The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1899-02-21


pleby. 1T was the women who talked
me over. To begin with, the mans
half foreigner, and 1 want nc parlez-
vous in my family
! His letter to Foy had been Of the
briefest:
"Look round the first thing to-mor-
row morning; / want to talk to you.
The father was up betimes, too agi-
tated to eat his breakfast. He car
| ried his cup of tea to the study at the
back of the dining room, and pacedI
that snug apartment, waiting for Mr.
Foy. Upstairs there was wild excite
ment among the feminine part of the
household, rushings and hurryingsi
from room to spectral figures
in long, white raiment and flowing
hair, crimping, plating, hooking and
cycling. Here on the ground floor
there was an awful quietude.
Presently CASTOR Foy came in. He,
who was usually SO pale, had this
morning hectic spot on each cheek.
He, too, shared in the general excite
ment. Looking at him closely, Mr..
Umpleby saw that his lips were dry
and white
Nothing wrong with Bella, hope?"
he asked nervously.
Bella was the bride.
mo, there is nothing the matter
with Bella, at present 1t is about
yourself I want to talk. I think-when
we first knew you-you told me that
you stood quite alone in the world
that you were an orphan-had fought
your own way in life-had not liv-
ing soul belonging to YOU"
Cali that is quite true" answered
CASTOR Foy, looking straight at the
questioner, with a face that showed
no trace of emotion or surprise. "Why
discuss the matter this morning? 1t is
not cheerful subject
"You have deceived me-" said Mr..
Umpleby II am told you have a sis
ter"
This time the young man was palpa-
bly, moved. Strong as he was in dis
stimulation his self-control failed him.
For the moment he stood staring
blankIy at his accuser-wordless Then
he suddenly recovered himself and
looked at Mr. Umpleby, pleadingly,
with deprecating smile.
'You have found out my secret" he
said, mournfully "It is a sorrowfui
one. Yes, I have a sister; yes, have
kept her existence a secret from you,
and from all love in this house. Poor
girl! her life has been-is-a burden
to herself and others. An invalid, IL
most an imbecile, my afflicted sister
shrank from the world as the world
would have shrunk from her. Had
you seen her you might have been
prejudiced, you might have regarded
her as an obstacle to my marriage
''You ought to have told me the
truth" answered Umpleby, sternly
Fl learn that few days ago this girl
was living with you at Parminter You
removed her from there in a weak
state of health. Where is she now?"
cat the seaside"
'Where?"
cat Howcomb.''
He named place at least fifty miles
from Grandchester.
"Alone?"
mo; with friends of mine.''
Mr.. Umpleby took a telegraph form
from one of the drawers in his desk,
and laid it on the plotting pad.
Write a letter to your Howcomb
friends at my dictation, to inquire
about your sisters present condition.
A few words will do Thus: L am anx-
ious about my sister-please let me
know how she is this morning. An
swer paid. The reply can come here.
Why do you hesitate?"
Because your request implies sus-
picion. + shall send no such
telegram. Why should you drag nv
poor, suffering sister into this days
business? I have told you the truth
about her. l have told you why I
have hitherto concealed her existence
from you and yours. Can you not
allow me to forget her, at least for
to-day?"
mo; Mr.. F'oy; I want to have posi-
tive proof that your account of this
young woman is a true one. / want
to know that she is-alive, and in
safe hands. When we have settled
that question, I shall have to ask Won
another"
The hectic spots have intensified on
the young mans cheeks, leaving the
rest of his face livid. He wiped his