Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-02

and wax candles fell on rich carpet and in
laid tables, on mirrors and pictures, and
aesthetic colors, on lofty Inantelpiece of
carved marble. and hundred costly trifles
here and there, making a whole at once
splendid and tasteful There was no
crowding and no display; you could move
freely, without any fear of knocking down
gimcrack tables or s9ider-legged chairs;
but everything was genuine, and all was
harmonious, producing on the eye precise
ly the effect that ought to be produced-a
sense OF charmed repose.
Before the hearth stood a small table,
and on it tea equipage of china to delight
q connoisseur BY this table were two
ladies-one, the elder, presiding over the
honors; the other leaning back in low
velvet fGuteatL
The first was 3 handsome woman Of per-
haps fifty, inclining to en1bonpotnt, but
carrying herself so well and of so stately a
bearing that her worst female enemy could
not have called her stout. There was
scarcely tinge of gray in her black hair,
and she looked altogether remarkably
well-preserved. possibly little made up,''
but if SO, the thing was done with marvel
Gus good taste. Her features showed firm
cation of tenderness or sympathy You
co1ld not imagine her Il woman to whom
anyone would go in trou BILE or perplexity
She was dressed in black velvet, and the
rich simplicity of the material well became
her.
Her companion, with her golden-brown
hair, perfect features, pale, pure skin, and
grace, would have been beautiful in sack
al 7
the picture a complete one, as she lounged
in the dark-covered chair.
Valerie Herbert had been a week in her
aunt's house, and as yet she had seen nc
one. She had been taken about to shops,
and been "tried on" by milliners and dress
makers, and made to select hats, and caps,
and opera-hoods, and jewels, till she grew
weary Of posing as lay figure to be draped
and dressed up and told twenty times a
day that she was perfectly lovely, and all
the men would be at her feet, and all the
women would envy her.
Are you tired, my dear?" said Mrs.
Langley, kindly, for Valerie had not spok.
en- for full five minutes, and was gazing
abstractedly into the fire. "Well, never
mind" as the girl started and looked up,
sit is nearly over You are not used to
L
ed to take you out to-day; but you shall
rest tomorrow. will get Hunt and Ros-
kell to send up the pearls for you to choose
from"
"Oh! aunt Constance, I have one set of
pearls alreadyr'
'"They are not handsome enough, nv
dear. I want q triple row for your neck at
your first dance, and earrings to match.
han Of
didn't wear any at bennington, did you?"
81 had none to wear" replied the girl,
simply.
Yet everyone said you looked perfect.
I am not sure whether you shall wear any
after ALL" said. Mrs. Langley, surveying
her niece meditatively ''Iremember ANY
Linwood wore none when she came out,
and charming she looked and she is only
very pretty.''
''Amy Linwoodr' said Valerie, eagerly.
"Does she live near to you?'
mo; in Mansfield Street. We will call
there in day or two. Let me give you
some more tea, Valerie"
Valerie handed across the tiny cup, and
| Mrs. Langley went on:
Il wonder no one has dropped in this af-
ternoon. [ half expected Lady Elinor
Beauregard; know they arein town-Cap-
| tain Beauregard's sister-in-law, you know.
You met him down at bennington, did
| you not?" asked Mrs. Langley, covertly
watching the other, who had started slight
~ at the name OF Beaure gard The elder
| lady knew perfectly well that her niece
had danced with Captain Beauregard at
| the ball.
eyes" replied Valerie, not thinking il
necessary to go beyond that particular
evening in the history of her acquaintance
with the Captain. Il did not know You
knew him or his people, aunt Constance -
Il do rot know him Intimately. he has
been so much away. Lady Elmer is my
special friend; but it is & great pity Man
was not born the eldest SON 1t 50 often
| happens that the man VINO Will pev1r in
herit is the superior of the man VINO does. :"
"Isn't General Beaureeard like his broth
er, then?n asked Valerie.
"Not q bit.-that is, not to compare With
him. Heis good-looklng, and clever enough
no Beauregard ever was either plain OF
| an idiot; but Max is such strikingly-h
some man, and has such a brain! AS it is
he has only his pay and a younger sons
allowance, and of course Lady Elinor viii
have children-she is not thirty yet-so
Max has no chance of the estates, and will
have to marry money"
This last was said in the most matter-of-
course way. In Mrs. Langley's code 1t was
a matter Of course. She was not only q
| thorough woman of the world, but a thor
oughly worldly-minded woman; and in the
utterance of what was to her q natural
! idea, she forgot for the moment that her
companion was still forest flower.
81 shouldn't think he would do thatr'
said Valerie, impulsively
Mrs. Langley laughed.
| My dear young Arcadian, Max Beaure.
| gard is a man of the world Do YOU imag-
inc, because he looks like knight OF old
in modern dress, he is as romantic as those
| gentry are supposed TO be-"
mo; it isn't thatr' returned the girl per
picked by this tone Of badinage, but holding
| to her text; ''only he did not seem a man
| who would think so much of money"
My dear" said Mrs Langley, quietly,
81 don't know how much you could dis
| cover Of any mans disposition in an eve
ming. When you have lived little in the
world, you viii find that there is not much
| romance about. Heroes Of the battlefield
can be wonderfully prOsaic in ordinary
| life; and Max Baauregard, for all his ex-
| p!0its in Egypt, will probably prove him
| self too wise to marry portionless girl foI
love"
tOAl aunt Constance" cried the girl,
| there must be some people who are not
always thinking OF worldly advantageI''
Young girls like you, my dear, brought
| up as you have been: and bitterly they re-
| pent it in after life when they marry on
nothing a year. Older people have more
wisdom. 1 did not marry for love, but
was very happy"
Il should not ber' said Valerie, decided