Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-10-20
OH pTER XVI

will Mr.. Mallett call on Messrs.
DAVIS & Raven, at their Offices, 16 LIE
man street, e. c., between and 3
o'clock to-day? They have private in
formation of the greatest value to i'm
part to him."
Ethel leaned over her fathers shout
der and read the telegram.
What can it mean, papa? It's very
mysterious. Shall you so? 1 wish you
would take me with you. I shall be in
such state of excitement until you
come back"
Il could not think of taking you to
place l know nothing Of, my dear 1t
might be inconvenient to have you with
me-"
why, papa, l believe you are excited
and curious! 1t is the first time l ever
saw you so interested"
Yes, l am curious. 1t strikes me as
odd that, after living an uneventful life
for the last twenty years, l should one
day break my vow as to never revisiting
Mallingford Park unless as its owner
and the next day receive this curious
message l dare say it is only a coinci-
dence but still it is strange and l can't
help connecting the one event with the
other"
Surely there was some strangely ex-
hilara ting quality in the atmosphere this
morning, for Ethel went about her bust
ness in a brisker manner than she had
lately. Her nerves were a little bit I'M
strung. too, for, when about o'clock
there came a very decided rat-a-tat-tat
at the door, she was worked up to such
a state of extreme expectation that she
-, ,nI- h l..
usual post of observation, the stair head
and was surprised, pleased, sorry, dis
turbed, all in moment, at the sight of
Captain Polling.
She was almost tempted to send him
message to the effect that she could not
see him Just then; but she had horror
of deception, and indeed she was really
glad to see him again. A few seconds
later she was shaking hands with him.
and her shyness had completely van
ished.
After the question as to sport there
was an awkward little pause, and Ethel
felt her heart quicken with dread Shak-
ing herself free from this feeling. she
turned to her visitor.
You have not asked why papa is not
at home" she remarked, with a deter
minatlOn TO aNolu peISOidI topics.
ITO be sure! 1t is Saturday! | had
forgotten! And why is he not at homer"
II will show you why" and she
fetched the telegram and gave it to him.
How mysterious, Quite like an
event in novel. Has Mr.. Mallett any
idea as to what it meansY
Not a bit! I'm expecting him home
soon, and then we shall hear all about
it."
''In which case l had better be off.
1t may be private family business, yon
know
81 don't think papa would mind your
knowing. He looks upon you as sim
cere friend. You are the only one he
has cultivated within my memory
Poor Ethel! She had unwittingly
brought down an avalanche upon her
self
'You see, he has a treasure beyond
price in his keeping and he guards it
jealously."
For moment the drift of his remark
did not strike her; she concluded he was
alluding to the secret of her fathers
birth, which she had thought was
known only to Lord Summers. She was
surprised that he should know the Sc
cret; but she said nothing, and quietly
awaited an explanation.
Polling was slightly disconnected by
her unexpected silence and her inquiring
gaze. He felt that he had committed
himself in some way, and honestly re-
GREETED that he had been so indiscreet