Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-05-03

ised. Vernon Dalrymple never goes
back from his word. How | hate that
girl with her confidence and pride in
his love. Let US see if her trust OF
which she boasts will stand her now IN
good stead. Who knows but what may
win him yet? At any rate, shall
make her suffer-"
Meanwhile Vernon, as yet in happy
ignorance of the trouble fate was pre-
pairing for him, had given up all hope
of his tete-a-tete with Val, as one after
another the guests assembled in the
draWing-room; she only making her
appearance few minutes before din
ner was announced. At the first touch
of her fingers on his arm as they went
into dinner, he felt that something was
wrong. He glanced ather earnestly,
put her face was averted.
"What made you forget your. ap-
pointment with me, dear?" he asked In
low tones as they seated themselves at
table.
81 did not forget" answered Val,
scorning to make an excuse.
"No," in some surprise. " sup
pose something detained you then.
will forgive you this time, but I don't
know that / shall be SO lenient again"
and he emilcd tenderly down on her.
To his dismay it won no response.
Val had not yet recovered from the
unpleasant shock her feelings had re-
ceived, but she was too angry, too puz-
zled to clearly define her thoughts: she
was chiefly conscious OF an intense
hatred and jealousy of Mrs. Maitland.
It was scarcely wonderful that she
should be silent and distracted during
dinner, but the party was too large and
too animated for this to be noticed save
by two Of its members.
'Dalrym ple," said Sir Harry March
mont, claiming that gentlemen's atten-
ton, was introduced to-day to a
brother of yours. Did you know he
was III these parts?"
"My brother Hubert, [ suppose? I
remember now his telling me he was
going to stay with some friends of his,
the Sinclairs, but I did not know their
place was near here"
"Only half an hours drive" returned
Sir Harry. "He's a confoundedly hand
some fellow-I should say great fa-
vorite with the fair sex. I asked him
over to breakfast tomorrow and to
spend the day. He told me he had not
yet made the acquaintance of his fu-
ture sister-in-iaw."
mo, to be sure. Hubert is the only
one of us you don't know" said Vernon
turning to Val. Il think you will like
him. He's an awfully good natured
fellow, little spoiled, perhaps, but &C.
cording to Sir Harry that is hardly to
be wondered at"
Walls face, however, plainly express
ed entire indifference to Hubert Dali
rynnple's merits or dement's.
When the gentlemen returned to the
drawing-rocm, DaIrymgle made his
way at once to Val, who was sitting
somewhat apart, and, bending over her,
said In low tone:
"What is amiss with you. DEAF? You
do not seem yourself this evening"
1t was likely, Val thought, that she
should be herself when she had seen
that creature, as she inwardly designa-
ted Mrs. Maitland, standing by his
side, holding his hands and making eyes
at him positively, as thought she had
the right TO do so. She could bear it
no longer; she must have aexplana-
ton at once, she resolved.
"Come out on the terrace" she said,
rising impetuously. Il want to speak
TO you"
He followed her obediently, and
when they were beyond sight or hear
ing of any one, said gently:
"Well, what is troubling you, dear p
"Nhat is there between you and Mrs.
Maitland asked Val, fixing her clear
glance on him, as she abruptly plunged
Sin medals res"
Captain Dalrymple regarded her in
unfelgned establishment. "What is
there between Mrs. Maitland and me?"
he repeated slowly. 'tMy dear Val, l
don't understand you"
sAnd / don't understand you," hotly
responded the young lady. "You can
not deny, Vernon, that when you met
Mrs. Maitland you looked very, very
taken aback."
81 have no wish to deny anything,
VAL" he answered; sit is true / was
somewhat surprised to see Mrs. Matt.
land"
But why should you be more sur
prised to see her than any other &C
quaintance?"
Dairy mple heaved faint sigh mat
tiers were getting serious.
"My dear VAL" he said half playful
ly, "you are surely not going to quarrel
with me on account of Maitland. did
not think you were given up to jeal-
ousy."
Jealousy" repeated Val, giving her
disturbed feelings full vent. "I have a
right to be jealous, think, when I see
another woman whom ] did not even
know to be acquainted with you, hold
ing an Interview with you OF apparent
ly most intimate nature"
So here was the explanation of Walls
conduct. DAlrymple looked what he
felt-thoroughly aghast.
Il see," he said after moment s
pause. "I'hat you have more cause
tor annoyance than l imagined. If I
cannot give you a very full explanation
of what am aware must appear strange
in your eyes. | am sure your conf
dence in me will enable you to accept
without hesitation what | am going to
say. | have known Mrs. Maitland for
years, and she wished to speak to me
alone On matter that concerns her
SELF"
"And was it necessary to the com
munication that she should hold your
hands?" asked Val sarcastically.
,Dalrymple looked at her with his
searching eyes.
81 see what is in your mind, VAL" he
answered quietly, ~but can hardly be-