Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-04-07


again. 1t is provoking if she suits you
though suppose there are others as good.
But what have you done about your cos
tune? There is no time tc be lost"
tAunt Raven came to the rescue, as you
! were away; and she has taken me to Mrs.
! Gilbert. There need be no fear about my
dress" Miss Worthington said.
Even Sir Arthur. in spite of his sublime
Indifference to feminine attire, had heard
of so celebrated an artist as Mrs. Gilbert;
and he knew she would not fall short in
any way-therefore on that point he felt
considerable relief.
ut is most extraordinary piece of good
nature on 'my lady the Countess's' part-I
| never knew her guilty of a similar one be-
fore. All is well that ends well, Florence.
| But what have you done about the picture?
| Did Therese return that"
awe have had to do without it would
not send for it; but you know it was al
most the same as the one in our illustrated
| Byron. / have taken that to Mrs. Gilbert;
and as we drove to her, aunt Margaret sug-
gested my buying a colored print at AL
| bert's. But Mrs. Gilbert seems perfectly
competent. She says she understands the
costume entirely-and l am sure she does.
| Her only anxiety seemed about my jewels
| and the string of pearls; and told her we
| would choose what we thought would do
| from the two old-fashioned strings of poor
mammals. So / must have them from the
! bank; you know they have been there ever
! since before we went to Deanyille three
| years ago. l wanted to ask you about
| them before papa, but have always forgot
| ten"
"Those emeralds and rubies of your
| mothers are too old-fashioned and heavy for
| you Florence" Sir Arthur answered quick
| ly. "You must have some strung pearls
and jewels that are more Oriental-looking
-crescents and stars, and that kind of
| thing. l will attend carefully to that part
| of your costume myself. | will see Barton
| we must hire for the occasion. It would
| be thousand pities to run the chance of
| spelling your dress by not having exactly
| what is required"
| The idea of appearing in borrowed fine
ry seemed distasteful to Miss Worthington,
and her face betrayed what she felt.
| at is constantly done, child-done for
| all the Drawing-rooms, Sir Arthur said.
| Ask your aunt if | am not right" he ad-
| ded. awe must try to make out list Of
what you require-half dozen armlets at
least, and unlimited strings of pearls; they
would all cost a larger fortune than mine,
|
| getting late, dear, and | have not broken
my fast since early morning" He did look
| tired, and faint and heart wearied. "Send
| your aunt to me for few minutes while
! you dress-I don't suppose you will be
long"
| "Ten. minutes will suffice to-day, papa;
L don't imagine you will care for my max
ing an elaborate toilet, as we shall be alone.
But there is nothing wrong, is there" she
asked, hesitating moment, and laying her
hand on his Notwithstanding wrong, pa
pa, that you want to see aunt Margaret?
Tell me instead, if there is" she begged
earnestly.
"Wrong, dear? nothing that know Of
what could there be but that I want my
dinner? Tout va bien-all goes we'll, ]
should say. But one word, Florence dear
| esf'-and he detained her as she was pass
! ing him. "Has your aunt spoken to you
about Lord Harcourt? Tell me, DEAR"
| Again scarlet flush passed over Miss
| Worthington's face, aud she answered hest
tatingly-
eyes, papa; she told me to-day that there
was some understanding between his lord
ship and yourself-provided should be in
clined to receive his attentions" she added
haughtily.
What world of anxiety there was in
Sir Arthur's face! How tightly he grasped
| her handi
"You will do that my darling-it is the
| dearest wish of my heart? 1t will be a
| princely match for you, Florence. Answer
me, DEAR" he pleaded anxiously; don't
| keep me in suspense. You will not be mad
enough to throw away such a position?
What could you wish for more?"
But Miss Worthington had no intention
of throwing away such chance; it suited
| her pride eXactly-that it suited her heart
as well she could not say. She knew that
it would remove mountain of difficulties
that her aunt had lately piled up before
her-and she was at least heart-whole.-
| But her instincts were always truthful,
and with her father she could feign least of
! all.
FIt is all as you say, papa, perhaps; but"
and she hesitated painfully
| ''But what, Florence"
al have seen so little of him; he seems to
me almost stranger" she could not help
saying.
SIS that all Florence? Must you keep
company with your young mani for weeks
before you decide that he will suit YOU?
That is rarely done in our station, Flor
| ence."
He well knew her weakness.
Nor is it what I mean, papa. It is cnIy
| as | tell you. Lord Harcourt seems al
most a stranger to me. / doubt If have
seen him six times" she said.
| "But it is always so in our sphere Flor
| ence. Suitable marriages are arranged by
competent people--they do not arrange
themselves, as in the lower classes; there
is too much at stake. If you tell me that
his lordship is really distasteful to YOU,
| darling, Heaven knows [ will not for the
whole world force your inclination or make
you wretched. But, Florence, all my
hopes are centered in you to keep UP the
honor of our house by your beauty, dear
| You cannot inherit my title, and" Sir Az
thur bit his lip angrily-G'the bulk of all
my money must go with it cannot touch
| it. And, oh, Florence, am miserably Door.
dear-cruelly poorw
| Florence had never seen her father so
moved. Had her heart been softer than it
was, it would have ached for him. AS it
was, she felt strangely moved-moved
enough to feel inclined to make more than
little sacrifice on her own part.
81 will try to do all you wish, papa
Nothing is settled yet; but | will not
thwart your wishes"
That is my darling girl ~ he said thank
| fully. ''Once let me see you settled safe
| ly, and in your proper position, and 1 shall
| be content. For myself, l must get on as
l can; but / could not bear to see you de-
barred from luxuries or comforts which are
| essential to v0jf"
'Do you fear that?" Florence asked, dis
| mayed.
"No, dear, not actually-not immediate
ly. But l have great liabilities, Florence
mortgages and other troubles hanging