Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-26

4 rose in my hair" exclaimed Lillys
Forsythe as she stood in all her queenly
| beauty before the long mirror in hel
boudoir.
Il should consider my toilet incom
plete without it." as the little French
maid brought forth a crimson rose tc
pin in her young msitress's hair.
Luys made 4 beautiful picture in
the full glare of the light, which caused
her raven hair to seem b1acker against
the delicate yellow Of her evening
gown
"N1ademoiselle looks beautiful-like
| a BRIDE remarked Jeanne.
DO you think 500" said Li-lys, glanc-
ing dreamily at her own reflection
then frightening suddenly.
Jeanne, your are fatterer-I do
not believe you-beSides, brides never
wear red roses. The idea. Jeanne
only my third ball tonight, and to look
like a bride! You may rest assured
l am going to enjoy life now and shall
not marry for many a year"
''Ah! Mile. Lilly, qui salt. You will
be in love before you are aware" re-
piled jeanne with a wise nod of her
head.
Lillys laughed gayly, took a few last
| glances at herself in the mirror and
was satisfied.
The clock on the mantel struck 9,
and Lillys was buttOning the last but
ton of her long gloves, when the SER
want announced Mr. Crayton
Every well, shall be down directly
Jeanne throw my opera cloak over me,
don't muss the lace-there, hand me
the fan-I'm ready"
The next moment Lillys had reached
the drawing room and greeted Mr.
CraytOn, her escort for the evening
Arrived at the significantly lighted
dancing hall Of Mrs. Upton's handsome
mansion, Lillys Forsythe was at once
the centre Of atitra ctiOn
1t was Il well established fact that
Kenneth CraytOn was madly in love
w th the young woman and that he
was the favOrite one of her admirers
| say "favoite," inaSmuch us she ac-
cepted his invitations more frequently
than others, but just this evening she
became convinced hat she was not the
least bit in love with him.
"Of course l am to have my usual
number Of dances on your program,
Miss Forsythe?" said Kenneth Crayton.
81 think not, Mr.. Crayton, as Mr..
Barlow has already secured several
and ~
Then [ am to understand that l
may take what is left?' questioned
Crayton, not without sarcasm, for if
there was one thing he could not en-
dure, it was to see himself eclipsed
by another, so ambitious was he and so
accustomed to success.
go, not exactly" replied Lillys,
with a sweet smile. the instrument
which had never failed her in conquer
ing him.
"Confound Barlow, anyhow" he muir
INJURED.
Mr.. Crayton." as she looked at him
with q ira gi-cOmical expression which
was very fetching, "how compliment
taryr'
Later in the evening, as the strains
+.
Lillys, leaning on the arm of Herbert
Barlow, walked into the library. and
there in q secluded nook they sat
down ON the divan.
Lllys had a peculiar way of making
herself effective: she did not pose, but,
being graceful, every one Of her atti-
tides was picturesque and pleasing.
Herbert Barlow's eyes even were daZ-
zled by her enhancing loneliness as
she sat there against the rich Oriental
tapestries, with her sparkling, brown
eyes scanning his face.
"Oh, I had almost forgotten, this is
the waltz I promised Mr.. Crayton. Do
take me back to the ballroom, Mr..
Barlow, before it is too late
{ Miss Forsythe," began Barlow, in
measured tones, looking steadfastly at
the girl with his penetrating gray eyes,
'can you not give up one dance with
that man for me-"
Yes, but Lillys tried not to
notice or understand the last words.
''NIr. CraytOn was already complain
ing of being treated unfairly by me to-
night and So"
$50 it would serve him right to suf-
fer a little for such a remark" put
in Barlow.
No" with a little pout, mot exactly:
he has been very kind to me all along y
3 With that the girl rose, and there
was nothing for Barlow to do but to
escort her and to wonder why she
treated him with such exasperating in
difference.
LillyS Forsythe was an orphan, and
the heireSs of her fathers enormous
wealth. For year or more she had
made her home with a married cousin
several years her senior. Dorothy
Kirk and Iillys Forsythe, besides be
ing cousins, were the best of friends
and Gordon, Dorothy's husband, great
" appreciated the presence of his wife's
relative at his home.
1T kind of ivens up the house" sc
Mr.. Kirk expressed it, "to have young
girl around. A man likes to see some
merrymakfng when he comes homo
from his office"
As for Lillys, she was perfectly happy
when Dorothy gave her permission tC
have the apartments adjoining the nur
sery, for she was exceedingly fond OF
her cousins children, and in turn was
their very idol. Of the three, rolick
ing, romping, 4-year-old Teddie was
the especial favorite of Aunt Lillys
In her rooms he was monarch of al
J,o ani not ,11nrI1inp wont hy