Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
The Haunted Chamber.
BY "TaK DUTCHESS."
Continued. |

He looks at it, and finds it indeed full.
u am an unfortunate" he adds.
Il think" says Dora, with the pref
test hesitation, IF you are sure it
would not be an unkind thing to do, I
could scratch out this name"--pOinting
to her partners for the coming dance.
Il am not sure at all" responds Sir
Adrian, laughing. Il am positive it
will be aWfully unkind Of you to de-
prive any fellow Of your society; but be
unkfnd, and scratch him out for my
sake"
He speaks lightly, but her heart beats
high with hope.
"FOr your sake" she repeats softly
drawing her pencil across the name
written on her programme and substi-
Suting his.
"But you will give me more than this
one dancer" queries Adrian. us there
nobody else you can condemn to mis-
cry out of all that list?"
"You are Unsuitable" She returns,
bluShing and growing confused. But
you shall have it all your own way.
Here giving him her card-"taIe
what WaltZeS you will" She WaltZeS to
perfection, and she knows it.
Then this, and this, and this" says
Adrian, striking out three names on
her card, after which they move away
together and minglG with the other
dancers.
In the meantime, Florence growing
fatigu6d, or diSinclined to dance lon
ger with DynecOurt, stops abruptly
near the door of a conservatory, and,
leaning against the framework, gaZeS
with GstlesS interest at the busy scene
around.
"You are tired. VIII you rest for
aWhilep asks Arthur politely; and, as
she bends her head in cold consent, he
leads her to cushioned seat that is
placed almost opposite to the doorway,
and from which the ballroom and
what is passing within it are distinctly
visible.
Sinking down amongst the blue-satin
cushions of the seat he has pointed out
to her, Florence signs softly, and let's
her thoughts run, half sadly, half glad
ly, upon her late interview with Sir
Adrian. At least, if he has guessed
her secret, she knows now that he does
not despiSe her. There is no trace of
contempt in the gentleness, the tender
ness of his manner. And how kindly
he has told her of the intended change
IN his life! Their paths would lie far
asunder for the future" he had said,
or something tantamOunt to that. He
spoke no doubt OF his coming marriage.
~ upon the sort Of woman who would
be happy enough to be his wife. She ID
still idly Illuminating on this point
when her companions voice brings her
back to the present. She had SO far
forgotten his existence i'll her day
dreaming that his words come to her
like whisper from some other world,
and occasion her an actual shock.
Your thOughtfulneSS renders me
sad" he is saying impreSSively. ut
carries you to regions where [ can not
follow you"
To this she makes no reply, regard
ing him only with calm questioning
glance that might well have daunted q
better man. 1t only nerves him how
ever to even holder words.
"The journey your thoughts have
taken-has it been a pleasant Onew he
asks, smiling.
Il have come here for rest, not for
conversation" There is undiSguiSed
dislike in her tones. Still he IS IN
touched by her scOrn. He even grows
more defiant, as though determined to
let her see that even her aVOWed hatred
can not subdue him.
eff you only knew" he goes on, with
slow meaning, regarding her rs he
speaks with critical admiration, chow
surprisingly beautiful you look to-
night, you would perhaps understand
in degree the power you possess over
your felloW-creatures. In that attitude,
with that slight touch of ScOrn upon
your lips, you seem a meet partner for
q monarch"
She laughs a low contemptuoug
laugh, that even makes his blood run
hOtly in his veins.
And yet you have the boldness to
offer yourself as an aspirant to my
fayor| she says. In truth, sir, you
value yourself highlyw
Love will find the Way!" he quotes
quickly, though plainly Disconnected by
her merriment. and in time | trust I
shall have my reward"
In time, | trust you WILL" she re-
turns, III tone impossible to miscon-
Strue.
At this point he deems it wise to
change the subject; and, as he halts
rather lamely in his cOnYers alton. at a
loss to find some topic that may in
terest her or advance his cause, Sir Adj
flan and Dora pass by the door Of the
conservatory.
Sir Adrian is smiling gayly at some
little speech of Dora's, and Dora is
looking up at him with a bright express
sion in her blue eyes that tells Of the
happiness she feels.
"Ah, can not help thinking Adrian
is dong very wisely" observes Arthur
Dynecourt, some evil genius at his ell
bow urging him to lie.
"Doing-Nhat?" asks his companion,
reused suddenly into full life and in
tereSt.
You pretend ignorance, no doubt
smiling. But one can see. Adrian's
marriage with Mrs. Talbot has been
talked about for some time amongst
his intimateS"
A clasp like ice seems to seize upon
Miss Delmaine'S heart as these words
drop from his lips. She restraints her
emotion brayely, but his lynx-eye reads
her through and through.
They seem to be more together to-
night than is even usual with them"
goes on Arthur blandly. Before you
honored the room with your presence,
he had danced twice with her, and now
again. 1t is very marked, his attention
tonight"
As a matter of fact Adrian had not
danced with Mrs. Talbot all the even
ing until now, but Florence, not Rav-