Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-02

spend a winter with her; and Cora, full
of sweet womanly compassion, had
promptly sent money for her to come.
Il never had sister" wrote Cora,
land [ am sure that | shall love YOU
dearly"
And it was thus that Ariadne had re-
warded her. The old story over again
of the serpent who stings its benefac-
tor.
But although, Cora had been blind,
the rest of the world, like Miss Du-
chesne, were more clear-sighted.
Colonel Eayason, Mr.. Chesterton's
uncle, took him sternly to task for his
detection from the line of equity.
Duke laughed.
MY dear uncle" said be. '.you take
things too seriously: Cannot an engag-
ed man so much as look at another
woman?
But one day. in blossomy May, Col
.Onel NavasOn' card was brought up to
Miss Leslie.
Cora was preparing to 90 out with
Miss Duchesne for a drive. She was full
of bright happiness that morning, and
even Miss Duchesne breathed more free
", for Ariadne Buckingham had left
them the night before in response-so
ut least she gave them to understand
to a telegram from her father, who was
i'll. The nightmare dream was over at
Iast-all the world was May!
She ran down into the drawing-roOm,
where Colonel Vavason leaned against
the mantel, tall, pale, and handsome.
''Oh, Colonel, she said brightly. Il
am so glad to see you. Duke is coming
But she paused as her eyes fell on his
pale features, the look of mute horror in
his eyes
'Duke will never come here again,
said he in 4 low tone. ''Be a heroine,
Cora. Bear Your trouble bravely.. Duke
went away before daylight. He left q
note asking me to tell you. He loves
Ariadne Buckingham, and has followed
her to her hOmen'
And so Cora Leslie closed the chapter
of her first love--or, rather Marmaduke
ChestertOn closed it for her.
At the end of q year Marmaduke
Che5terton came back. He was not
married to Miss Buckingham after all,
The beautiful brunette had accepted his
presents, and smiled on him with those
melting eyes Of hers, amused herself at
his expense, and finally welded a young
lieutenant of artillery, to whom she had
been engaged for years. Duke was pale
and haggard as he stood there in the
boudoir, where he had first asked Cora
Leslie to be his wife.
R11+r 10, Ac
he looked at her he maryelled that he
could ever have cared for one like
Ariadne Buckingham.
Cora he said in broken voice,
rs she cordially gave him her hand,
''can you ever forgive me9'
''Oh yes, !" she answered, smilinS Il
forgave you long ago. And oh, how you
must have suffered, Duker'
But, he went eagerly on, Il am dis
enchanted now. My eyes are opened at
last. | know, now, that [ never really
loved anyone but you. Sweet Cora, is
1t too late to ask you TO renew our en-
gagement once more?"
Il am afraid it is said Cora, still
5erenely self-possessed and calm.
But why?" he urged.
Zone reason" answered Cora, sis
that I have long ceased to care Except,
of course, as friendD for the man who
loved Ariadne Buckingham better than
me. The other is that / am to be mar
ried next week to Colonel Vayason."
Tony uncle?"
YES" she answered ''to your uncle.
love and honor him as [ never loved
or hOnOred man befOre!''
So Marmaduke ChestertOn lost both
blonde and brunette, and Miss Du-
chesne was satisfied at last that her da1-
ling was wOrthily welded.