Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-07-27

blushing with vexation. Mr. Gornly
forgive me. l forgot that you did not
know my family"
I have seen them often in the
store, Miss Haldane, and have even
waited upon some of them in other
days myself" replied Gormly, quite as
cold and formal in his manner as any
one in the room.
Nevertheless want the pleasure
Of presenting you to my mother. Mr.
George Gormly, mother, my very good
friend"
Mrs. Haldane drew herself up.
GOrmly bowed himself down in a bow
most carefully calculated to express a
proper degree of appreciation Of the
honor and nothing more.
My friend, Miss Stewart; my IA
Their, and my brother, Mr. Livingstone
Haldane; DR.. Deyeaux"
The persons mentioned bowed cool
ly, except that Livingstone Haldane
infused a little more cordiality in his
recognition than the others did, while
DR.. Deveaux actually stepped forward
and extended his hand
My dear sir" he said genially, his
old face beaming with good nature
and genuine admiration, 81 am de-
lighted to have the privilege Of
shaking you by the hand. Anybody
who has the courage to attack the
Gotham Freight Traction company as
you have done in the papers may be
recognized as public benefactor
whom it is an honor to know"
Thank you said GormIy, grateful
for this recognition.
Sir" began Haldane, "an unfor-
tunate accident to our machine has
thrown US upon your hospitality. did
not know that my friend Goodrich had
sold this place Or"
Let that give you no concern, sir,
answered Gormly; 81 pray that you
! will consider the place and all in it
| as your own. l beg you will take off
your wraps and make yourselves en-
| tirely at home"
That's very handsome of you, am
| sure" continued the elder Haldane,
slowly removing his coat; "but my
| own place lies but six miles beyond
here, and if you will permit US to tele-
phone my stables, / think we shall
have to trouble you but little"
'The telephone is in the library
yonder, Mr.. Haldane, and is at your
| service as is everything in the house.
I regret that my own stables are not
yet furnished. The small station
wagon and pair which brought you up
are the only horses 1 have on the
place just now
"And jolly well crowded we were"
said young Haldane.
Meanwhile" continued Gormly,
may I ask have you had dinner? Can
l offer you anything to eat, Or"
1--WE thank you,' answered Mrs. Hal
dane, "but we dined at the Braddons
"a place five or six miles back-be-
fore we started"
"a cup of tea or a glass of wine
after your cold ride, then?' said
| Gormly.
THAT would be very nice, indeed"
said Miss Haldane. Louise, aren't
you simply dying for a cup of tea?"
"Perishing for lack of it," answered
Louise promptly.
| Gormly summoned the butler, gave
the necessary directions, showed Hal
| dane where the telephone was, invited
| the other men into the library also,
where there was well-stocked buffet
and excellent cigars; after which he
| showed the women into small recep-
| ton room on the other side of the
| hall, and left them to divest them
selves of their wraps.
The men refreshed themselves ac-
cOrding to their fancy at the buffet,
| lighted their cigars, which, as Chal-
| oner had been careful to send a sup
ply of Gormly's favorite and private
| brand. they found excellent, while Hal.
| dane vainly endeayored to get in CON-
munication with his own house. Such
was the severity of the storm for a
country i'll prepared for it, however,
| that the wires were broken in every
| direction. Even that to the lodge was
! found to be out Of order at last.
GOrmly had not waited at the IL
brary to hear the result of the tele.
phoning. AS soon as he had the men
comfortably provided for, he had gone
back to the great hall, which was
more of a living room than anything
else. The first of the women of the
party to present herself was Miss Hal
dane. She was in full evening dress.
! Her noble head rose grandly from her
| exquisite shoulders. In her dark hair
| she wore a diamond coronet. Her
dress, soft, shimmering stuff of white
| trailed behind her.
(TO BE CONTINUED)