Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-14

| air man. His wife was the leading
| spirit of the establishment. He suf-
Tered from al internal disease, which
| had completely upset his nervous sys-
TEN. On hearing what h9d happened,
/ he eagerly accepted bis wife's sug-
geStion that the soldiers should be
sent for. a telegram was forthwith
dispatched to the nearest town. some
y miles distant
Captain Legendre found that Violet
PomerOy and May Foster had arrived
together an hour previously. and both
young ladies' greeted him cordially.
He was a general favorite with the
fair sex. During tea he paid particu-
lar attention to Miss POmerOy. who
was looking most charming. although
her clothes were more 'towny'' than
those of her companion. Violet was
smart and effective. True, she did net
talk much, but she had a charming
smile, which atoned with her admir-
ers for any deficiencies in the CONVEX
sational line. May was chatty and
agreeable to every one. They were
a party of about a dozen staying in
the house, mostly smart London peo-
pie, glad to escape to the country, but
bearing an unmistakable imprint of
town" about them. The ladies ap-
peared in gorgeous array. Violet wore
a most becoming sea-green brocade
made in the very latest fashion, and
her white neck and arms spark1ed
with diamonds. If it were permissible
TO criticise where the result was so
beWitching, a cynic might have said
that for a young girl, she was de
cfdedly over dressed. Mays simple,
white crepe gown looked quite plain
in comparison. She went in to dinner
with a lOng-winded old fOgy, while
Violet, as a matter of course was told
off to Capt. Legendre. Some people
had such luck. The dinner was first
rate-Mr. Seabright prided himself
upon his cOOk-the wines excellent:
but, somehow, a feeling of c0nstraint
prevailed. The host and hostess were
unusually silent and the strike seemed
to have affected their spirits. Just as
the ladies were about to rise from the
table, a servant entered, bearing a
telegram on a silver salver. Mr.. Sea-
bright opened it hastily and read the
contents. Then he heaved a sigh of
relief, and, looking toward his wife,
said:
cts all right. Col. Miller is com
ing himself with a company of sol
! diers. Now we can sleep quietly in
our beds"
''PrOvided he comes early enough"
said his wife.
"Oh! they are sure to be here at 6
o'clock tomorrow morning"
Then we shall be protected from
these roughs. Girls" addressing her
guests, ''yOu are not nervous, are
your"
mot in the least" answered May.
readily.
Violet said, somewhat petulantly,
| "Why do you try to brighten us, Mrs.
Seabright? There is no danger sure
ly?"
"NOne while l am here to defend
YOU whispered Capt. Legendre in
her ear. She smiled at him, and won
dered how much longer he would he
before proposing. He was an eligible
parti, and she was anxious to bring
the affair to an end. 1t had been drag
cling on too long, in her opinion. In
deed, she was puzzled to know why
he delayed. That he admired her she
was certain. She had come to Gwyn-
hynIleth determined to bring him to
the point She was % years of age,
and with her good looks, people were
beginning to wonder why she did not
get married. After dinner several of
the party sat down to a round game
of cards, but Violet declined to join,
complaining of the heat
Let us go for a turn in the garden"
she whispered to Capt. Legendre. at
lis a shame to sit down to poker on
such a lovely night as this
| He had dined we'll and drunk of his
hosts eXhilarating champagne. Her
fair, babyiSh beauty appealed to his
! senses. Over and over again he had
! been on the point of proposing, but
! some ineXplicaOie feeling had always
! held him back. He could not define it.
He only knew that while he admired
| her enormously physically, there were
| moments when she almost repealed
! him, and he became conscious Of a
certain mental inferiority. They
! stepped through the long French VIM
dow into the garden. 1t was lovely
! summers evening.
! He looked at her smooth cheek, her
; polished arms shining whitley III the
moonlight, inhaled the fragrance of
/ her fresh skin, and Of a sudden a
| wave Of passion swept over his being.
! AS they stood there together he knew
that the fateful moment had come and
/ it was useless to struggle longer.
How pretty you are!" he burst out.
4 don't think you have ever looked
more lowell than you do tonight"
Il am glad that your lordship is
! pleased she returned, with a little
tremor in her voice, for something
: in his tone told her that the hour of
her triumph was at hand.
L must speak" he began, catching
her in his arms. oh! Violet, l thought
that you knew loved you"
And if l did, there are some things
that girl likes to be told"
He was struck by the truth of the
remark, and was proceeding to make
amends for any former shortcomings,