Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-10

| ceremony OF Introduction. AWkWardnesS
| is impending when Monica comes 20 the
rescue. Her innate sense OF kindly courtesy
|. cOnquering her Shyness, she rises from her
seat, and, going up to Miss Browne, who has
come 10 a stand-still, lays her hand softly
upon hers.
Come over here and sit by me- she says,
nervOuSly, yet with .uch gracious sweet
ueSs that the strangers heart @o5S out to
her on the spot, and Bran Desmond. if it be
possible, falls more in love with her than
ever.
''Th&nk YOU" says Miss Browne, pressing
gratefully the little hand that lies IN hers;
and then every one wakes into life and says
something civil to her
Five minutes later tn dressng-beIl rings,
and the scene is At an end.
CHAPTER Xxx.
Dinner has come to an end. The men are
still dallyiny with their wine. The women
are assembled in the drawing-room.
Olga, having drawn back the curtains
from the central window, is standing III its
em rasuTe, looking ont silently upon the
gIories of the night. For the stjrm has died
away; the wind is gone TO sleep; the rain
has SObbed itself to death; and now q lovely
rippled mass of grayest cloud. Flom out
the dark SPACES i'll the vault above few
stars are Shining-the more brilliantly be-
cause OF the bIackness that surrounds them.
The air is Sultry 4 most TO oppre SSiveness,
and the breath of the roses that have twined
themselves around the ratings of the bal
cOny renders the calm night full of sweetest
fragrance.
Even as she gazes spell-bOund, the clouds
roll backward and S, ars grow and multiply
exceedingly, until all
tie floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright god"
Madame OCOnnOr is talking to Miss
Browne of certain family matters interest
ing to both. Miss Fitzgerald has gone up
stairs, either to put on another coating of
powder, or else to scold her long-suffering
maid. Her mother has fallen into gentle,
somewhat noisy snOoze.
A sudden similar thought striking both
Monica and Mrs. uelrick at the same mo-
ment, they rise, and make step toward the
window where Olga is standing all alone.
Hernia, laying her hand on Mouica's
arm, entreats her by gesture to change her
purpose; wherein Monica falls back again,
and Hernia, going on, parts the curtains,
and, stepping into where Olga is, joins her
un invited.
''Dreaming?" she says, lightly.
''Who would not dream on such night
as this? the more beautiful because of the
miserable day to which it is a glorious ter
mination. See, Hernia, how those planets
gleam and glitter, as though in mOckery of
us poor foolish mortals down below"
Il don't feel a bit more foolish than l did
this morning" says Hernia. do you, dear?
opl OF IF
credit tor your common sense then"
Common nSe,-worldly wisdom how
[ hate the sound Of all that jargonr' says
Olga petulantly. Let lis forget we must
be wise if only for one night. The beauty
of that silent world or flowers beyond has
somehow entered into me. Let me enjoy it.
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon that
bank down there! Watch it. Can you see
how the roses CULVER beneath it's touch, as
though stirred by some happy dream?'
1T is indeed q perfect night!'' says Her
mia, looking at her in some surprise. There
is suspicion of excitement in Oga's man
ner-ar:sing, as it were, from the desire 10
hide one emotion by the betrayal of ano her
that strikes her listener as strange.
How softly the air beats uron ones
facer' saws Mrs. Bohun, leaning little for
ward. 'The night is, as you say, perfe IT.
Vet don't know what is the matter with
me; the more l feel the loneliness of all
around the sadder my heart seems to grow"
''Whatp' says Hernia, lifting her brows,
Gam | to learn now that you-the gayest of
all mortals-have at last succumbed to the
insufferabIe dreariness of this merry
world?'
You run too fast. l am little perpleXed,
perhaps; but | have not succumbed to any
thing"
"Or any che, hope, unless it be to your
advantage. You are playing silly game,
Olga
THE world would be lost unless it had
fool to sport with now and them
But why should you be the one to pander
to it pleasures"
who more fitting? l am tired of hear
ing you apply that word silly to me, morn
Ing, noon, and night"
1T is too late to believe it possible that
you and should QUARREL" 81 d Mrs. Her
rick, i'll perfectly even ton :; so dol't try
to get up an imaginary grievance. You
know you are dearer to me than anything
on earth, al. er the children.''
well, don't scold me any more" saws
olga, coaXingly.
L never scold; only reason"
ooh! but that is so much worse" SAYS
Olga. 1T means the scoIding, and lot
more besides. Do anyth NJ but reason with
me, my dear Hernia
Il 1UuJ say that think you are throwing
yourself away"
''Where? Over the balcOny?'-willfully.
Il assure you, you misjudge me; Il am far
too great a coward"
You are not too great q coward to con-
template the committing OF much more
serious bctisc. Tonight his attentions were
especially marked, and you allowed them"
Il can't think what you mean"
"Nill you deny that Mr.. ROlayne paid
you very mariel attention tonight"
Marked! Whnre did he make his inn
preston. then? lie didn't pinch ne, if you
me Il that"
''Of course you can follow your own
wishes, dearest, ami | shall neither glin
nor lose; but it does S ,em pity, when you
might be a countess and have the world at
Your feet. l know few SO altOg atheg fitted
to fill the position, and still YOU reject it.
You are pretty, clever, charming,-evcry-
thing of tn most sirable."
Am I?' She steps into the drawing
room, and brings herself by swift step or
two opposite hu re mirror let into on of
the walls Standing before it, she surv "
herself leiSureIy from head to foot, and
then she smiles.
Il don't know about the clever" she says;
hut am sure | am pretty. In town last
season-do you remember?-my hair Great, d
quite furor, it is SO peculiarly light. Ever