Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-09-25
q Woman' S F ace
FLORENCE WARDEN
CHAPTER Nv.

anu MI. Eu"IH CIOSmOuC, STALKING II
with the amiable expression of an en-
ragged bulldog, stopped short on find
ing himself in the presence of g
stranger, and gave ArmathWaite ar
opportunity of noting we'll every de
tail of his personal appearance. He
was man of about five feet nine
inches in height, so Wellbuilt and
erect that he would have passed as
handsome, in spite of an ill-featured
lace, to which prominent grey eyes, a
snort nose, and protruding lips gave
canine cast, which was rendered
more unprepossessing by an express
sion which, on this particular occa
sion, was alternately morose and
savage
He had black hair, a small dark
moustache, and a rather sa1low skin:
he was dressed in Norfolk suit. and
riding boots, costume which showed
off the proportions of his figure to
great advantage; while his hands,
one of which still held his gloves and
rlding-whip, were white and well
shaped.
Who's this?" he asked shortly, and
in the logged voice of a person who
had been prepared for an unwelcome
encounter and meant to make himself
as disagreeable as he could over it.
And where's Alma? And what's this
| hear about her going out by herself
at this time of night? It's not proper;
It's most improper, and I won't have
it, and so she must understand. Where
is She?"
Armathwaite. who was watching
him steadily making up his mind that
this was quite the most offensive
brute he had ever seen, saw, from a
a look which passed suddenly over
young Mr.. Crosmont's face, that the
latter had recognized him. and that
the recognition had the effect of
frightening him and calming him
down. Before the irate gentleman
had had time to do more than make
half-turn towards the door. Arma-
thwaite had reached it in two long
strides, and looking down with the ex-
preston of superb contempt which his
superior inches enabled him to as
sumo with particular effect, he said
coldly:
You have forgotten to hear my
name: it is Francis ArmathWaite. I
am sorry you should think my pres
ence an intrusion. Mr.. Crosmont and
Mrs. Crosmont were kind enough to
take pity upon traveller and a
stranger. I deeply regret that their
generous hospitality should seem to
you ill-timed, as it was certainly I'M
deserved. l will not obtrude myself
upon you any longer, but / beg you to
receive my thanks for the kindness
shown to me by your wife and by this
gentleman
He bowed and opened the door
quickly, but started on seeing Mrs.
Crosmont. who entered very quietly,
glancing from him to her husband as
if she apprehended the situation.
Armathwaite, eagerly on the alert to
notice the demeanor towards each
other of this apparently ill-mated
pair, saw that the lady fixed upon her
husband a look SO eloquent with dig
MY plSCidlhS, anu Willy ,
that it seemed a revelation of noble
depths in the woman's character, and
filled him, the onlooker, with admira-
ton and Difference. The husband,
however, would not even meet her
eyes, although he FASTENED to apollo
gize to the stranger with a manner
which although still somewhat sullen
and not particularly well-bred, showed
rather more grace and sense OF pro-
priety than his previous demeanor had
promised.
Eyes, yes; l beg your pardon. You
must excuse my hastiness. | am very
glad if they have been of any service
to you. People who come here have
to take the rough-thaC's me, with the
smooth-that's my wife and uncle
Pray stay and dine with me; l shall
be heartily glad of your company"
Thank you very much said Anna
thwaite, speaking still rather stif1y
81 dined at Mereside some time ago
and must get to Branksome tonight
If Mrs Crosmont will allow me"
He turned to the lady, and stopped
short Her eyes, which began to fas
cinate him by an eloquence which
seemed to him preternatural, locke
straight into his and commanded hin
to stay. There was a rather awkwar'
pause, which was broken by Uncl
Hugh. whose abrupt but genial vote
struck upon the ear with a certai
responsiveness, which suggested tina
he was in the habit of remaining O
the alert to resolve family discords a
he"saw the opportunity
Come. DR.. Armathwaite. you won
want us all to go down on our knee
to induce you to stay, I'm sure. w
have a reputation for hospitality I
keep up, and we should have each
do private penance if we let you 6
before morning. Come now. sa
you're persuaded"
He passed his arm through that
the young man, and as his nephe
had now recovered from his illtemp'
enough to echo the hospitable wore
with a moderately good grace. Arm
thwaite allowed himself to vie
without much difficulty. and witho
hetraying his secret eagerness for
better acquaintance with the int
esting household. In a verv few mi
utes it became clear to the visit
that his presence was a welcome l
lief. even to the surly host h:mse
who explained that he had been Ia
at work all day riding about the esta
On his various duties. and that
life. involving as it did long waltz