Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-07


domestic atmosphere at Darrell Court had in
it no sunshine; it was rather the broodins,
sullen calm that comes before a storm.
The day came when the Court was invad-
ed by an army of workmen, when a suite OF
rooms was fitted up in the most superb style,
and people gan TO talk of the coming
change. Pa fine Darrell kept so entirely
aloof from all gossip, from all friends and
visitors. that she was the last TO hear on
| whom Sir OSwaldS choice had fallen. But
one day the bar0net gave dinner-party at
which the ladies Of the house were present,
and there was no mistakiEg the illusions
made.
Pauline Darrell's face grew dark as she
listened. So, then, the threat was to be car
ried out, and the grand old place that she
had learned to love with the deepest love of
her heart was never 10 be hers! She gave no
sigh: the proud face was very pale, and the
Ozark eyes had in them a Scornful CLEAN, but
no word passed her lips.
Sir Oswald was mdiant he had never been
| seen in such high spirits; his friends had con-
graduated him, every one seemed to approve
SO highly OF his resolution; a fair and gentle
wife was ready for him-one so fair and gen
tie that it seemed to the old man as though
the lost love of MS youth had returned to
him. Who remembered the bitter, gnawing
disappointment of the girl who had cared so
little about making herself friends?
The barOnet was so delighted and every
thing seemed so bright and smiling, that he
resolved upon an act of unusual generosity.
His guests went away early, and lie retired TO
the library for few minutes. The captain
followed the ladies to the drawng-r0om, and,
| while pretending to read, sat watching Pau
lines face and wOnd ring how he was to
| pay his debts.
To ask for the loan of fifteen hundred
| pounds would be to expose his affairs to Sir
| Oswald. lie must confess then that he had
| gambled OH the turf and at play. If once the
stately old barOnGt even suspected such
| thing, there was 10 further hope of legacy
the captain was quite sure OF that. His
| anxiety was terrible, and it was all OCCASION
| cd by that proud, wlltUl girl whose beauti-
ful face was turned resolUtey from him.
Sir Oswald entered the room with a smile
on his face, and, going up to Aubrey Lang
ton, slipped folded paper into his hands.
Not word Of thanks" he said; eff you
| thank me, | shall be offended"
And Aubrey, opening the paper, found
| that it was check for five hundred pounds.
II know what life i'll London costs" said
| Sir Oswald; land you are my friends SON."
Five hundred pounds! He was compelled
! to look exceedingly grateful, but it was diff
cult. The gift was very welcome, but there
| was this great drawback attending tit was
not half sufficient to relieve him from his
! embalTassments, and it would quite prevent
his asking Sir Oswald for loan. lie sighed
deeply in his dire perp!eXty.
Still smiling, the barOuet went to the table
d., 4 I
| stood for some minutes looking at them.
Il must not let YOU hear the news of my
good fortune from strangers" he said; sit is
only due to you that should inform you
that in one month from today hope to have
the honor and happiness of making Miss Eli
nor ROchefOrd my wife"
Miss Hastings in few cautious words
wished him JOY; Pauline's white lips opened,
but no sound escaped them. Sir Oswald re-
mained for some minutes talking to Miss
Hastings, and then he crossed the room and
rang the bell.
Pauline, my dearest child?' whispered
the anxious gOyCrneSS.
Miss Darrell looked at her with a terrible
smile.
ut would have been better for her" she
| said, slowly, that she had never been born"
Pauline" cried the governess. But she
said no more.
a foOtman entered the room, to whom Sir
Oswald spoke.
Go to my study" he said, land bring me
black ebony box that You will find locked
in my wrting-table. Here are the keys"
The man returned in d few minutes. bear
ing the box i'll his hands. Sir Oswald took it to
the table where the lamps sh0ne brightly.
aubrey" he said, will you come here?
l have commission for YOU
Captain LlngtOn followed him to the table,
and some remark about the fashion Of the
box drew the attention of all present to it.
Sir Oswald raised the lid, and produced a
diamond ring.
You are going over to Audleigh Royal to-
morrow, Aubrey" he said; will you leave
this with Stamford, the jeweler' [ have
| chosen new setting for the stone. | wish
to present it to Miss Hastings as mark of
my deep gratitude to her"
Miss Hastings looked up in grateful Won
der. Sir Oswald went on talking about the
! contents of the ebony box. He showed them
many quaint treasures that it contained;
! among other things he took out roll OF
| bank-nOtes.
THAT is not very safe method of keep
ing money, Sir Oswald" said Miss Hastings.
mo, you are right" he agreed. ''Smp
sons clerk paid it to me the othG: day; | was
| busy, and put it there until l had time to
take the numbers OF the notes."
do you keep notes without preserving q
| memorandum Of theirnumbers, Sir OSwald?"
inquired Aubrey Langton. That seems to
me a great risk"
Il know it is not prudent; but there is no
| fear. have none but honest and faithful
servants about me. will take the numbers
| and send the notes to the bank tomorrow"
Yes" said Miss Hastings, quietly, cit is
| better to keep temptation from servants"
"There is no fear" he returned Il al
ways put the box away, and sleep with my
| keys under my pillow"
Sir Oswald gave Captain Laneton few
| directions about the diamond, and then the
| ladies withdrew.
"Sir Oswald" said Captain Langton, ''let
me have a cigar with you tonight. | must
no: thank you, but if you knew how grateful
! 1 feel"
81 will put away the box first, and then we
will have glass of wine, Aubrey"
| The baronet went to his study, and the
captain to his room; but in few minutes
| they met again, and Sir Oswald ordered a
bottle of his choicest Madeira. They sat
| talking for some time, and Sir Oswald told
! Aubrey all his p!ans-all that he intended to
| do. The young man listened, with envy and
! dissatisfaction burning in his heart. All
/ these plans. these hopes. these prospects.
/ might have been his but for that girls cruel
caprice.
They talked for more than an hour; and
then Sir Oswald complained of feeling
sleepy.