Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-02-22

MIS- lace. Inc SIEL answer was
softly Apologize.
My mistress is not at home" The
reply which followed was preceded
by a laugh.
you know better, janet. Tell her
II wish to see her Tel her, also, that
it is matter Of importance"
But I have said that she is not at
home. But OF course she will be here
in the morning and you can then
communicate with her I have no
doubt she viii be pleased to hear from
you
In the instant of heavy hanging 81
lence which followed I shot a glance
at Mrs Dace. She had leaned slight
" forward, her hands clenched and
her ears strained in the direction Of
the door Then the notes of the man
arose again, a sullen growl sounding
through them.
Did she order you tell me this non
sense or are you acting upon your
own responsibility" The voice of
the yellow girl, heretofore respect
full, took on a cold insolence.
THAT is a matter for you to form
your own opinion about. At least am
willing to accept any responsibility
for what I may tell you. You may
ask her concerning it when you see
her again"
Plainly and distinctly Mackay
swore, and I saw the door yield slight
ly to the pressure of a heavy hand
from without In the twinkling of an
eye the maids slender figure became
that of an enraged panthress, and her
tones rang out with positive vicious
ness. II you try to force your way
in here against me I viii have you
thrown head and heels into the street
by the employees. Release that door
instantly"
He swore again, the pressure ceased
and l heard his heavy step as it re-
/ treated down the hall In a trice the
maid had closed the door behind him
and stood before US with hot flush
upon her face and her eyes alight.
Mrs. Dace drew a long breath and her
form and features softenel Once
more she became the low-spoken, per-
fectly self-cOntrolled woman Of the
1 minute before. You did very WELL
Janet. l think that is all for the pres
ent. You may retire now" Noigeless-
ly the girl slipped past us and disap-
peared behind the portiere.
I turned to her mistress. what
does this mean, Matter" / asked quiet
Iy, but with the sickening sensation
that I had experienced once before
making my knees weak and my throat
dry She faced me with an almost
| imperceptible lifting of her eyebrows
and shoulders.
80 far as I know it means nothing
except that Mr. Mackay has been
drinking and wished to see me for
some reason of which I am as ignor-
ant as you are"
But at this hour of the night! 1t
seems strange that even a man like
him should have the presumption to
call l think under the circumstances
l have a right to inquire. Does he
sometimes do such things?"
He never has before He had no
right to do so now If it is matter
of important business he should have
notified me of his coming at least a
| few moments in advance.
But what business could he pos
sibly wish to confer with you about
at such a time of night that could not
! be transacted over the telephone?"
I pursued unhappily. She waved her
hand
L am sure that I am as ignorant
and disturbed over the affair as you
can possibly be- When I see him
/ again I shall demand an explanation.
! Then l will be able to tell you
And those rings-they sounded al
most like a signal-one short and two
long ones"
| 1T is one of his pecuIiarities. l
think he so announces himself every
where" She came close beside me,
dropping her hand upon my shoulder.
You told me once that you would
never mistrust me again You are do
| ing so now. l cannot wholly control
the actions of others, and there are
reasons why I do not wish to quarrel
with Mr.. Mackay unless l am driven
to it. Your jealousy may ruin our
prospects and make us bad friends
after all, do not feel fattered by
it."
I got upon my feet and slipped my
arm about her You must forgive
me once more, dearest While I ad-
NIT that my love is Jealous one, yet
where my heart is my faith also re-
poses. I trust you implicitly and will
ask you nothing further. I was very
much surprised, that is all"
She smiled upon me with a sweet
ness that was Incompatible, and for an
instant her palms held my cheeks.
You had better go now, Tom. 1t real
ly is late and I am just plain, physic-
ally tired. You may kiss me good
night if you wish-just once"
She turned her cheek-to me and my
lips paid reverential tribute to It.
She accompanied me to the door, her
hands locked above my elbow, blew
me a farewell from finger tips that
touched her lips and disappeared be
hind the oaken panel. Sobered of
| spirit by the occurrence of a few
minutes before, and despite myself
somewhat depressed by thoughts
which. Notwithstanding the fact that
would not permit them to crowd
themselves into my brain, nevertheless
lowered UPON the horizon of it,
started homeward on brisk walk aft.
| er having ordered the car, now hers
to one of the garages within the build,
ing A vacant lot with a path cutting
diagonally across it spread itself be
fore me, and in accordance with my
usual custom l took this short cut as