Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-09
thought, and her interest in her beautiful

VI SIaIIHtu ambition, or ambition nearly
gratified. Once again she was ENJOYING a
tete-s-tete with Lord Harcourt Vernon :;
and his lordship seemed unusually moved.
There was actuailya flush on his face, mar
ring its aristocratic pallor. Miss Worth
ington, on the contrary, sat perfectly calm
and selt-pOssessed-her face perhaps
shade paler, but not whit softened. His
lordship stood at some distance from her,
his elbow resting on a Yelyet-draped man.
tle-shelf, his eyes regarding earnestly the
purchase he was once more contemplating
and which seemed to him enhanced by the
slight difficulty in obtaining it.
'You will let me have you decision to-
day, Florence? You promised it to me-
And now there can be no reason for delay,
[ think" he said; but he spoke little
nervously.
His lordship was a connoisseur in beau
ty; and he had decided that Miss Worth
ington, in all respects, was as nearly fault
less mortal could be, that her sur
roundings were now satisfactory, and suf-
ticiently respectable to justify his choice.
AS to her heart, temper, and intellect he
knew little and cared less. Her accom-
plishments were evident and sufficient.
f'There need be no delay in my decision,
Lord Harcourt, if that is what you mean,"
Miss WOrthington said coldly, and with
great deliberation. "You do me, I sup
pose, great honor, for which l must try to
be grateful; but the decision rests more
with yourself than with me. You ask me
to be your wife, and l can only repeat what
passed between us the other day. / tell
you that | will be if you care to take me
when [ also tell you that [ have not one
spark of love or affection-whicheye you
may please to call it-for you; that your
presence has no power to stir one single
emotion in my heart, and doubt if it ever
will. Esteem, respect, in our station, of
course must be superfiuous," she went on,
in low, we'll modulated tones, every word
cold and cruelty distinct. 81 care for the
position you offer me-or suppose | do"
she added sadly. at is of course humili-
ating to confess this to you, but it is the
truth. 1t is my own birthright, which /
have so nearly lost But for yourself /
care nothing. If you are willing to take
me for your wife after hearing this-should
there be wrong in our uniOn-you alone
will be to blame. 1t is your position alone
which tempts me-"
For the first time her voice trembled, her
voice dropped, and the passing softness
gave her additional attraction in his lord
ships eyes. AS the prize receded from
his grasp, SO did it seem to gain a fresh
value,
''I our acceptance is not very flattering
one, Florence" he said with nervous
laugh; "but [ can understand. You re-
sent the past little. 1 can well imagine
that; and even then, but for your pride
and GOODNESS, you might perhaps have held
me to my wOrd.'
''As if [ would, unwilIingIyW she inter-
posed with flashing eyes. But he went on
not needing the interruption.
''You will forgive that in time, Florence;
and, as my wife, your life must he a happy
one. Every wish Of yours shall be graft
fed; and the time will come when your
feelings towards me will increase both in
warmth and tenderness. OF that I am GER
tain. Until then | am content. You have
given yourself to me once more-is it not
so?" his IordsiIip asked And he walked
up to her with extended hand.
ayes, Lord Iarcourt, il YOU are content
to gratiiy my ambition. with the full knowl-
edge Of my feelings towards yoursclf.''-
And she placed her hand in that of her be-
trOthed.
He bent down, for the second time with
in few months, and soemniy kissed the
forehead of his fair tiancee. And the court
ship satisfied him. Fiorence's pride and
GOODNESS even possessed certain charm for
him.
Lord Harcourt was determined that the
wedding should not be delayed. He had
bought experience, and fancied, perhaps,
that his fair prize might once again elude
his grasp. 1t was now the end Of sum
mer; and he said the early autumn must
find them wandering in foreign Chimes
Why should there be delay? Florence had
longed solely for coronet, and the coronet
was now waiting for its wearer.
Miss WOrthington had little time for
selt-communing, for vain regret over lost
happiness, happiness thrown voluntarily
away. She had barely time for rest, for the
setting of the future Countess Vernon's
gems had to be decided upon, and all the
details Of her trousseau from Paris. Five
hundred pounds, however judiciously eX-
pended, are not ineXhaustible; and it re-
required some man@uyring to meet the
necessary demands.
Miss Worthington rode, drove, talked,
danced, and even sang few sentimental
duets with her future lord. She succeed
ed well in hiding from him so far her shud-
dering dislike to his comprehensive dis
like she had scarcely felt in old times, be-
cause then there had been no unhappy
comparison always rising in her thoughts.
She had paid dearly for her position and
could not now turn back.
Miss Worthington had not kept the Car
rington's in ignorance of her approaching
marriage. Shame however had kept her
from asking them to be present at the we'd
ding.
The days sped on, and Lady Ravens
small house seemed to be turned into a re-
pository for silk, satin, and lace. Even
Lady Meddowes' GOODNESS and dislike for
her cousin Florence disappeared under the
bride-elect'S brilliant future. She was
not too proud to show her keen interest
in all the millinery details and the costly
jewels.
On Florence herself their splendors had
already begun to pail, and the old dull
pain came back into her heart. She tried
to find relief in incesSsant amusement, and
partially succeeded. She also tried brave
ly to struggle against the loathing she felt
when the daily hour for Lord Vernon's
visit arrived, the shuddering horror when
he touched her hand, and when he some
times, though rarely, kissed her forehead.
She did not succeed so well in this. In
her former short engagement she had been
heart-whole; and then his lordship's pres
ence had seemed endurable to her, possibly
through Indifference.
Now she knew she was heart-broken for
love for another man, and that her love
grew stronger, more intense, as the days
which put him farther from her passed
quickly by.
1t wanted but three weeks to Miss
Worthington's wedding-day; and town
was nearly empty-wllich Lady Raven