Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-17

stateliness, all canopied with ivy, just
as they had stood for years; but down
the oak avenue, instead Of old squire
Oh his easy-iogging mare, there rode
TWO gay young figures.
The sunlight glinted through the
leaves and fell caressingIy on the girls
Iissome form, sitting erect and fearless
on the beautiful animal, who seemed,
as he curveted and arched his glossy
neck. as if proud of his lovely burden.
Her companion was a Young man in
the first pride of manhood. They rode
slowly through the long avenue Of
trees, ''knee-deep in fern" and at last
emerged from the park gates. Truly
it was no wonder that the villagers
Mrned and looked with admiration af-
ter the handsome pair.
Alice Grey was the niece Of old
Squire Durham. For a long time the
squire had lived in his ancestral home,
with his sister Alice's mother, for his
only companion. But the years passing
away, each left their mark on his fur
rowed brow, and at last one came, and
as it closed, the old squire's life closed
too, and he was gathered to his faith
ers.
In his will he left an annuity to his
sister, and the Towers to his dear niece,
Alice Grey, and his nephew, Roland
Audrey, on condition that they obeyed
his often expressed desire, and became
man and wife.
II not, the estate was to be sold, and
the proceeds to endoW an asylum which
should bear his name.
So. a year before, Alice Grey had
been called from boarding-schooI, and
had met her destined husband, Roland
Audrey, whom she only remembered
as little frolicsome boy
Alice was very young, scarce seven
teen, and Roland, with his dark haugh-
ty face, seemed very handsome in her
eyes; and whether it was true love she
felt for him or not, she hardly stopped
to think.
She liked his manners of courtly
grace, and enjoyed his society.
So the betrothal took place, and on
Alice's little finger, underneath the rid
ing gauntlet, sparkled the diamond
pledge that she was to be ROland's
wife and the mistress OF the Towers.
=, no lol on DloN 'lIi IL
slio p , lillL'S9 tiS5 '-iJ p%lo-
P Pl,l th III COW +Ii ILL.,
,lo"o, ':i' '-l,'o o''ii5 gu ''''iI Il''i0
iieISI - ~ =, ! i''''i o''o iliGlo'l9
ell along, until suddenly, at Il turn of
the road, they met n solitary figure.
Refining up her horse. Alice stopped
and held out her hand.
10y Eit a. - u ou. - ~ 10 d i0nS
~ 'I'.'tt t99|, toliiinT ~ 1iiS CO
sl'o' 'ooN me Ii''lo oAooii''e't i'.''' 1'I0
was q oe:uIi!ui creature hoI" iIl2talltl-
lns Ine sillP-o pet@a ~ G:f9S' - WaS
Stl'!s5e 70 see II 3'll l1iI&ii7il lS1le s'!cll
~ oliFe Skill ana S'tci "aSilii9 OIlelIC-
al eyes 49,, o.,
=: {" mere nave y 0" Oeeh' NIUE queS-
l'5 51i' ]alIoe.
me SiIl "io hoU reply iii!nieui'teiS'
paI sIQoo as lasclhated' look IL = a. me
} "un2 hiah' VINO SAT hdlAeIGHIiy
SW!tchlh$ the Wliafos hedGe WIN MS
AlIce noticed with surprise her IN
tent look, but asked the question again.
linen Mia told her that she had been
very much confined at home, and the
great dark eyes filled with tears as she
explained that her mother had been
sick, and was so still.
AS the two girls talked, Roland Aud
rey glanced turtlVely from time TO time
at the marked contrast they made.
Alice, with her faIr SKIN and golden
halr. and the dark glrl, with her sW&rt
black treSSes hanging IN heavy braIdS
FIR below her waist.
Il will come and see your mother
very soon, Mia, sad Alice as they
rode away.
The girl stood and looked after them,
and the tenderly mourntul expression
her face had worn as she spoke OF her
mother vanished While the dark eyes
hashed with herce ana bltter llght.
Anita came rightly by her dark Span
Ish beauty, which was so different from
the milk and rose tints OF the maidens
OF her adopted country.
Inc ola squire 5 mother had spent
most OF her life in travelling abroad,
and while In Madrid had seen ana ad-
mlred poor little Spanish girL. 10
wish was to accomplish with her. ana
she had succeeded IN taxing the c4lld
away with hGF. AIIer many WANDER
1ngS she had settled down al IasU aC
Dqnham lowers ~ .-..
IN the course OF UlIle the youh9
lod@e-keePef hac loFeai "ooe9' anu