Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-12-12
CHAPTER TX

There are some men who have so little
sele-respect that they do not keep up a
decent pretence of virtue when the object
is achieved for which it was first assumed,
and Lynn Yeames was one of these. He
already took upon himself the airs of mas
ter in that house, and with grand pat
some refreshment. / complied, for after
the shaking l had received l was in no
mood to refuse.
We went into the sitting room. Laure
was lying on the couch holding the hand
Of Miss Dalrymple, who sat on a stool
by her side.
"Oh, haven't you got all that over
YETI" Lynn asked petulantly, glancing at
them. Sit down, Keene." He touched
the bell. It's absurd nonsense to en-
courage morbid feeling and mawkish SEN
timent about a thing that's been fore
seen for weeks-an inevitable thing
A little refreshment for Mr.. Keene" The
latter addressed to the servant who came
to the door. Il say it's nonsense ~
Lynn" said Miss Dalrymple, in a
tone of mingled surprise, regret and re-
monstrance.
Il say it's nonsense" he repeated
harshly, land you ought to know it, Ger
trude, with your experience; the child has
been petted and pampered till she's I'M
healthy It's exactly what my mother
has maintained all along. However, l
shall alter all that-the girl will be peck-
ed off to a good, wholesome boarding
school as soon as the funeral is over"
Miss Dalrymple looked perfectly amaz-
ed by this extraordinary outburst: she
could not understand the meaning of if.
could we'll enough. Mr.. Yeames had
already thought better of his proposal to
make the penniless Miss Dalrvmnle q
partaker in his fortune, and did not care
how soon there should be a breach be-
tween them. 1t was this rather than any
sudden fit of dislike to Laure which had
led him TO make this savage onslaught.
Laure chung closer than ever to her
only friend, and looked in terror at LYNN.
Miss Dalrymple held her hand firmly. The
servant brought in the tray and l helped
myself. Lynn waited till the servant
was gone, and then, going to the win
dow. said:
Il shall go over and fetch Awdrey.
l. q
once. Go and get my hat from the IL
brary, Laure. The child sprang up and
sped from the room to fetch the bully's
hat; Miss Dalrymple stood with heaving
and close-pressed lips, and not particle
of color in her face. She could not speak
before me.
lynn met her calm gaze with bent
brows, and turned again to the window,
Ticking his handkerchief from his side
pocket in manner which by itself was
insolent and offensive.
But in doing this he ficked a little
pellet of paper out. 1t fell against my
toe. and l quickly covered it with my
foot The next moment he thrust his
hand sharply in the pocket from which
he had fiicked out this pellet, then shook
his handkerchief and looked about the
floor at his feet.
What dreadful weather, Miss Dalrym-
pie" said [. setting down my glass.
Lynn Yeames went hastily from the
room, snatching his hat out of Laure's
hand as he passed. 1 picked up the pellet
of paper and slipped it into my waistcoat
pocket.
oh, is this true, dear-is it true?''
cried little Laure under her breath, as
she joined Miss Dalrymple. will he
send me away from you? Will he part
u.s."
NO, my child" said 1, going up TO
them. Take this assurance from an old
man who loves you for your fathers sake,
and Nurse Gertrude for her own-you
shall not be parted.
l left them. AS passed through the
hall I caught sight of Lynn Yeames on
the landing above with lighted candle,