Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-16

The gentleman whom Miss NorthingtoA
admitted this morning, after denying her
self to me, was, [ presume, her cousin?"
ayes, Lord Harcourt; but you do not
know that, though most respectable and,
| believe, superior person, he is neYerthe-
less tradesman. Florence would natur-
ally not wish TO bring him into contact
with yourself"
The cloud was dispersed a little now,
though not entirely.
sEHe remained just one hour and thirty
five minutes" his lordship said solemnly.
Poor Florence! Some one else had
counted the moments as we'll as herself
81 can well believe that" Lady Marga-
ret rej0ined quickly. 'EHe brought her
some presents, l believe; she also displayed
to him the manyshe has already had, which
was rather natural. The result was, poor
girl, she was over-tired and eXciteL VOLTA
tout, Lord Harcourt"
81 am glad you have explained MATTERS
SO satisfactorily, Lady Margaret, for own
to you that | have been dissatisfied and
distrustful all day." his lordsnp said. '.It
is getting late now," he added, looking at
his watch. "Pray express my very sincere
sympathy to your cousin, and say that [
hope to lind her better tomorrow, at the
usual hour" And with these parting
words, his lordship went his way, Lady
Margaret breathing sigh of relief as the
door closed on him.
"Oh, mother, poor Florence will pay the
full penalty for her past willfulness! Was
there ever another man with such tenn
per? And his two leading ideas seem TO
be jealousy and suspicion. He, of all pco-
pie in the world, need not be too particu-
lar in his inquiries after other peoples pro-
prieties, [ Think
'Margaret, pray be carefulw Lady Rl-
ven said with sudden horror, as if the
walls had ears.
'1ou need not fear, mother; Florence's
own suspicious seem to be in some way
aroused, if | may judge from few words
she has Youchsafed to me lately. OF course
L would not discourage her for the world.
Besides, matters have gone too far now
But [ am glad Lord Harcourt was not
fated to be my husband. Sir John has told
me some rather startling things about him
lately. | can only hope that Florence may
always remain unenightened. His temper
and stupidity will keep h'a hands well
filled | prophesy the pair Will come to
grief the first year. However, she Will
have her title-and she is not girl likely
to forfeit her position"
ooh, Margaret, pray don't say such
things! Husbands and wives in our sta
tion are not subjected to the little crosses
and trials of the lower classes"
'ELet us hope, mother, that it may prove
so in their case" returned Lady Margaret
signing.
sob that the next month were safely
overn' cried the elder lady. II own TO
you, Margaret that at times Florence has
Inade me seriously uneasy
''IO on need not be mother. 1t would be
impossible for Florence TO re@edc now
She would lack the courage for that, ain
sure Lady Margaret declared yeassur-
ingly.
"Good Heavens, Florence. Hnw white
you look! Surely You II" III, cn;,d:" La
dy Raven exclaimed Giaacia@ al her niece
ls she entered the ''aNli.i-goD:n on tile
following morning. s.You had better lie
down and let me send for Doctor Hanson.
Whit ails your"
"Nothing. aunt, thank you, beyond the
effects of sIeepiess night-a little worry
perhaps" She might have said, ga new
born hope"
'.Don't let Lord Harcourt see you as you
are. You are AZ white as ghost"
HTou think his lordship might regret bis
offer if he saw my brightness faded?" Miss
Worthington said in no pleasant tones. 81
should imagine my white face-if it il
white, aunt-would prove most satisfacto-
ry to him. 1t would testify to the reality
of my indisposition of yesterday
''Mrs. Gilbert has sent the silks for you
to select, FlOrcnce:' her ladyship remark
ed, wishing to turn the conversation, which
she felt was getting dangerous. They are
all lovely; but Margaret advises you to
tho praayn white al white
trying by daylight"
'EOh, aunt, spare me to-dayw Florence
said wildly. 'EOr choose for me--or rather
l@ave them unchosen. [ cannot, will not,
look at them now! The very thought of
them sickens men'
HWell, dear, don't worry yourself about
them now. Leave them for the present,
till Margaret comes. Take some hot coffee,
Florence, and try to get some color into
your cheeks" and her ladyShip filled a
cup and passed it to her niece, looking
anXiously into her face the while. 'My
dear, fear you are i'll. Tell me what you
feel. You really make me ANXIOUS" her
ladyship added earnestly,
"You need not be, aunt. | am really
well, beyond being tired through a sleep
less night and Il heartache. They are both
ordinary ailments, and need cause no anXi-
ETY."
But you have no business with either,
Florence"
"Aunt, answer me truly. Do you hon
estly think that Lord Harcourt's love, or
atfection-call it what you please-is an
all-satisfying possession for me-for any
girl of my age, Of course putting his lord
ships coronet out of the question?'
"But you can scarcely separate one from
the other FIopnDpe .Ova, SaapoS to
to be hardly tit term to use in our posi-
ton. Of course it is understood. One
feels esteem and respect for ores husband,
and affection Will come. remember, + Ior-
ence dear, in your position you cannot be
tried by little daily troubles and cares so
constantly recurring in other classeS.''
"And you conscientiously assure me.
aunt Margaret, that you think l may feel
esteem and respect for Lord Harcourt, and
that affection will Gomez" Miss Worth.
ington asked.
But Lady Raven liked the tone of her
niece's voice less than the question-her
white face least of all.
"Of course | do, my dear; and [ think
you are most fortunate girl. You are
making much more brilliant match than
your cousin Margaret made"
"Perhaps so, but of the two | think L
should prefer Sir John Meddowes," the
peryerse PeereSs-elect declared.
~ do not like to hear you talk SO wildly,
Florence; and-forgiye my saying so.
dear-I do not think it is in very good
taste. / must say you have been very good
and tractable, hitherto, and taken the ad.
vice of your elders, which young people
nowadays are not apt to do. And [ am
proud of you-as proud as if you were my