Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-05-12

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He valued he reproaches at exactly what
they were worth. Nevertheless, man-like,
he was grieved when he saw he had thor
oughly succeeded III paining her. She
might place her little foot upon his neck,
should she choose to do so; but she must
once acknowledge mis- equality with her.
self. 1t was only that day he had been
yainly wishing to himself that she had nev-
er broken in on their quiet home-circle;
now he was inwardly blessing the day she
had come. The prize he had dared to COW
ct he now felt sure in time would be his
own. She might torment him as to the
ways and means of obtaining it; but in the
end she would be his.
Miss WOrthington walked straight from
the hall-doOr to her own room; the girls
fingered for a few moments below, and
then followed her. When Florence raised
her veil Maud's quick eyes discovered That
she had been crying. Ethel was too full
of her own walk, and said that John Hast
ingo and herself had been quarreIng.
.'He is SO provokingw she declared
He persists in always wishing Cambridge
to win the b0at-race. And he has not for
gotten my oxford blue bonnet Of last year,
which he said was hideous," she said laugh
ing. "Neyertheless l told him that L have
kept it relgiously for the next race. have
not really; but | will have another made
OF exactly the same color"
"W hat nonsense Ethefl' her sister said.
"As if you cared a straw which wong'
'"But | do care Maud! And John de-
cides for Cambridge only out of pure per-
Versity-ind | do believe to tease me. Now
| stand up for Oxford, because Philip was
there; so | at least have reason on my side
you know that"
Gould Florence believe her ears?
IVA, your brother at OXford:" she ask
ed quickly, turniug-from the light.
"Philip was at Harrow and oxford too"
said Maud. ~ fancy papa was unable to
afford it; but uncle Edward insisted upon
it. | think Phil would liked best to have
gone to the Bar afterwards; but papa
wished him so much to be with him, and
to be an analytical chemist, that Philip
gave M his own wishes; and then uncle
Edw3rd lift him all his own business,
which papa says i GOOD onc. Phil has
always been lucky" continued Maud.
'Let us hope he will be lucky in his wife
then" laughed Ethel.
difference, you are over tired. The walk
has been too much for you," said Maud
"Come down stairs and have some wine,
to 60 down stairs. .Phlip was foolish to
let you walk so far. Of course it is nothing
unusual for u.s."
sTYour brother did wish me TO ride, and
l would not; but | shall be all right to-
morrow. Say good night for me down.
stairs, Ethel" Florence requested.
VainIy Philip watched the drawing room
door for his cousins temperance.
Is she coming?" he asked Ethel softly,
as she passed him.
'.No; think not. She says she is too
tired"
A few minutes later Philip was standing
before Miss Worthington's closed door,
"OnIy say good night, Florence" The re-
peated thrice; but no answer came for
him.
Maud heard him OH the landing as she
passed, and stopped moment to listen.
"Why, she must be asleep, Phil She
was dead tired"
"She must have been pretty quick about
it then. 1t can be only ten minutes
since Ethel left her. You say good night,
Maud"
Florence's voice now responded quickly
enough
"Good night. l am so tired, and hurry
ing to bed. Don't wait, dear"
shall pay me for this" And the next
morning he was up and away before Miss
WOrthington's first appearance was made.
Ethel, with an unusual long face en-
lightened her as to her brothers move
ments.
"It is shame, Florencel Philip de-
clares that he shall not be at home again
for week or ten days. He says he has
some heavy work on hand, which he must
attend TO closely night and day"
Florence, to all outward appearance, was
sublimely Indifferent
cit is so odd that he never said a word
about it yesterday" Maud interposed.
eyes; it is Il shame of him." Ethel de-
clared. 'And he so seldom stays away
only once or twice in way. He told
mamma this morning he could not be home
for week at least, though he will run in
to see papa. And he says we may have
tea with him Thursday, if we like. |
can't endure the house when he is away"
"At any rate you will have to try to do
so for week at least, Ethel!' her sister
answered.
A burning sun, though it was nearly
winter, was shining into the open windows
Of handsome drawing-room in the Rue
u llaClnCa, N ice. OEanSe-LEeeS were III
flower, and the air was heavily laden with
their sweet perfume; everywhere was the
SKY clear, and blue with that intense blue
ness that is seen only in Italy and the
South of France. The season was winter
only in name. The Countess Raven was
even tanning herself close to the open Win
dow, and her daughter, Lady Meddowes,
was playing with her son and heir, on ac-
count Of whose supposed delicate health
she intended wintering in the South of
France.
Johnny does look stronger, does he not,
mother?" Lady MeddoWes asked. "See
what lovely color he is gettingv'
The child, a fair little boy OF about two
years, was romping boisterously, with few
signs of being really fragile or delicate, OF
his young mothers lap, while two little
girls were building mimic houses on the
polished oak floor
eyes; | don't think there is much to
worry about with him Margarut; he seems
strong and WELL"
.sBut still it was a wise precaution to
come here for the winter, because you
know, he never has been quite himself,
since he had the whooping-cough last
spring"
..dadge looks and seems more delicate to
me-" said Lady Raven.
.sOh, | don't think she ails p the
mother answered carelessly, soon betray-
ing where all her strongest feelings were
concentrated. alt is dull here, though
sunshine and blue sky everlasting, but no
amusement of any kind" Lady AIeddowes
went on fretfully; ''and John never sends
-