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

The fete was a success-sO every one
declared; but when Maud, too excited
by the days pleasure to sleep sought
Rene in her room. she found the mis-
tress of the house in tears.
ssRienei what is the matter? Can
do anything for you?"
Then, as Rene still sobbed on, Maud
drew her into her arms.
My darling friend, tell me what
troubles youP Can you not trust meP"
Thus appealed to, Rene, with her
face hidden from her friends anxious
eyes, opened her heart.
.'Oh, Maudr' she said; 81 am so I'M
happyi | have tried to be gay, and to
hide my feeling; but cannot do 1t any
longer"
.sRiene," softly interrupted Maud, sis
it anything about Mr.. Devon?"
Then, at last, as Rene spoke, Maud
understood all that had seemed mys-
terious to her.
at all happened five years ago."
said Rene, "when I was here as Lady
Harrington's companion, just after
we parted for the first time. You
know [ was a mere child-only six
teen-and after you had gone, and I
was left with no one to whom to turn
for comfort when Lady Harrington's
irrita bility became too unbearable, it
seemed to me as if | no longer wanted
to live. Just at that time young
artist came into the neighborhood. He
was introduced to Lady Harrington,
and she allowed him the privilege of
sketching in the park whenever he
chose. We met, and he appeared to
enjoy my society, while-oh, Maud
| soon grew to think him everything
good and noble.
''After a while, Lady Harrington
noticed his attentions to me, and
sternly forbade our further intercourse,
telling me that for my own peace Of
mind | must cease to think of him, as
he was only flirting with me; for, be-
ing the heir of an aristocratic family, he
would never dare offend his people by
wedding with one so beneath him in
station.
''She did it out of kindness. I see it
now, though did not then. My lover
(for that he had grown to beg set his
influence against her commands, and
persuaded me at last to write to him.
Zone day, after three weeks had
passed, and we had not seen each other,
in the old elm tree, which we made
our post-Office, found letter, longer
than usual, containing an offer of mar
riage, and telling me that he had just
passed his twenty-first birthday, and
therefore was his own master. He
begged me not to keep him in sus-
pense, but if | truly loved him to reply
at once, and he would come for my
answer in the morning.
"Oh. Maud, | was but young, and [
believed in him so earnestly that Ihate
myself now when / think of it,
dropped a tiny note in the old elm
tree. and in it [ answered. Yes That
was the last | ever heard from my
false lover. The following week I
learned that he had gone abroad. He
left no word for me; and too late
realized that Lady Harrington was
right. He had only been Willing away
his idle hours with filtration"
Rene broke off with sob.
cit is five years ago, Maud and [
thought that my love was dead, and
only desire for revenge left in it's
place; but l was mistaken. Every tone
of his voice thrills me just as of old.
But it is too late now to 90 back. He
must never know that I still care for
him.
1t was plainly evident to Maud, as
the DAYS went by, that if Riene still
wanted her revenge she had only to
take it, as it was easy to see that STAN
ley Devon was desperately in love with
his beautiful hostess.
Rene herself could not but read the
deep admiration with which his eyes
followed her every motion; but she had
been deceived once, and she did not
now believe in the sincerity of the man
she had once deemed everything noble.
At length the day previous to the
one on which Mr.. Gresham and his
friend were to take their departure
arrived.
''What shall we do this last morn
ingP" gaily enquired Rene.
Stanley Devon looked up quickly.
Let us have luncheon-party in
the park beneath the great eIm," he
said.
If he expected to see Rene change
color or look embarrassed, he was dis
appointed; for, with a merry, THAT
will be just the thing!" she seized up
on the idea at once.
When their rustic repast was ended,
Carl Gresham sauntered over to the
great elm tree, beneath whose spread
ing branches their improvised table
had been laid, with this enquiry:
Miss Harrington, isn't this tree hol-
lowP | remember story of a knight
who once was accused of treason, and
when officers were sent to arrest him,
concealed himself here until the pur-
suit was over. Afterwards he sue
ceeded in making his escape from the
country. But what is thisP"
As he spoke, he held up to their view
yellow, weather-stained envelope
which he had drawn forth from the
hollow.
Il verify believe Sir Knight must
have dropped his last letter from his
'lady-love' in his haste. It's lady's
writing. Hello! it belongs to you,
Devon. How did one of your letters
get hereP"
Then Devon took it and looked at
the superscription, then, with swift
glance towards Rene, he opened it.
Rene well knew whose hand had
penned the lines be was reading; and
as she stood, flushing and palTng by
turns. great joy thrilled her heart.
Her lover had been worthy, after all!
He had never received the letter, and
while she had thought him false, he
had only been seeking forgetfulness.