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


On this occasion unusually elaborate
| preparations had been made for the recep-
| ton of Florence. Philip had given her the
| invitation himself, and had been but little
| annoyed by her obstinate refusal Her
| temper had been slightly rufled before
| hand. which was fatal 20 her ac,' lance,
| IN spite OF her ycarnu@ wildly to
Moreover, Florence had unluckily re-
| ceived long letter from Lady Raven that
| morning, full of most aristocratic arrange
| ments for the future-plans that should
| disentan@Ie Florence courteously from her
objectionable relatives. Miss Worthtngton
| was trying hard, though rather vainly, to
| force herself to believe that, low as her
fate had lately dragged her, she had not
| yet fallen - irrctriayahIy as to condeseend
! TO accept any hospitality or amusement at
her cousins hated shop; but she knew
| too well that in her heart she would have
given anything that she possessed to see
Philips chambers and private rooms, TO re-
ceive pleasures from hands she was learn
| ing to love too well, whose lightest touch
| would sometimes thrill dangerously through
| her whole frame. The way to yield, now
| however to please herself, was not made
sufficiently easy TO her. Had Philip him
| self asked her again, urged her enough, she
! would have gratihed her burning desire by
grac:oUsIy Welding; but he had done SO on
| the previous occasion, When she cared less
and would not be prevailed upon, and now
| his invitation was not repeated.
In vain Maud took il for granted that
| she was coming with them that bright at
ternoon-nay, she even urged her-While
pretty Ethel pleaded-pleading which few
could have resisted. Florence waited like
| spoilt child for words that did not come,
| for a sweet voice that was dumb; and her
persistent refusal became almost fearful
| with veXation, the girls thought at their
| persistence, and they ceased to urge.
The time was at hand, and they were all
| on the point of starting for Oxford Street
| and the dreadful shop, their pleasure not
a little spOilt by their Cousins unSociable-
ness. Florence tried to settle down to
answer her aunt's letters, but was almost
in tears is she saw the girls pass her door,
nodding their goodbye on the way and
promising not to be late. Then there was
a moments lingering in the hall, and Phil
| ip ran UP stairs for something he had for
gotten. An irrepressible impulse brought
! Florence to her door as he was hurrying
past, and he stopped. Her eyes were
| fearful and her voice was tremulous; she
| was little used to self-denial, and it tried
| her sorely.
"Philip, may 1 Gomez" In another mo-
ment she had broken down, and was turn
ing away.
EWonders will never cease" thought
Philip, following Florence at once in
| to her room. Again his hand lightly
| touched her waist, and this time it did
| not seem to degrade her as it had done be-
fore.
"llay you come, Florence? Do | hear
rightly! Ny dear child, yes a thousand
times. You had nearly spoilr all my pleas
ure--mine, doar-do you hear;" he asked,
bending close TO her. ''Why did you leave
it to the last? 1t is the merest chance we
had not st1rted.'
"You never asked me-" Florence said
like a spoiIt child, as she was.
"'Not this time, Florence-your refusal
was little too decided the last. But
shall know now. Your NO always means
| yes fog the FUTURE" he said laughing
81 will never take your No again, remem-
Der that" he added earnestly. "Now get
| ready quickly, or the Hastings party will
arrive before us. They are coming-you
know that:" he said half fearfully.
ooh, yes, know thatw Florence an
swered neryously; and Philip Darlington
turned away, his pulses throbbing, his eyes
seemingly opened TO such sudden flash OF
sunlight as nearly dazed him.
No longer need he repress all his yearn-
ings, all his feelings, as he had hitherto
done. What if he had mistaken his cousin
from the first, if her pride had only been
| reticence-a spoilt girl's coquetry?
e.Giri., watp' he shouted. difference
is comin":"
I'm I,,f
stairs TO know the truth, and found Miss
Worthington nearly dressed, her Grape veil
drawn tightly over her face.
"Why Florence, what made You change
your mind so quickly" Maud asked, with
\ some reason.
because she knew we wished it." Phil
ip answered with unusual shOrtness.
a few minutes later they were all out
in the fresh autumn air, FIorence's hand
held tightly under her Cousins arm, lit
tie shame, little nervousness, and q great
deal Of happiness in her heart; but she
soon found herself talking animatedly with
the others, though sometimes wondering
curiOuSlY what her Cousins chambers could
be like. In her heart she knew. let them
be what they mi sht or where they might,
they were Philip Carrington'S and thar
They walked on until they were tired, or
rather fancied Florence might be, and
then took q cab to Oxford Street, within a
stones throw of the park; and presently
Florence found herself deposited in front
Of some imposing-lGoking premises not a
shop.
She followed her cousins up to the third
floor, where Philip producing his latch-key
rl
Miss Worthington not little. It was q
large handsome sitting room. furnished as
luxuriously as any bachelors sitting-room
could be, with a deep crimson carpet, oak
and Utrecht velvet chairs, rich rep cur
tains that drapcd three large windows, and
numerous easy chairs. Philip after wheel
ing one to the window. seated Florence
therein, babe her amuse herself with a
sight she had never seen before from such
al elevation-the busy street below; and
| Florence was as pleased as child.
81 had no idea your rooms could be like
these" she said, amazed.
"IIad you mott" her cousin asked, stoop-
| ing close to her. "No, Florence, | can
| well imagine that. You thought | lived,
when in my own home, in some little dark
shops not that the case?" he asked
| laughing.
L tOTtuCe was recovering DeT splF1tS anu
answered bravely:
.Shall 1 tell you the truth. did think
| So"
"And were properly disguised, cousin.
1 shalt not wonder if you have a few more
| favorable discoveries to make yet-if you
| care to do So"
81 am afraid you will not like papa's
| place so well Florence" Ethel said-.ft is
much less grand; but then you know he