Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-30


BILE, and have put his initials A. D. at
the end. And yet"-With a diabolical
smile-''it is no forgery either, as a. D.
are my initials also"
Opening the note with trembling I'm
gers, Dora reads aloud as follows:
''Can yOu-wilI you meet me tomorrow at
four o'clock in the lime-Walk? | have been
cold to you perhaps, but have [ not had
cause? You think my slight attentions to
another Bet0kenS q decrease in my love for
you, but III this, dearest, YOU are mistaken
l am yours heart and soul. For the present
| dare not declare myself for the reasons
you already know, and for the same reasons
am bound 70 keep up seeming friendIiuess
with some | would gladly break with alto
gether But | am happy only with YOU, and
happy too in the thought that our hearts
beat as one.
Yours forever, A. D."
Dora, having finished reading the let
ter, chances at him Igneasily.
"And-What is the meaning Of this
letter? What is it written for? What
am [ to do with itY she stammerS,
beating the precious missiye against
the palm Of her hand, as though in
lOathing of it.
"You will show it to her. You will
speak Of it as = - -a=14-<er written to
YOU by Adrian. You will consult her
accede to his proposal to meet you
alone in the Iime-Walk. You will, in
fact, put out all your powers Of decep-
ton, Which'-With a sneering smile
"are great, and so compel her to believe
the letter is from him to you"
But" falters Dora.
"There shall be no but in the mat
ter. You have entered into this affair
with me, and you shall pursue it to the
end. If you fail me, I shall betray
your share in it-mOre than your share
and paint you in such cOlOrs as will
shut the doors of society from you.
You understand now, do you?"
Go on says Dora, with colorless
lips.
'sAh, have touched the right chord
at last, have |? Society, your idol, you
dare not brave! Well to continue, you
will also tell her, in your own sweet in
nOcent Way"-With another Sneer that
makes her culver with fear and rage
EtO account for Adrian7S decided and
almost lOy2rlike attentions to her in
the room we visited, that you had had
q lovers quarrel with him some time
before, earlier in the day; that, in his
fit Of pique, he had sought to be re-
vengeG upon you, and Soothe his
sighted feelings by feigning q sudden
eyes" replies the submissive Dora.
Alas, how sincerely she now wishes she
had never entered into this hateful in
trigue!
Then when you have. carefully sown
GIl6So lies IN ner nearG, ana seen ner
proud face darken and culver with
pain beneath your WOrdS"-Oh, how his
own evil face gloWs with unhOly salts
faction as he sees the picture he has
Just drawn stand out clear before his
eyes!-"yOu will affect to be driven by
compunction into granting Sir Adrian's
supposed request, you will don your
walk to encOunter-me. If I am any
Judge of character, that girl, so haugh-
ty to all the world, will lower her pride
for her crushed lovers sake, and will
follow you, to madden herself with
your meeting with the man she loves.
To her, [ shall on this occasion repre-
sent Sir Adrian. Are you listeningp
She is misunderstanding with all her
might to the master mind that has her
in thral.
you will remember not to start
when you meet me" he continues,
issuing his commands with inSOlen6
assumption Of authority over the dain-
ty Dora, who up to this, mas been ac-
custOmed to rule it over others in
her particular sphere, and who now
chafeS and WrithoS beneath the sense
of slavery that is expressing her. you
will meet me calmly. ObliYiOuS Of the
fact that [ shall be clad in my Cousins
light OvercOat, the one of which Miss
Delmaine was gTaciOusly pleased to
say she approved yesterday morning"
His eyes light again with q revenge
full fire as he calls to mind the slight
praise Florence has bestowed in q very
casual fashion on his coat. Every
smile, every kindly word addressed by
this girl to his cousin, is treasured up
by him and dWelt upon in secret, to the
terrible strengthening Of the purpose
he has in view.
But if you should be seen-be
Marked" heSitates Dora family.
"PShaW-am [ one to lay my plans so
clumsily as to court discovery on even
the minutest p0int?" he interrupts i'm
patiently. when you meet me you
will-but enough Of this; [ shall be
there to meet you in the lime-Walk,
and after that you will take your cue
from me-"
sThat is all you have to say?" asks
Dora, anxious to quit his mated pres
encG.
For the present-yes. Follow my
instructions to the letter, or dread the
consequences. Any blunder in the per-
formance of this arrangement [ shall
lay to your charge"
you threaten, sir" she exclaims
angrily, though she
@Ief it be your care to see that I
do not carry out my threats" he re-
torts, with an insolent Shrug.
To be continued.