Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-24
CHAPTER XIV,

tne Dali SnOulu De one that should reflect
credit on the giver and the guests. He had
ordered a fine band of music and magnifi-
cent banquet. The grounds were to be illumi-
mated, cOlored lamps being placed among the
trees; the ballroom was q gorgeous mass of
brilliant blOOm-tier after tier of magnificent
flowers was ranged along the walls, white
statues cleaning from the bright foliage,
and little fountains here and there sending
up their fragrant spray.
Sir Oswald had sent to London for some
one to SuperinteDd the decorations; but they
were not perfected until Miss. Darrell, pass
ing through, suggested first one alteration,
and then another, until the originators re-
cognizing her superior artistic judgment and
picturesque taste, deferred to her, and then
the decorations became magnificent work
of art.
Sir Oswald declared himself delighted, and
the caDtain's praises were unmeaSured.
Then, and then only, Miss Darrell began TO
feel some interest in the ball; her love of
beauty was awakened and pieased-there
was something more in the event than the
mere qualification of seeing people dance.
The expected visitors had arrived on the
Tuesday-Lady Hampton, radiant with ex-
pected victory; Elinor, silent, thoughtful,
and more gentle than ever, and consequently
more pleasing.
Lady Hampton was delighted with the
idea Of the ball.
"You must make bold stroke for hus-
band on that evening, ElnOr," she said.
''Y OH shall have a superb dress, and | shall
quite expect you to receive and accept an
offer from Sir Oswald"
Elinor ROCKFORD raised her eyes. There
ruuc SDp,ntbinr N,ricttpI in tbair
''Oh, aunt" she said, Il like the captain so
much betterr'
Lady Hampton did not lose her good hui
mOr-Elin0r was not the first refractory girl
she had brought to her senses.
"Never mind about liking the captain, my
dear; that is only natural. He is not in love
with you. | can see through the whole busi-
ness. If Darrell Court goes to Miss Darrell,
he will marry her. He can marry no girl
without money, because he is, know, over
head and ears in Cebt. Major Penryn was
speaking of him to-day. The only way to
prevent his marriage with Miss Darrell is for
You to take Sir Oswald yourself"
Elinor's face flushed.
Lady Hampton certainly understood the
art OF evoking the worst feelings. Jealousy,
envy, and dislike stirred family in the gentle
heart of her niece.
81 hope you will do your very best to win
Sir Oswalds affections" continued Lady
Hampton, 'for should not like to see OAR
rel Court fall into the hands of that proud
girl"
Nor should ]" aSsented Miss ROcheford.
The evening of the ball arrived at last, and
Lady Hampton stood like a fairy gOdmother
in Elnor's dressing-room, experimenting
the toilet that was to work such wonders.
Lady Hampton herself looked very imposing
in her handsome dress of black velvet and
point lace, with diamond ornaments. Eli
nor's dress was a triumph of art. Her fresh,
fair, gentle loneliness shone to perfection,
aided by her elaborate costume of white silk
and white lace, trimmed with green and sill
yer leaves. The ornaments were all of sill
ver-both fringe and leaves; the head-dress
was a green wreath with silver flowers.
Nothing could have been more elegant and
effective. There was gentle flush on the
fair face and light in the blue eyes.
THAT will do, Elinor," said Lady Hamp-
ton, complacently. "Your dress is perfec-
ton. have no fear now-you will have no
rival"
Perhaps Lady Hampton had never dislik-
ed Pauline Darrell more than on that night,
for the magnificent beauty of the girl had
never been so apparent. Sir Oswald had
given his niece carte blanche in respect to
preparation for the ball, but she had not at
first taken sufficient interest in the matter to
send to London, as he wished, for dress.
Later on she had gone to the large wardrobe,
where the treasures accumulated by the
Ladies Darrell lay. Such shining treasures
of satin, velvet, silk, cashmere, and such
profusion of laces and ornaments were therel
She selected a superb costume-a magnifi-
cent amber brOcade, embroidered with white
flowers, gorgeous, beautiful, artistic. It was
q dress that had been made for some former
Lady Darrell.
How well it became her The amber set
off her dark beauty as golden frame does
rich picture. The dress required but little
alteration; it was cut square, showing the
white, stately, graceful neck, and the sleeves
hung after the Grecian fashion, leaving the
round white arms bare. The light shining
upon the dress changed with every move
ment; it was as though the girl was envelop-
ed in sunbeams. Every lady present envied
that dress, and pronounced it to be gorgeous
beyond comparison.
Pauline's rich curls of dark hair were stud
ded with diamond stars, and diamond
necklace clasped her white throat-this was
Sir OSwald'S present Her artistic taste mad
found yet further scope; for she had en-
HANGED the beauty of her dress by the addi-
ton of white daphneS shrouded in green
leaves.
Sir Oswald looked al her in admiration
her magnificent beauty, her queenly figure,
her royal grace and ease of movement, her
splendid costume, all impressed him. From
every fold of her shining dress came rich,
sweet, subtle perfume; her usually pale face
had on it an unwonted flush of delicate rose
leaf color.
"If she would but be like that sweet Eli
norv' thought Sir Oswald, 81 could not wish
for more beautiful mistress for Darrell
Court"
She stood by his side while he received his
guests, and her dignifed ease delighted him.
Had she been some Eastern queen" he
thought "her eccentricitieS would have hurt
no one. As it is" and Sir Oswald con-
Guided his sentence by grave shake of the
head.
The captain, pleased with Miss Roche
fords graceful loneliness, had been amusing
himself by paying her some very choice COM
pliments, and she was delighted with them.
eff Sir Oswald were only like himr she
thought; and Aubrey Langton, meeting the
timid, gentle glance, said to himself that he
must be careful-he had no wish to win the
girls heart-he should be quite at a loss to
know what to do with it.
When he saw Pauline his courage almost
failed him.