Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-10-11
A KNIGHT ERR.lNT,

CdhlnS 1t from the concierge, Mr.. Max
well sat down on one Of the cane sofas
in the hall to per,use it. He first
glanced at the address. and then back
again to where an enhancing view of
the Sunlit Lake of Geneva was visible
through the open drawing room door.
1t was early spring, and the Hotel
Beau-Rirage, Ouchy, had not yet it's
full complement of guests, although
there was tolerably presentable list
Of visitors already posted in the hall
Most Of these good people, however,
were at this time either sleeping the
sleep of good digesters or making eX-
petitions in the neighbOrhood and
apparently no one would disturb Mr.
Maxwell in the perusal OF his home
news; and at last, without muf1' en-
thusiasm, he tore open the envelope
and read
MY Dear Theophilus-I am glad to
hear that you are feeling so much
better for your holiday, and | am not
selfish enough to ask you to hurry your
return, though l must confess. i wish
i were with you. Dear mother has
quite recovered now and there is real
ly no reason why | should not Join
you -
Ir. Maxwell uttered q half-sup-
pressed Groan and read on rapidly:
g. except that | know you would
not like me to travel so far alone
However, | have a delightful little
plan which | am sure you will ap-
nf
wife are going over to Paris for a
little while, and they propose that [
should join them and meet you there
/ am 50 perfectly certain of your con-
sent that | have already. arranged il
so. We shall stay at the Grand, so
write to me there, or better still, tele-
graph that you are coming very soon
So.-Your loving wife.
Felicia
Not if | know it." mllrmured Mr.
Maxwell as he stuffed the letter into
The pocket of his tourist coat Pm
finding Ouchy good deal too pleasant
TO be in any hurry to leave it, and
the worthy gentleman smiled a con
tented smile, and generally pulled HIM
self together with a Self-SatiSfied air
Then, having assured himself by means
of the concierge's window thpt his tie
was precisely the right angle, and that
his moustache had exactly the requisite
twirl. he glanced up at the hall clock,
which, after the manner of its kind
usually entailed Il little exercise IN
mental arithmetic before the correct
time could be ascertained. Just al til s
moment, however the patter Of a pair
of nigh heels behind him made MI
Maxwell turn sharply.
Have l kept you waiting?" asked
the newcomer in a peculiarly sweet
7oice.
oh! il does not signify the least lit
tie bit in the world, dear Mrs. Vane,"
answered he effuSively. Il ordered the
boat for ) O'clock. Shall we 30 now?
Are YOU sure you are quite warm
enough; won't you let me get you an
other wrap?'
"oh, no. really. Thank you so much"
and the lady allowed her companion
TO relieve her Of the cloak she was
carrying, and together they made their
way down the avenue which led to the
lake, while the concierge watched them
with the broadcast grin his face was
capable of, and as his face was Swiss
one, that is saying Il good deal.
Seated in the stern, with the steer
ing ropes held loosely In her dainty
gloved hands Mrs. Vane's severity
of denleanor speedily relaxed; she
laughed lightly at her companion's
somewhat pOnderous compliments and
jokes, listened amiaDly to his anec-
dotes and adventures, and presently
she herself took up the tale and told
him of herself. Her father was a
canon of Gloucester cathedral, she had
been married four years ago, when
she WAS Is, and her husband. Regi-
maid, was the dearest creature in the
world, and the hazel eyes wore such
wondrous light that Mrs. Maxwell
well nigh lost control of his ScullS.
This paragon of married lovers wa!
at this precise moment at Nice, where
she was to join him shortly; theil
separation had been most painful t
both of them, but stern duty kept Mr.
Vane by the couch of an invalid aunt
while Mrs. Vanes delicate health need
ed khe briSker air of the Swiss lakes
And so the time passed on.
Mr. Maxwell had reached an ag
when fine menu is by no means ;
detail of life, yet never had a goot
;hc HxOTfbEOd,f doofn :, fl Tiff
dinner seemed so insufferably tedicu
TO him as this. Mrs. Vane sat oppO
site to him. but it was impossible t.
exchange any word with her whic1
the whole table could not hear. fol
leedless to say, after the afternoon
escapade they were the observed o
all obs rvers.
Everything comes to those who wait
and in due course came the petit
fours and almonds and raisins. speed
ly followed by a general stampede.
At the moment when Mrs. Vane ros
Theophilus Maxwell also sprang to hi
feet, so that he was close behind he
as she reached the dining room doc
and a servant handed her d telegram
She tore it open eagerly, and then L
saw the color fade from her face. bl
before he could reach her side 81
guests. He promptly followed her u
stairs and raped at her door.
There was no answer at first, onl
the historical sobs
Dear Mrs. Vane, for heavens SAX