Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-08-20

5 have some breakfast Sadie is takin:
E some chocolate in her room, but shell
be down right presently"
They crossed the hail together. Mr.
Hovesdean selected small table and
looked down the menu with smile OF
satisfaction.
"a good breakfast is a thing I've
been just looking Cor. How about
You, Lord Marlborough"
Mr.. Hovedean's cheerfulness and ap.
petite were alike infectious. Lord
: Marlborough suddenly remembered tina.
he had eaten scarcely anything fcl
two days.
It am ravenous," he admitted. The
table d'hate breakfast will suit me
While we are having it you can tell lie
your plans
plans? l really don't think 1 have
made any Mr.. Hovcsdeau remarked,
thoughtfully.
Lord Marlborough was :, little Sur
prised. He had heard somewhere
that an American who had failed in
business was up on his legs struggling
again with fate almost before the
creditors meeting was over, and from
his knowledge of Mr.. Hcvesdean he
should have imagined him to have
been such a man. What did the man
mean to do? He felt trifie disap-
pointed.
/ Il had some idea of buying a place
! in England" Mr., Hovasiean re
marked, helping him to coffee. Il see
Clostow is in he market. | stayed
there once for a day or two with the
late earl, and l took a fancy to the
house and the country round
! Lord Marlborough set down the piece
of toast he had been buttering and
looked steadily at Mr.. Hovesdean.
( "Clostow" he repeated. why, they
want at least $50, 900 for it!'
Very cheap, too" remarked Mr.
Hovesdean, calmly. It's the price
that tempts me a little. l was quite
prepared to be asked ESQ, 600"
Lord Marlborough set down his knife
and fork and looked blankly into his
plate. Here was a fresh complication.
/ The man had evidently been defraud-
ing his creditors on a gigantic scale.
A poor father-in-law he could have toll
Grated, but a swindler!
''You seem upset" Mr.. Hovesdean re-
marked, glancing up moment later in
surprise at his companions silence.
What's wrong? Isn't the steak
cooked? Have another piece. I'll cali
the waiter.'
Thank you, the steak is all right,
up. IF you want to know what is the
matter, Mr.. Hovesdean, I'll tell you
plainly. | was a little surprised to
hear you speaking of buying such an
estate as Clostow under The present
circumstances. | am afraid sI,h a
step would not be favorably regarded
in this country"
Il fear that | do not quite follow YOU,
Lord Marlborough" he said, with GER
tain quiet and becoming dignity. Am
l to understand that because you are
doing me the honor TO marry my
daughter, that my presence in the
country is unwelcome?"
Certainly nor exclaimed Lord Har-
borough. Il referred, of course, to the
state of your business affairs"
''The state of my business AFFAIRS
Mr.. Hovesdean repeated, blankly.
Are you mad, Marlborough, or am I?''
Il don't know" Lord Marlborough an
swered, curtly. II refer to the fail
ure of Hovesdean & Co., of Boston, in
plain Words
Mr.. Hovesdean sat quite still for five
seconds. Then he leaned back in his
chair and laughed, not loudly but with
an intense, silent mirth. When he had
finished he leaned forward and wiped
the tears from his eyes.
Lord Marlborough" he said. do
you mean to tell me that you imagined
there was any connection between chat
rotten. lettering concern of John
Hovesdean e Co. and my firm, Hoves-
dean, Platts & Platts?'
"Of course" Lord Marlborough an
swered, with a gasp.
Mr.. HOvesdean held out his hand. /
Then you're a better fellow than |
thought you. Lord Marlborough, to De
sitting here with me at this moment, :
and l respect you for 1t. Give me your
hand. That's good! Why, I dare say
you imagined your money was gone, !
too-eh?'
"Of course l did," Lord Marlborough, /
faltered. isn't it?''
We'll step round to Earrings and
see, after breakfast" Mr.. Hovesdean
answered, with a smile. "You sent
me $4,000 shillings and 5 pence.
There is exactly 100000 lying &c your
credit at Barings' today. and has been
for a fortnight or three weeks. John
Hovesdean was q distant but most dis
reputable connection OF mine, who
traded solely upon the identity of our
names. I have offered to buy him up
time after time, to be free from the in
convenience of the thing, and when a
last he went smash the thing was so
annoying that | determined tc travel
for awhile Don't look so scared,
man It's all right. Here, waiter,
glass Of water
I'm all right" Lord Marlborough
gasped. leave me alone for a bit. |
shall be all right. I felt just bit
dizzy-that's all
They were sitting in a corner and
Lod Marlborough turned his chair round
toward the window for moment. Mr..
Hovesdean went on quietly with his
breakfast In less than five minutes
Lrd Marlborough was facing him again.
He looked a little shaken, but his eyes
were bright with 10Y.