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

lower down. They hesitate, and, even
as they do so, they can see Arthur
Dynec0urt seize Florence Delmaines
hand, and, apparently unrebuked, kiss
it paSsiOnately.
"Then shall hope still" he says in a
low but impressive voice, at which the
two who have just entered turn and
beat precipitate retreat, fearing that
they may be seen. One is Sir Adrian.
the other Mrs. Talbot.
Dear me-" stammers Dora. in pretty
confusion, "who would have thought
it? | was never so amazed in nv life"
Sir Adrian, who has turned very
pale, and is looking greatly distressed,
makes no reply. He is repeating over
and over again to himself the words he
has just heard, as though unable and
unwilling to comprehend them. II care
nothing for Sir Adrian!" They strike
like q knell upon his earS-a death
knell to all his dearest hopes. And that
fellow on his knees before her, kissing
her hand, and telling her he will still
hope! Hope for what? Alas, he tells
himself, he knows only too Well-her
love!
II am so glad they have made it up"
Dora goes on, looking up sympathetic
cally at Sir Adrian.
Made it up? l had no idea they
were more than ordinary and yeGy new
acquaintance"
1T is quite q year since we first met
Arthur in Switzerland" responds Dora
demurely, calling DynecOurt by his
Christian name, thing she has never
done before, because she knows it will
give Sir Adrian the impression that
they are on very intimate terms with
his cousin. HE has been our shadow
ever since. [ wonder you did net notice
his devotion in town"
Il noticed nothing" says Sir Adrian,
miserably; cor, if did, it was only to
form wrong impressions. | firmly be-
IeVe, seeing Miss Delmaine and Ar
thur together here, that she betrayed
nothing but rooted dislike to him"
"Ihey had not been good friends of
late" explains Dora hastily; that we
all could see. And Florence is very
peculiar, you know; she is quite the
dearest girl in the world, and [ adore
her; but | will confess to yOu"-With
another upward and beWitching glance
from the charming blue eyes that she
has her little tempeTS. Not very naugh-
ty ones, you Notwithstanding her head
archly-"but just enough to make one
a bit afraid of her at times; so [ never
yentured to ask her why she treated
Dor Arthur, who really is her slave, so
cruelty"
and you think now that" Sir Ad-
rian breaks off without finishing the
sentence.
"@That she has forgiven him whatever
OfenSe he committed? Yes, after what
we have just SGGn-QuitG a sentimental
little episode, was it nOt?-I can not
help cherishing the hope that all is
again right between them. It could
not have been very grave quarrel, as
Arthur is incapable of rudeneSS; but
then dearest Florence is so CapriCiOGS!"
"Ill-tempered and capriciOuS" Can
the girl he loves SO ardently be guilty
of these faults? 1t seems incredible to
Sir Adrian, as he remembers her sunny
smile and gentle manner. But then, is
it not her dearest friend who is speak
ing OF Observation-Disclosures little Dora
Talbot, who seems to think we'll of
every one, and who murmurS such
pretty speeches even about Arthur,
who, if the truth be told, is not exactly
dear" in the sight of Sir Adrian.
You think there is, OF was, az en-
gagement between Arthur and Miss
Delmaine" he begins, with his eyes
fixed upon the ground.
II think nothing, you silly man."
says the widow playfully, until I am
told it. But [ am glad Florence is
once more friendly with poor Arthur;
Now, has that interesting tdJ6au we so
nearly interrupted given you a distaste
for all other pictures? Shall we try the
smaller galleryP
"Just as you will"
"Of course"-with a girlish laugh-''it
would be imprudent to venture again
into the one we have Just quilted. By
this time, doubtless, they are quite re-
conciled-and-"
"Yes-yes," interrupts Sir Adrian
hastily, trying in vain to blot out the
picture she has raised before his eyes
of Florence in her lovers arms. What
you have just told me has quite taken
me 10y surprise" he goes Old nervously.
I should never have guessed it from
Miss Delmalne'S manner; it quite mis-
led me-"
well, between you and me-" says
Dora, raising herself on tiptOe, as
though to whisper in his ear, and so
coming very close to him, Il am afraid
my dearest Florence is little sly!
I eS, really; you wouldn't think =,
would you? The dear girl has such a
sweet ingenious face-quite the lowell
est face on earth, think, though some
pronounce it too cold. But she is very
Selt-contained; and to-day, you see, she
has given you an insight into this slight
fault in her character"
"She has indeed" agrees Sir Adrian,
with a smothered groan.
We'll" = triumphantly = "and yet,
here we find her granting him a private
audience, when she believed we were
all safely out of the way; and in the
north gallery too, which, as Il rule, is
deserted"
"She didn't know we were thinking
of driving to the hills" says Sir Ad-
rian, making feeble effort to find a
flaw in his companions statement.
"Oh, yes, she did" declares the wild
ow lightly. Il told her myself, about
two hours ago, that intended asking
you to make a party to 60 there, as [
dote on lovely scenery; and I dare say"
--,1coqqettiShly - she knew = l mean
thought-yOu would not refuse so small
request of mine. But for poor Lady
E1tzAlmont's headache we should be
there now"
1T is true" admits Sir Adrian, feel
ing that the last straw has descended.
n II