Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-03
SIR GEOFFREY'S GHOST.
tine Author of THAT Mysterious Major By Consent
THE Generals God Daughter Etc
CHAPTER VIII.


old of the billiard room, however, she re-
eretted that decision.
Grant was still looking weak and i'll
from the effects of his accident, and the
sling which kept his arm prisoner add
ed considerably to the pathos of his APP
uearance. But he rose to his feet at the
sound of her approach, and confronted
her with an expression which by no
means conceded with the tone of his
letter. There was nothing of the sup
picating lover in his manner now; he
had assumed new demeanor altogether.
Il received your letter Did you wish
TO speak to me?" demanded Phyllis,
standing Just inside the doorway, and
eyincing an evident desire to beat re-
treat as speedily as possible.
Yes, / have one or two things to say
TO YOU" returned Grant, in an equally
uncompromising tone, making not the
slightest attempt to conceal his evident
annoyance.
Then for heavens sake say Them"
was Phyllis quick retort. Il have only
a moment or two to spare" If Capt.
Grant was determined to be masterful, it
was easy to prove herself d match for
him.
81 am quite prepared to speak at once,
but the subject is not one which it would
be advisable to let the whole household
hear" responded Grant, crossing over to
the door, and without another word, clos
ing it with certainly unnecessary violence.
"The fact is, have already learned
the result of Vibart's interview with you,
and the answer which you have given
me: but that answer refuse to take UNI
til / am told upon what grounds my Of
fer is rejected"
An angry flush rose to the girls face.
And it is for this that you have
brought me here? l must have been mad
to take any notice of that message"
'Yet what else could you expect2 You
have refused me before, you have even
gone so far as to tell me that there was
no possibility of reconsidering your de-
csion; but hitherto you have always de-
cared that your determination to remain
unmarried was one of the principal rea-
sons for your rejection of me. Today,
however, it has just struck me that that
is not true now, if it ever was" he added,
turning upon her with world of con-
tempt in his tones. "You are in love
with that fellow Wharf"
Your accident has evidently affected
your brain, Capt. Grant" returned Phyl-
lis, with an angry flush.
1T is useless prevaricating; l am re-
solved to come to the point sooner or
later, so that you may as we'll confess
now," returned Grant emphatically.
you care for that guardian of yours,
know"
"And why should / not, 1 should like
to know? Is it so very wonderful if
| dor" questioned Miss Yelverton prompt
", Certainly Sir Ughtred is my best
friend; after my father he has done more
for me than anybody else in the world"
ooh, as for what he has done for you,
l cannot go into that!" Grant cried i'm
patiently. "What want to know is, do
you realize who this man is who has
been so fortunate"- spoke with a
slight suspicion of irony in his tone-"so
Ten years ago you were only a child, or
perhaps you might remember the mys-
ferrous circumstances under which the
late Sir Godfrey met his death"
"Oh, l know all about that!" inter
rupted Phyllis hastily DO you suppose
| have lived in this house month with
out hearing every likely and unlikely
version of the story?"
Then in that case you may probably
have heard of the suspicious which rest
upon his cousin, that worthy guardian of
yours" he continued, watching her keen
ly to see the effect that his words pro-
duced
Phyllis heart gave bound and then
beat madly on.
Il have heard the same silly gossip,
and so have you, l suppose" she replied,
with an affected carelessness.
And being thorough Tory, as your
father was, you believe nothing?"
And do you mean to say that you
Il believe in proofs"
When there are any But as it
IS"
oh, of course, you are infatuated with
your guardian and think him immacu-
late; but be warned in time!" answered
Grant, in slow emphatic tones. Ten
years ago there were very few links miss
ing IN the chain of evidence; but at the
present time that chain is so far com
plete as lowell, we will not say to
hang Sir Ughtred, but at any rate to
make matters decidedly uncomfortable
Tor him. And this" he added, with an
AR of tragedy which would have done
credit to Irving himself, "this is the man
whom am to consider my rival"
Il do not believe you'll" cried Phyllis
Vehemently, almost before he had reached
the end of his sentence. 81 do not be-
leve a word you say" Then, drawing
herself up to her full height, and regard
1ng him with the utmost scorn, she added, |
there is not grain of truth in your
lnsmuations; it is all horrible, ridiculous
gossip, and l wonder-yes, l wonder, /
now you can bemean yourself by repeat
An. you are infatuated, | knew you
|ere!" said Grant tauntingly. you will
'eheYe nothing wrong of this wonderful |
paragon of yours-you are hopelessly /
bind to all his failings! And yet" he /