Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-10-14

was most becoming. It's pale green
sheen contrasted with my brown hair
and eyes, and lent an ethereal aspect
to my pale, small-featured face. 1t
was when the evening was far adyanc-
ed, and Twas dancing with the Bavar-
ian, that suddenly familiar voice
struck upon my ear. looked up and
saw-Lord Stolholm. He stood near
me in company with some eminent
gentlemen. He saw me, bowed quiet
", and after the dance came and spoke
with me. He was changed and looked
pale and worn. His manner was kind
but constrained. / felt the barrier
that existed between Erene's lover and
myself I asked if Irene was still IN
Paris, and he briefly replied YES"
He disappeared soon after, and | felt
as though a tempest had passed over
dead. As the night advanced, feeling
strange and alien to this crowd OF for
eigners, | stole softly out alone on to a
deserted balcony. The stiffness of the
moonlit night soothed me, and as | lis
tened to the soft splash of the foun-
tains playing in the garden below, /
murmured within myself at the fate
which carried me into foreign lands.
The one longing of my soul was to re-
turn to America or England. [ de-
seconded the balcony and wendell my
way through one of the labYrinthine
paths of the shrubberied garden.
Lights cleaned everywhere between
the dark-green foliage, and the afoun-
tains glistened and statues stood out
cold and white in the light of the moon.
[ gathered the sheen of my ball robe
about me and seated myself upon the
ledge of an artificial grotto. ooh,
why" [ murmured, had my old love
shown himself to me for one feeting
moment and then vanished? Why
speak to me when he was 10 longer
mine? Did he ever think of me, or had
[ been merely the toy of the passing
hour? 1t would seem that | had; and
yet how strangely he looked at me to-
night! Would it have all been we'll if [
had but sent him a note when | left
Paris? But surely Erene would have
told him where | WaSl Surely she would
not be so cruel as to withhold my add
dress had he asked it! But why do /
talk thus, forsooth? Foolish heart! do
not harbor such a thrill of hope. He
is bound to another-he cannot be
yours. To you he is ost-lost-lostr'
And the shuddering night-air soughed
away through the frs in a sad echo
that sounded its sepulchraI murmur
dee p within my soul.
From my despair [ was startled by
the sound of voices approaching. They
were male voices, and as [ was hidden
from view, believed l could remain
undisturbed. Very soon they reached
a spot near me were the path assumed
sudden curve, and instead of passing
on they stopped suddenly, and | recog-
nized the voices us belonging to the
Bavarian and his companion. They
were angry and were disputing, but [
could not hear their words. Presently
their tones grew louder, and [ heard
the Hollander say, Il know your ways,
Holstein of old, you are misleading her
you chide me for your own advance
ment." | heard a start and fierce
hiss from the Bavarian, instantly follow
ed by mighty oath and the rattle of
his sword. leaped from my seat and
rushed out between them, crying,
'Holdn Would you kill each other %
only in time, however, to see the sword
of the Bavarian cleaning over his head
as he fell dead at my feet Although
quicker than the Hollander, his stroke
had been too rash and missed its aim,
and before he could regain himself for
another, the first cool stroke ofthe Hol-
lander had pierced him to the heart
The latter, seeing he was discovered
Immediately fled, and [ essayed to
reach the house, but fell midway up
| the path In a sWOOn.
When consciousness returned, it was
to feel some one lifting me tenderly il
his arms, and to hear words uttered in
a voice strangely familiar to my ears.
MY God is she killed ?-my little
| love! my darling" cried the voice
| opened my eyes and they met
Lord Stolholm's. ooh, it is a dream,
/ thought, and closed my eyes again
But no, it could not be. | felt his arms
about me still, and his face bending
close over mine in the quiet solitude tC
which he had borne me-
Odd they find him ?" l asked, ex-
citedly, looking round.
Find whom ?" he asked.
''The Bavarian. The Hollander killed
him, and he is lying by the grotto."
! He thought / was delirious, and
| tried to sooth me. At last | made him
understand the scene [ had witnessed
| He conveyed me to the house, and
after notifying the proper authorities
again sought me alone. The news he
| bod communicated co1cnd ornat ay
element, but, by means Of Lord Stol-
| hOlm's caution, my name was kept out
of the tragic account.
II cannot hope to com fort you oven
| the loss of one to whom the love oil
your heart was given" began Lord Stol-
| holm
'The love ofmy hearth" I repeated
bewildered. II don't understand you
Lord StOlhOlm."
pardon me, but were you not aft
anced to the Bavarian! 1t was so re-
ported"
"Nevcr" l exclaimed, nor ever cared
for him IN the least, though | am sorry
for him now"
"And it is possible you are then
free?"
"Quite free, ard have always been
Lord Stolholm"
Strange Your cousin Erene told
me when you left Paris that you were
summoned to the sick-bed of your
lover, and hearing that you were be
trothed to the Bavarian, it seemed, OF
course, only too true"
Il have never been betrothed to any
! ID Evro,,o'S J11Y1licity