Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16

| WOOu 10 LEI, each S0uU6uC1 81 IGmlnuoT
"a reproach Only the other day this
man now beside her had accused her
| of making sure of Sir Adrian's affec-
ton before she had any right SO to do.
| Her proud spirit ShrinkS beneath the
cruel taunt he hurlS at her.
! "You look unusually done up he
goes on, in tone of assumed commits
| SeratiOn. This evening has been too
much for you. Acting part at any
time is extremely trying and labor
ious."
She shrinks still further from him.
| Acting q part! Is not all her life be-
coming one dreary drama, in which she
acts a part from morning until night?
| Is there to be no rest for her? Oh, to
escape from this man at any price! She
rises to her feet.
Our dance is almost at an end" she
says; "and the heat is terrible. [ can
remain here no longer"
"Y0u are ILL.," going to her side. He
would have supported her, but by a
| gesture she repels him.
eff [ am, it is you who have made me
| So" she retOrts, with quick passion, for
which she despises herself an instant
| later.
NAY, not l." he rejoins, "but what
my words have uncOnSciOusly conveyed
| w you' Oo lIoG U1diuo Iuo. G11OuSuG
We as Well as every one else here,
! knew Of Adrian7s sentiments with re-
| gard to Mrs. Talbot"
This is too much for her. Drawing
herself up to her full height, Florence
| casts glance Of anger and defiance in
his direction, and, sweeping past him
III her most imperiOuS fashion, appears
no more that night.
1t IS an early party, all things con-
sidered, and Dora Talbot, going to her
room about two o'clock, stops before
FIOrence's door and knocks softly
thereon.
Come in" calls Florence gently.
Il have just stopped for moment to
express the hope that you are not i'll,
dearest" saggsss s:GaGGGttih-tungued Dora.
advancing towards ner. ..fhiU~ early
you left us! l shouldn't have known
how early only Mr.. Dynecourt told me.
Are you sure you are not lip"
Not in the least, only little fatigu-
ed,' replied Florence calmly.
"Ah, no wonder, with your eXertions
before the dancing commenced, and
your unqualified success! You reigned
over everybody, darling. Nobody could
hope even to divide the hOnors Of the
evening with you. Your acting was
| simply superb"
Thank you," says Florence, who is
not in bed, but is sitting in chair
drawn near a window, through which
the moOnbeanS are fiinging their pale
rays. She is clad III a clinging white
dresSing-gOWn that makes her beauty
saintlike, and has all her long hair fall
ing loosely round her shoulders.
What a charming evening it has
been!" eXclaims Dora ecStatically,
clasping her hands, and lie sning her
N Hf o,o
know when felt SO thoroughly happy"
Florence shudders visibly. "You en-
joyed yourself, of couTse?" continues
Dora. Every one raved about you.
You made at least dozen cOnqueStS;
one OF half one" with careful hes
itatiOn i'll her manner intended to i'm
press her listener-"is as much as poor
little insignificant me can expect"
Florence looks at her questiOningly.
Il think one really honest lover is
worth a dozen Others" she says, her
voice trembling. "DO you mean me to
understand, Dora, that you have
gained one tonight?"
FIorence's whole soul seemed to hang
on her Cousins answer. Dora shippers,
and tries to blush, but III reality grows
a shade paler. She is playing for
high stake, and fears to risk throw
lest it may be ventured too soon.
ooh, you must not ask too much!"
she replies, shaking her blonde head.
"a loYer-no! How can you be so alb
surd! And yet think-I hope"
i see" interrupts Florence sadly.
well, will be as discreet as you wish;
but at least, if what [ imagine be true,
[ can congratulate you with all my
heart, because [ knOw-I know you
will be happy"
Going over to Mrs. Talbot, she lays
her arms round her neck and kisses her
softly. AS she does so, q tear falls
from her eyes upon DOra's cheek.
There is so much sweetness and aban-
dOnment Of self in this action that Do
ra for the moment is touched by it.
She puts up her hand; and, wiping
though it burns her. says lightly
But indeed, my dearest Flo, you
must not imagine anything. All is
vague. I hardly know what it is to
which |, am alluding. 'Trides light as
air. float through my brain, and glad
den me in spite of my common sense,
which whispers that they mean moth
ing. Do not build castles for me that
may have their existence only en- Is
payne"
"They seem very bright castles" OBJ
serves Florence WlSC1ulIy.
"a bad omen. All that's bright
must fade sings the poet. And now
to speak Of yourself. You enjoyed
yourselfY"
"Of course"-mechanica
"Ah, yes; was glad to see you had
made it up with poor Arthur Dyne-
courtl"
"How?" demands Florence, turning
upon her quickly.
Il saw you dancing with him, dear
est; [ was with Sir Adrian at the time,
and from something he said, / think he
would be rather pleased if you could
bring yourself to reward poor Arthur's
long devotion"
"Sir Adrian said that? He discussed
me with your"
Just. in passing, you understand.
He told me too that you were some
what unhappy in the earlier part of the
evening, and that he had to stay con-
siderable time with you to restore you
to calmness. He is always so kind,
dear Adrian!"
HE spoke of that?' demands Flor
ence, in a tone of anguish. If he had
made her emotion a subject Of common
I IL IL