Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-12-22
CHAPTER II.

tidential solicitor ever since he re-
turned from India. ! was a mere boy
when he went away. He knew me
then, and when he came back he
sought me out"
And that is twenty-five years ago,
Mr.. Girtle?"
Yes. The year you were born"
And he made you his confidant?"
Yes, he gave me his confidence, as
far as think he gave it to any man"
"And did he always live in this
way?"
Always. He filled up the house
with the vast collection of curiosities
and things that he had been sending
home for years, and l expected that he
would entertain, and lead the life Of
an English gentleman; but no, the
house has been closed for twenty-five
years"
Mr.. Critic, a clean-shaven old gen.
lehman, with yellow face, dark, rest
less eyes, and bright gray hair, took
pinch of snuff from a handsome gold
box, flicked few grains from his
white shirt-front, and said, "Hah."
Had my uncle met with any great
disappointment" said the first
speaker, frank-looking man with
closely curling brown hair and high,
white forehead.
What! to make him take to this
strange life? Oh, no. He was pecu-
liar, but not unhappy: He liked to be
alone, but he was always bright and
cheerful at his club"
you met him there, them" said a
fresh voice; and a handsome, dark
young fellow, who had been leaning
back in an easy-chair In the dim
drawing-room, sat up quickly, playing
with his little black mustache.
ooh, yes! used to dine with Col
onel Capel when we had business to
transact"
"But here, you say, he led the life
Of miser!" continued the young man,
crossing his legs and examining the
toe of his patent-leather boot.
Il beg your pardon. Mr.. Gerard
Arts, do not say that. Your great
uncle was no miser. He spent money
freely, sometimes in charities. Yes"
he continued, turning to where two
ladies were seated, Colonel Capel
was often very charitable"
Il never saw his name in any
charitable list" said the darker of the
two ladies, speaking in a sweet,
silvery voice; and her beautiful regu-
lar features seemed to attract both
the previous speakers
"No, Miss D'Enghien, | suppose
not" said the old man, nodding his
head and rising to begin walking up
and down, snuff-box in hand. Neither
did I. But he was very charitable in
his own particular way, and he was
very kind
YES" said the young man who had
first spoken; very kind. | have him
to thank for my school and college
education"
"Well-yes," said the old lawyer; 81
suppose it is no breach of confidence
to say that it is So"
And have to thank him for mine,
and the pleasant life have led, Mr..
Critic, have / not?" said the second
of the ladies, and but for the gloom
the flush that came into her sweet
face would have been plainly seen.
At that moment the footman entered
with letter upon massive salver,
and as he walked straight to the old
lawyer he cast quick, furtive glances
at the other occupants of the room.
"A note, eh?" said the old solicitor,
balancing his gold-rimmed glasses up
on his nose; "um-um--yes, exactly
very delicate of them to write. Tell
them will see them shortly, Charles"
The footman bowed, and was retir-
ing as silently as he came over the
soft carpet when he was checked by
the old solicitor.
you will tell Mr.. Freeman to see
that these gentlemen have every at
tention."
"Yes, sir"
The footman left the room almost
without sound, for the door was
opened and closed noiselessly. The
only thing that broke the terrible ST.
lence that seemed to reign was the
faint clink of the silver tray against
one or the metal buttons OF the mans
coat. As for the magnifcently fur
nished room, with It's heavy curtains
and drawblinds, 1t seemed to have
grown darker, so that the faint CLEANS
of light that had hung in a dull way
on the faces of the great mirrors and
the gilded carving of console and chif-
fonier had died out. 1t required no
great effort of the imagination to be-
lieve that the influence of the dead
man, who had passed so many soli-
tary years in that shut-up house. was
still among them, making itself felt
with a weight from which they could
not free themselves.
Paul Capel looked across at the
beautiful face of Katrine D'Enghien,
thinking of her creole extraction and
the half French, half American father
who had married his relative. He ex-
pected to see her looking as agitated
as her cousin Lydia Lawrence, but she
sat back, with one arm gracefully