Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-05-17

Will lose the wager, 6ZQl2a mia
"My dear Florence, how you fright
ened me?"
"Never mind-kush here they come:
now take papa to the ball room for my
boa and leave the rest to me-"
Emma did as she was desired and
fo1bore to ask any questions until they
got hons E; then she anxiously enquired
did he propose?"
"No! provoking men! but very nearly.
Did not faint well?"
eyes, but it viii not do, Florence:
that man does not care for you."s
"Never mind that, he shall propose"
"But you do not care for hinn?"
"Qu' impCrte? he shall propose"
"Never."
II will make him remember this is
only the first ball ofthe season."
Lady Monteagle gave fete at her
villa at Putney. Mr.. and Mrs. Neville
were there of course. Florence had an
exquisite boquet but she saw Lord
Clyde advancing toward her; therefore
she prudently dropped it into the cen
ter of large myrtle bush.
"You have not boquet, Miss Neville"
was one of his lordship's first remarks,
"are you not fond of fowers?"
eyes, passionhtely," said Florence.
"but [ have lost mine. 7 am sorry,
for | fear I shall not find another go
beautiful"
"Wil you allow nue. to endeavor to
supply It's place with this?' was the in
slant reply.
Florence smiled and blushed SIS she
took it; the smile was art, but the
blush was nature, for she could not
help it. Lord St. Clyde's eyes were
fixed on her face, and the next mo-
ment she found herself walking with
him while Mr.. Neville was speaking to
the hostess, whose gaunt daughter was
looking very spiteful. Florence played
her part to admiration. Lord ST..
Clyde was in her power, for she had
engaged him in an animated Irritation.
They were standing on the brink of a
beautiful fountain, when the earl ex-
claimed:
"Do you know the language of
flowers. Miss Neville?"
NO." said Florence, "but it must be
very pretty; do you know it, my lord?'
eyes, by heart"
"Then tell me what these flowers
mean" exclaimed the beauty quite in
nOcentiy, as she offered him his boquet,
which was composed of white rose, q
pink rosebud, some myrtle and one gera.
mum. The earl nesitated and laughed,
then suddenly recovering himself, he
said: "Tney speak In their simple Ian
guage the sentiment that | dare not in
words express"
Florence felt her heart beating, but
she only laughed; that laugh encourag-
ed the earl. Florence forgive me if"
"Ah, Miss Neville, have been look
ing for you everywhere, and here you
are, all alone" cried one of Florence's
gay trains, the elegant Sir Percy Hope.
''Oh, no; not alone" cried one of
Florence's gay train, the elegant Sir
Percy Hope.
ooh, no; not alone" said Florence,
rather annoyed, "Lord st. Clyde-why,
where is"
The earl was gone.
Florence, did Lord St. Clyde propose
to-day?' sad Emma to her cousin in
the evening.
"Not quite. but as nearly as possible
I declare I viii never speak to Sir
Percy Hope again!"
Time! time! Can nothing stay thee?
The season was passing rapidly, and
Florence had had four proposals; of
course she had refused them, although
they had not been rendered by the
earl of st. Clyde. Sill she said: "He
shall propose" until the last opera of
the season.
Pale, languid, but delicately beauti-
full aud petted, Florence leaned back in
her box, deaf to the strains Of the
syren Grisi, regardless Of the adalation
around her, and disguised with every
thing in the shape of gaiety. She
leaned back in her chair and closed
her eyes for a second. On opening
them she saw pair of dark eyes fixed
with more than common earnestness
on her face. 1t was Lord st. Clyde
those wild eyes could only belong to
him. What possessed Florence at that
moment? She did not bow; she did
not smile; she merely bent forward and
whispered the word of departure to
her chaperon; then winding her cash
mere around her, she placed her arm
within That of Sir Percy Hope and left
the box.
The next morning Florence was
really unwell. She said mot at home"
to everyone, and began to tune her
harp. String after string gave way as
she drew them up.
"Like me, poor harp" she sighed,
"you are sinking. spelling from ne
glect."
Suddenly the door opened and Wis
itor was announced.
mot at home," said Florence, hast
lily.
Pardon me, tor once I disobey,"
said voice, and Lord St. Clyde enter
ed. He continued: 81 have intruded,
| confess, bat it is only for moment.
1 come, Mss Neville, to wish you-to
bid you q long-and perhaps a last
farewell
FAREWELL" said Florence, dropping
her harp key: "this resolution has been
taken quite suddenly, has it not?"
NO." replied the earl; 81 an going
to seek IN Italy the happiness which
is denied me here"
"Italyl" exclaimed Florence, turn
ing her eyes ike melting sapphires on
the earl-"dear, bright, sunny Italy
my own fair land!"
SIS it yours, Miss Neville?' said st,
Clyde eagerly.
Yes, my lord, Florence was my
birthplace, and my home for fourteen
happy years"
Lord St. Clyde paused-nothing is so
aukUard q nql1sc IN tpfe-a-tpto.