Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-09


complain, however. Nay, [ would even
ask you to look upon me at least as a
! friend"
L shall always regard you as
friend" Florence responds in a low
voice. 1T would be impossible to me
to look upon you in any other light"
THANK you for that" says Adrian
quickly. Though our lives must of
necessity be much apart, it will still be
comfort to me to know that at least,
wherever you may be, you will think of
me as friend"
"Ah," thinks Florence, with a bitter
pang, "he is now trying to let me know
! how absurd was my former idea that
! he might perhaps learn to love mel"
This thought is almost insupportable.
| Her pride rising in arms, she subdues
| all remaining traces of her late emo
ton, and, turning suddenly, cOnfrOnts
him. Her face is quite colorless, but
| she can not altogether hide from him
| the sadness that still deSoIateS hsr
eyes.
| future our lives will indeed be far dis
tant from each other, so far apart that
the. very tie of friendship will readily
| be forgotten by us BOTH"
| Florence, do not say thatl" he en-
treats, believing in his turn that she
| alludeS to her coming marriage with
his cousin. And and-do not be an
| CRY with me; but I would ask you to
consider long and earnestly before TAX
Ing the step you have in view. Re-
member it is bond that once sealed
can never be Cancelled"
"A bond! / do not follow yOu," eX-
claims Florence beWildered.
"Ah, you will not trust me; you will
not cOnfde in mel"
II have nothing to colfde," persists
FLORENCE, still deeply puzzled.
We'll, let it rest So" returns Adrian,
now greatly wounded at her deter
mined reserve, as he deems it. He calls
to mind all Mrs Talbot had said about
least he has not deserved diStruSt at
her hands. promise me-" he entreats
at last, that, if ever you are in danger,
! you will accept my help"
Il PROMISE" she replies family. Then
trying to rally her dropping spirits, she
continues, with an attempt at smile,
! Tell me that you will accept mine
should you be in any danger. Remem-
Der, the mouse once rescued the iOn!"
and she smiles again, and chances at
| him with touch Of her old archness.
1T is a bargain, And now, will you
rest here awhile until you feel quite re-
stored to calmneSs?
But you must not remain with me-"
Florence urges hurriedly. "YOur guests
are awaiting you. PrObably"--With a
faint smile-'yOur partner for this
waltz is impatfently wondering what
| has become of YOU"
Il think not" says Adrian, returning
her smile. fortunately I have no
| ones name on my card for this waltz
[ say fortunately, because I think"-
| ole OF IO1. foT, II
able to bring back the smiles to your
face sooner than would have been the
case had you been left here alone to
brood over your trouble, whatever it
may be-"
There is no trouble" declares Flor
ence, in somewhat distressed fashion,
turning her head reStlessly to one SIDE.
81 wish you would diSpOSSeSS Yourself
Of that idea. And, do not stop here,
they-eYery one, will accuse you of dis
courtesy if you absent yourself from
the ballroom any longer"
Then, come with me-" says Adrian.
'See, this waltz is only just beginning:
give it to me-"
Carried away by his manner, she lays
| her hand upon his arm, and goes with
him to the ballroom. There he passes
his arm around her waist, and present
| ly they are lost among the thrOng Of
Whlrling dancers, and both give them
selves up for the time being to the
mere delight of knowing that they are
| together.
Two people, seeing them enter thus
together, on apparently friendly terms,
regard them with hostile chances. Dora
Talbot, who IS coquetting sWeetly with
a gaunt man of middle age, who is evil
IDENTIFY OVerpOWered by her attentions,
letting her eyes rest upon Florence as
she WaltZes past her with Sir Adrian,
cOlOrs warmly, and, biting her lip, for
| gets the hOneyed speech she was about
tie beStoW upon her companion, who is
the owner of q considerable property,
and lapSeS into silence, for which the
gaunt man is deYoutly grateful, as it
| gives him a moment in which to reflect
| on the safest means Of getting rid of
| her without delay.
Dora's fair brow grows darker and
! darker as. she watches Florence, and
notes the smile that lights on her beau
tlful face as she makes some answer to
one of Sir Adrian'S SallieS. Where is
! Dynecout, that he has not been on the
! spot to prevent this dance, she won
ders. She grows angry, and would
| have stamped her little foot with i'm
! patient wrath at this moment, but for
the fear of displaying her veXation.
AS she is inWardly matchmaking
| ARTHUR he energies from the thrOng,
and, the dance being at an end, re-
minds Miss Delmaine that the next is
! his
Florence unwillingly removes her
| hand from Sir Adrian's arm, and lays
it upon Arthur's. Most disdainfully
she moves away with him, and suffers
him to lead her to another part of the
| room. And when she dances with him,
| it is with evident reluctance, as he
knows by the fact that she visibly
shrinks from him when he encircles her
waist with his arm.
Sir Adrian, who has noticed none Of
these symptoms, going up to Dora, So
licits her hand for this dance.
you are not engaged, hope?" he
says anXi0usly. 1t is kind of wretch
ed comfort to him to be near Florence's
true friend. If not the rose, she has
at least some connection with it.
Il am afraid am" Dora responds,
raising her limpid eyes to his. 'Naugh-