Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-02-18
GLOVER THE DRY.
CHAPTER XXI.
A COMFORTER .

basket of hothouse fruit into the pas
sage of Capt. Kelly's house he almost
ran against Ned Thorturn.
"Hellor' he exclaimed, putting his
glass in his eye and trying to regard
ARE you here specially to report this
unfortunate affair, Thorburn?"
He was dissatisfied with himself
feeling that he had neglected the claims
Of friendship and humanity, to say
Eothing of those closer, nearer and
dearer claims which Patrice had upon
him. Accordingly, in an aggressiveIy
self-defensiye spirit he was insufferably
nonchalant and superior.
Il am here trying to be of some little
use to Miss Laughelne, but it's a case
in which no one can help her, lin
afraid" Thorburn said constraining
himself to speak civilly, though his
blood was boiling at the unjustiiabIy
irsolent tone N which Graham had ad-
dressed him.
oh probab!y when I have looked
into things it will be found to be not
such bad business after ALL" sholto
said carelessly.
Then the scorer you look into
things the better" Thorburn muttered
walking toward the door as he spoke
Here, stop a minuten' Sholto said,
loudly; did you put that notice of the
accident in the Daily Telegraph"
Il did not,'
'Oh pray Mr.. Graham, don't speak
SO loudly" May whispered, running
downstairs rapidly. Capt Kelly is
sleeping Patrice wouldn't have him
disturbed for worlds
Graham turned sharply into the
drawingroom. He was feeling bitterly
hurt that Patrice had not run down to
greet him instead of deputing May
ThOrburn to tell him to be quiet He
was also bitterly gagrieved that Ned
IhOrburn should have been making
himself useful in the house in this
hour of need. The newspaper report
of the Incident had not exercised his
spirit very much. He took it for grant
ed that it was exaggerated and had
come down expecting to find Capt
Kelly depressed and miserable cas- he
etically remarked, for having been
such an ass as to dabble in stocks of
which he knew nothing') But he had
not anticipated finding him i'll and still
less had he anticipated finding the
Thorburn's in possession" as he
termed it,
May followed him and he began com
menting on the size and admirable
growth of the various kind OF grapes
that filled the basket which had been
placed on the table.
Il never saw finer Muscats," ne
said, admiringlv; they're quite lit
for exhibition,
1t is kind Of Lady GWenap to have
sent them. Patrice will value any
kindness shown to her father now a.
double its worth" May said quietly.
What made her send them?" ne
asked
She called this morning to inquire
for Capt. Kelly and-saw Patrice"
THE deuce she Gidr' he said, un-
easily and there v as a pause, for May
would not help him out by a single
word.
WAS he injured when he fell; are
any bones broken or anything gone
wrong with his head?" be asked, pre-
sently.
He was injured before he fell,
poor man! From what the policeman
tod my brother he got the hurt which
has nearly killed him when he read
the lying notice on that imposter's
door. No, there are no broken bones;
only a broken heart and broken
mind"
1 think Patrice might come down
and tell me about It herself" he said
complainingly.
'She doesn't know that you're here
| will take up some of these grapes
and tell her
No; | will take them up. 1t is my
place TO help Patr;ce," he said, jeal-
ously, and May was secretly amused
at the air Of lofty determination with
which he selected the finest grapes
remarSing as he did So
That's a splendid thing about my
sister Maggie. Whatever she does she
does we'll. She never gives an inferior
article. | doa't believe Frogmore can
show finer grapes than these. She
must have taken any amount of trouble
and paid any amount OF money to get
them"
There was a challenge in his words
and tone. May accepted it.
Naturally she sent the best she
could get. Does it surprise you that
she did so?"
NO, indeed! Nothing generous or
good-natured that Maggie does sur
prises me-"
lie looked quite reproachful at May
Thorburn. as if he felt grieved to find
that she should possess such a forward
spirit as to underrate Lady Gwenap's
munificence. Then he ran up to Capt.
kelly's room, the door of which was
open to admit all the fresh air that was
about
Patrice was sitting with her hand
clasped in her fathers He had fallen
asleep, holding or to that slim little
hand with an instructive feeling posi-
bly, that it was all he had to hold on to
now. She looked up at Sholto with the
light Of the joy his presence always
caused her Illuminating her small. pale
face, and he came up very gently and
kissed her tenderly. At that moment
he felt that he lover her very dearly
that she was more precious to him
|,