Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-10
LOVES VICTORY.
BY BERTHA NJ. CLAY.

but what great things do you do?'s she
repeated, her dark eyes opening wider. you
cannot mean seriously that this is all. Do
you never write, paint-have you 10 ambi-
ton at all?'
II do not know what you call ambition,
he replied, sullenly; 'as for writing and
painting, in England we pay people to do
that kind Of thing for US. You do not think
that l would paint picture, even if could?'
Il should think you clever if you diG that"
she returned; sat present l cannot see that
you do anything requiring mind Or intellect"
stMiss Darrell" be said, looking at her,
"you are radical, believe"
ga radical?' she repeated, slowly. 4 am
not quite sure, Captain LangtOn that know
what that means"
"YOu believe in ariStOcracy Of intellect,
and all that kind Of nonsense, he continued.
''Why should a man who paints picture be
any better than the man who understands
the good points Of a horse?
"Why, indeed?" she asked, satirically.
1--WE will not argue the question, for we
should not agree"
II had her there" thought the captain.
"She could not answer me. Some OF these
women require high hand to keep them in
order"
81 do not see Miss Hastings" she said at
last land it is quite useless going to the
aviary without her. [ do not remember the
name of a single bird; and | am sure you
will not care Tor them"
But" he returned, hesitatingly, "Sir Os
wald seemed to wish it,
There is the first dinner-bell," she said,
with an air of great relief; ''there will only
be just time to return. AS you seem solicit
Gus about Sir Oswald's wishes we had better
go in, for he dearly loves punctuality."
Il believe" thought the captain, that she
Is anxious to get away from me. I must say
that | am not accustomed to this kind of
thing"
The aspect of the dining-room, with its
display of fine old plate, the brilliantly al
ranged tables, the mingled Odor of rare wines
and flowers, restored hum to good hmnOr.
sit would be worth some little trouble"
he thought, ito win all this
He took Pauline in to dinner. The grand,
pale, passionate beauty of the girl had never
shown to greater advantage than it did this
evening, as she sat with the purple and Grim
son fuchsias in her hair and the broken lily
in her belt. Sir Oswald did not notice the
latter until dinner was half over. Then he
said:
''Why, Pauline, with gardens and hot
houses full of flowers, have you chosen q
broken one?'
''To me it is exquisite" she replied;
The captains face darkened for moment,
but he would not take offence. The elegant
~ appointed table, the seductive dinner, the
rare wines, all made all impression on him.
He said to himself that there was a good
thing offered to him. and that a girls naughty
temper should not stand in his way. He
made himself most agreeable. he was all ami
nation, vivacty, and high spirits with Sir
Oswald. He was defeTCntial and attentive
to Miss Hastings and his manner to Pauline
left no doubt in the minds OF the lockers on
that he was completely fascinated by her.
She was too proudly Indifferent, too haughti-
ly careless, even to resent it. Sir Oswald
Darrell was too true gentleman to offer his
niece to any one; but he had given the cap
tain to understand that if he could WOO her
and win her, there would be no objection
raised on his part.
For once III his life Captain LangtOn had
spoken quite truthfully.
Il have nothng' he said; my father left
me but a very moderate fortune, and | have
lost the greater part OF it, | have not been
careful or prudent, Sir Oswald"
Care and prudence are not the virtues of
YOUTH" Sir Oswald returned. Il may say,
honestly, should be glad if your fathers
son could win my niece; as for fortune, she
will be richly lowered if I make her my heir
ess. Only yesterday I heard that coal had
been found on my Scotch estates, and, if
that be true, it will raise my income many
thousands per annum."
MAY you long live to enjoy your wealth,
Sir Oswaldw said the young man, so hearth.
ly that tears stood in the old baroneo's eyes.
But there WAS one thing the gallant cap
tain did not confess He did not tell Sir Os-
valid Darrell-What was really the truth
that be was over head and ears in debt, and
that this visit to Darrell Court was the last
hope left to him.