
steadily against her. Prepared for dis
coveries, on the next day, which might
prove too serious to be trified with, he
now did his best 70 provide for future
emergencies
After first satisfying himself that there
wal nothing In the present state of the
maids hoalth which need detain her mis-
trees 1t Honeybuxzard. he next completed
his Preparations by returning to the inn,
and writing TO Mr.. Henley. With strict
regard TO truth, his letter presented the
daughters claim on the father under .
new point Of view. Whatever the end OF
IL might be. Mr.. Henley was requested to
communicate his intentions by telegraph.
VIII you receive Irisf was the question
snhmittsd- The answer expected was;
Yes or No