Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-09
THE HOLLOW ELM.

Up the broad road to the great door
which stood Hospitality open, rolled
she Harrington carriage. In a mo-
ment its occupant had alighted, and in
another she was clasped in the arms of
O young and beautiful girl.
$50 you have come at last, Maud;
am so glad! / have endured this
solitary grandeur long enough, and
feel as il | needed someone to enliven
me up. But | shouldn't keep you talk
ing here-You must be tired. Come
Ghis way 90 your rOOm," and winding
her arm lovingly around her friends
waist, the young mistress of the house
led her guest to the dainty chamber
allotted to her use.
After she had removed her wraps
and smoothed her hair, Maud Gresham
sank into an easy-chair, which stretch
ed out its velvet arms inVitinglY, and
drew long breath.
eyes, Maud, isn't it wonderful" ex-
claimed Riene. You see, I know what
your thoughts are. It's just like a
story! A year ago you left Rene
MallOy poor companion, with only
two things to make her of any i'm
portance-namely, good French ac-
cent, which she came honestly by
through her foreign mother, and a
pair of passable blue eyes, which she
inherited from her Irish father; now
YOU return and find her Miss Rene
Malloy Harrington, heiress to ever so
much money, and mistress of a fine
old place"
Rene laughed as she spoke, and
coming to her friend she drew back
her head and pressed kiss upon her
lips.
"But you shall see, my darling Maud,
that all this magical change has made
no difference in your Rene"
AZ have found that out already"
answered Maud, as she returned the
caress.
Then Rene seated herself in another
.easy-chair, and the two friends chatted
over all that had happened since they
had last seen each other, until the first
bell rang for dinner; when Rene fitted
off to her own apartment to dress, leav-
ing Maud alone to do the same.
After dinner, as they sat busiIY en-
gagged with their crewels, Maud looked
up from a rose which she was shading,
with:
arlene, / forgot till this morning
something | want to ask you. When
/ gave your Imperative command to
brother Carl, that he should spend a
few weeks at Harrington, he said that
he should be delighted to come, but
about that time he expected to have a
friend with him. | said that | knew
Mr.. Devon was an old acquaintance of
yours, and l thought you would be
pleased to have him come too. | told
him | would ask you, and write, and
let him know"
As Maud spoke, she was surprised to
see brilliant flush suffuse her friends
face, But in an instant Rene had con-
trolled hersslf, and replied:
why, certainly | remember Mr..
Devon well, and | should be pleased to
have him come with Mr.. Gresham.
The more the merrier, as the old adage
has it.n
odt Maud was not deceived. She
saw with her quick woman's wit that
there had been something more than
mere acquaintance between Riene and
Stanley Devon. But she wisely kept
her surmiSes to herself.
So the letter was written, inviting
Mr.. Devon to Harrington, and the fol-
lowing week brought the two gentle
men.
AS Stanley Devon entered the draw
ing-room with his friend, to be pre-
scented to the lady of Harri gtOn, he
was not prepared for the surprise
which awaited him.
There stood Riene, her sweeping
silken robe giving an air of new dignity
TO her petite figure; but with the same
beautiful face as of old, with its deli
cate foreign features and laughing
Irish blue eyes.
Graciously holding out small hand,
she came forward and greeted Mr..
Gresham, then she turned to Stanley.
''YOu do not recognize Rene Malloy
IN Miss Harrington, See," she said.
Stanley flushed, and tiny smile
lurked around the corners of Riene's
mouth as she noticed his confusion, and
added:
well, it is no wonder, as you were
abroad when it happened. So you
never heard that old Lady Harrington,
after making a daily martyr of her
poor companion for four long years,
suddenly died, and in her will, on con-
dition that she took the name of Har-
fington, left all her worldly goods to
that same poor companlon-whOse
kindness to her, she said, had touched
her lonely old hearth"
Thus coolly did Rene explain mat
tiers, and then, with tact unusual in
one so young, she changed the sub,
ject.
Soon all were chattering animatedly
together, and before long Gtanley
Devon forgot his embarrassment.
Maud watched her friend curiously.
She could not make her out. She felt
sure that there had once been some
ching warmer than friendship between
Rene and Mr.. Devon; but their man
ner towards each other now puzzled
her.
Rene always was charming; she
talked well and looked we'll; while Mr.
Devon always seemed fretted and i'll a
ease.
So things went on until the day ar
rived for the fete, for which they haC
been preparing for some time. From
eyerv nook and corner of the spaciou
mansion rippled out girlish laughter
mingled with deeper tones; for tn
house was filled with guests who ha'
readily assembled at Riene's invita-
ton, well knowing her powers of en-
pertaining.