Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-11-13
q Woman' S F F ace
FLORENCE WARDEN
Continued.

parently been warned that she might |
be overheard; and Armathwaite
caught no word more, though faint |
tones Of their voices came to him
from time to time for the next few
minutes. Presently they both Joined !
him where he still sat watching the
group below, and Lady kildonan, who
seemed already to have recovered her
usual manner, except for a certain
Slight restlessness which betrayed
that she had been yielding TO some
violent emotion, told the young doc
tor that he must come down and be
introduced to her husand. He and
CrOsmOnt, who had not recovered his
cOmposure so entirely as the lady had
hers, followed her down the narrow
iron staircase into the tennis-court,
where, breaking up the group which
surrounded her husband, she tripped
gaily to him, and slipping her arm
within his, told him she had brought
a visitor to see him, who was almost
as learned as himself, and introduced
Armathwaite, who was stupefed with
surprise, both at the appearance Of
his host and the manner in which the
latter received him.
Instead of the cross grained, with
ered-looking person he had been led
by the description both of Lady Kill
donan and the villager Haynes to ex-
pect, he saw a tall, brOad-shOuldered,
fresh-colored man, with scant sandy
hair, and a plain Scotch face, the
features of which, hoWever-small
light eyes, short nose, long upper lip,
high check bones and all-seemed to
shine with an expression of mingled
shrewdness and kindness which
made the whole face irresistibly at
tractive, and caused ArmathWaite to
say to himself that either this was
one Of natures most grandly lowered
hypOcrites, or a good man. The
genial manner in which he extended
his hand to the young man, removing
his blue spectacles, as he said, Ito
have a look at new friend, once for
ALL" confirmed this impression, and
further observation during luncheon
resulted in the discovery that Lord
KildOnan, however much wrapped up
in his books he might be, had kindly
interest in outside things, but espe-
cially in everything that in the re-
hottest degree concerned his wife.
Whenever he spoke to her he lowered
his blue spectacles and looked over
them, with the graceful implication
that he appreciated her beauty too
highly to regard it through any dis
figuring medium; and when she was
speaking-she was very seldom silent
he would pause in his own talk to
listen to her voice, or glance at her
from time to time as If to assure her
that though his words might be for
somebody else, his thoughts all the
while were with her. 1t was natural
enough that this beautiful woman. In
the excitement of the discharge of her
duties as hostess, should take small
note of these things. But to Anna
thWaite. moved by the deep interest
in this household which the disclos-
ures concerning its inner history had
reused in him, the husbands solicit
tude and the wife's indifference were
suggestive facts. with a bearing upon
the mystery which was OBTAINING him
against his interests and almost
against his will at Mereside
When luncheon was over, Lord
Kildonan atfectiOnately asked his wife
how she was going to amuse herself
during the afternoon, and whether she
would drive him as far as PIasmere.
where he had some business.
on, Archibald, simply can't" she
answered at one Il am expecting
the Stanfords, and if | were to be out
when they came, Mrs. Stanford would
cut me for ever. Take Lady Greydon
or Aunt Theresa-and BERTHE South to
talk to YOU" she added in a low
voice.
NO; if you can't Some with me,
I'll put it off till tomorrow" replied
her husband Its not very urgent
matter. And will show Dr. Arma-
thwaite MY books he added. evil
IDENTIFY finding consolation in that
prospect.
"Oh, my dear Archibald, you
mustn't expect any man under fifty
to be as confirmed a bibliomaniac as
yourself! his wife cried, laughing.
Lord Kildonan smiled induIgetly,
but he WINGED, and Armathwaite
wondered how she could make so
Earring q speech. She turned to the
doctor and told him that when he had
had enough books he was to come to
the drawing-room and let himself
down to friyolity. Then she fitted
away to her other guests, and her
husband, gazing after her with
Wistfully admiring expression on his
homely features, asked his compan-
ion:
Are you married man, DR.. Arma-
thwaite?"
NO, not yet; in fact, I have no
thoughts of getting married at an"
"Ah, but that's bad Those thoughts
come to every man sooner or later,
and it's better for his happiness that
they should come soon than late. Not
but what you'll be a man more to a
lady's fancy at fifty than was at
five-and-twenty," he added, with a
good-humored glance of admiration at
the young fellows well-proportioned
figure and handsome face But II
wasn't such an old fossil as | am now
when | married, you understand; 1
had sort of seizure last autumn,
and all this winter l have been a