Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-31

But no words of his had power to move
| her; there was nothing but scorn in the beau
tiful face. nothing but scorn in the wiIIful,
| passionate heart
Sir Oswald should have known better
than to use threats to DarrelIr' she said,
with flash OF her dark eyes; and not the
least impression could Aubrey Langton
make upon her.
He was silent at last in sheer despair. 1t
was all over; he had no more hope. Life
/ had never held such a brilliant chance for
any man, and now it was utterly lost. In
stead of wealth, luxury, happiness, there was
nothing before him but disgrace. He could
! almost have cursed her as she stood there in
| the moonlight before him. A deep groan,
one of utter, uncomfortable anguish escaped
| his lips. She went nearer to him and started
| back in wonder at the white, settled despair
On his face.
Captain Langton," she said, quietly, II
am sorry-I am sorry-I am indeed sorry
that you feel this so keenly. Let me COM
fort you"
He appealed to her again more passionate
| ly than ever, but she interrupted him.
| you mistake me-" she said; Il am griev-
ed to see you suffer, but have no thought of
!; altering my mind. Let me tell you, once
and for all, would rather die than marry
you, because | have neither liking nor re-
spect for you; but your sorrow l cannot but
feel for"
'You have ruined me-" he said, bitterly,
"and the curse of broken-hearted man will
rest upon youp'
81 do not think the Darrells are much
| frightened at curses" she retorted; and then,
| in all the magnifcence of her shining gems
and golden-hued dress, she swept from the
| spot.
Yes, he was ruined, desperate. Half an
| hour since, entering that conservatory, he
had wondered whether he should leave it a
| happy, prosperous man. He knew now that
| there was nothing but blank, awful despair,
ruin and shame, before him. He had lost
| her, too, and love and hate fouo hit fierceIy in
his heart He buried his face in his hands
and sobbed aloud.
A ruined man! Was ever so splendid a
| chance lost? 1t drove him mad to think Of
| it! All was due to the willful caprice Of a
| willful girl.
| Then he remembered that time was pass
| ing and that he must tell Sir Oswald that lie
| had failed-utterly, ANONYMOUSLY failed.
| He went back to the ballroom and saw the
| baronet standing in the center of a group of
| gentlemen. He looked anxiously at the cap
| tain, and at his approach the little group fell
| back, leaving them alone.
| what news, Aubrey" asked Sir Oswald.
''The worst that can possibly bring. She
| would not even hear of it,"
land you think there is no hope either
now or at any future timer"
II am, unfortunately, sure of it. She told
me in plain words that she would rather die
than marry me, and she laughed at your
| threats"
Sir OSWald's face flushed; he turned away
haughtily.
| The consequence be on her own headr'
he said as he moved away. Il shall make
Elinor Rocheford an offer tonight" he add
| ed to himself
The captain was in no mood for dancing;
the music and light had lost all their charms.
The strains OF beautiful German waltz fill
ed the ballroom Looking round, he saw
Pauline Darrell, in all the sheen Of her jewels
and the splend0r of her golden-hued dress,
Waltzng with Lord Lorrimer. Her baauti-
| full face was radiant; she had evidently for
| gotten all about him and the threat that was
| to disinherit her.
! Sir Oswald saw her too as he was search
ing for Eiinor-Saw her radiant, triumphant,
| and Queenly-and almost hated her for the
| grand dover of loneliness that would never
| now enhance the grandeur of the DarrellS.
| lie found ElinOr ROcheford with Lady
Hampton. She had been hoping that the
captain would ask her to dance again. She
looked toward him with faint smile, but
was recalled to order by gesture from Lady
| Hampton.
Sir Oswald, with low bow, asked if Miss
Rocheford would like promenade through
the rooms. She would fain have said No"
| but one look from her aunt was sufficient.
She rose III her quiet, graceful way, and &C.
| companied him.
| They walked to what was called the white
| draWlng-room, and there, standing before
magnificent Murilo, the gem of the Darrell
collection, Sir Oswald Darrell, made Elinor
Rocheford quiet offer of his hand and fort
| une.
| just as quietly she accepted it; there was
no bluShing, no trembling, no shrinking. He
| asked her to be Lady Darrell, and she con-
| sented. There was very little SAID Of love-
| although his wooing was chivalrous and de-
| ferential He had secured his obect-won
fair young wife for himself, and punished
! the proud, defiant, willful girl who had
| laughed at lis threats. After some little time
| he led his fair companion back to Lady
| Hampton.
Miss Rocheford has done me very great
| honor" he said; ''she has consented to be my
wife. l will give myself The pleasure of
| waiting upon you tomorrow, Lady Hamp-
| ton, when shall venture to ask for happy
| and speedy conclusion to my suit
| Lady Hampton, with gentle movement
! OF her fan, intended to express emotion MUIR
INJURED a few words, and the interview was
| ended.
Il congratulate you, Elinor," she said.
| You have secured a splendid osition; no
| girl in England could have done better"
YES" returned Einor Rocheford, Il
ought to be ticketed. Sold to advantage;'"
and that was the only bitter thing the young
| girl ever said of her brilliant marriage.
Of course Lady Hampton told the delight
| fIll news to Il few of her dearest friends: and
these, watching Pauline Darrell that night
in the spleldor of her grand young beauty,
the sheen of her jewels, and the glitter OF her
rich amber dress, knew that her reign was
ended, her chance of the inheritance gone.
CHAPTER XVIII.
| PAULINE THREATENS VENGEANCE.
"Pray do not leave us, Miss Hastings; /
wish you to hear what have to say to my
niece, il you will consent to remain;" and
Sir Oswald placed a chair for the gentle,
| amiable lady, who was SO fearful OF coming
| harm to her willful pupil.