Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-03

IuI race moved, DIT there was some nu,Io
curiosity in her dark eyes. They rested for
, a moment on the captains face, and then,
with a dreamy look, she glanced over the
heads of the white lilies behind him. He
was not her ideal, not her hero, evidently.
In that one keen, quick glance, she read not
only the face, but the heart and soul of the
man before her.
The captain felt as though he had been
subjected to some wonderful microscopic
examination.
'She is one of those dreadfully shrewd
girls that pretend to read faces" he said to
himself, while he bowed low before her, and
replied with enthusiasm to the introduction.
MY niece is quite Darrell" said Sir Os-
wald, proudly. You see she has the OAR
rel face"
Again the gallant captain offered some
Hattering remark-a neatly turned compli-
ment, which he considered ought to have
brought her down, as a shillful shot does a
bird-but the dark eyes saw only the lilies,
not him.
''She is proud, like all the Darrells," he
thought, my father always said they were
the proudest race in England
II hope" said Sir Oswald. courteously,
that you will enjoy your visit here, Aubrey.
Your father was my dearest friend, and il
gives me great delight to see you here"
81 am sure of it, Sir Oswald. / am equally
happy; | cannot see how any one could be-
dull for one minute in this grand old place."
Sir OSwald's face flushed with pleasure,
and for the first time the dark eyes slowly
left the lilies and looked at the captain.
Il find not only one minute, but many
hours in which to be dull" said Pauline.
do you like the country SO well?'
Il like Darrell Court" he replied, with
bow that seemed to embrace Sir Oswald his
niece, and all his possessions.
''You like it-in what way?" asked Pau.
line, in her terribly downright manner. 1T
is your first visit, and you have been here
only a few minutes. How can you tell
whether you like it?'
For few moments Captain Langton look
ed slightly confused, and then he rallied.
Surely a man Of the world was not to be de.
fed by mere girl.
81 have seen that at Darrell Court" he
said deferentiaIly, (which will make the
place dear to me while live"
She did not understand him. She was far
too frank and naughty for a compliment SO
broad. But Sir Oswald smiled.
HE is losing no time" thought the stately
old bar0net; ''he is falling in love with her,
just as guessed he would"
81 will leave YOU" said Sir Oswald, Ito
get better acquainted. Pauline, you will
show Captain Langton the aviary."
YES" she assented, carelessly. "But will
you send Miss Hastings here? She knows
the various birds far better than I do.''
Sir Oswald, with a pleased expression on
his face, walked away.
$50 you have an aviary at the Court, Miss
Darrell. 1t seems to me there is nothing
wanting here You do not seem interested;
do you not like birds?'
Not Gagged ones," she replied. 81 love
birds almost as though they were living
friends, but not bright-plumaged birds in
golden cages. They should be free and
wild in woods and forests, filling the sum-
mer air with joyous song. I love them well
then"
you like unrestricted freedom?" he OBJ.
served
II do not merely like it, deem it an abso-
Lutte necessity. L should not care for life
without it."
The captain looked more attentively at her.
1t was the Darrell face, surely enough-feat-
ures of perfect beauty, with soul of fire
shining through them.
yet" he said, musngly, cautiously feel
ing his way, there is but little freedom
true freedOm-for women. They are bound
down by a thousand narrow laws and OBJ
servances-caged by thousand restraints"
There is no power on earth,'' she return
ed, hastily, shat can control thoughts OF
cage souls; while they are free, it is untrue
to say that there is no freedom"
A breath of fragrant wind came and stir
red the great white lilies. The gallant cap
tain saw at once that he should only lose in
arguments with her.
''Shall we visit the aviary?'' he asked.
And she walked slowly down the path. he
following.
''She is like an empress" he thought 'It
will be all the more glory for Inc if l can win
such wife for my own