Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-04
hnnn nninrnd the haantiful scenery

4 1ONNN
| tiful carriage with a fine pair of hays
| WIS waiting me; a foOtman in a nea
| livery attended TO me. We drove To
| two hours amongst the widest all
most magnificent scenery l ever he
| held. The hills and woods of York
shire are too well known for me {
venture to describe them.
Deepdale Hall was built in beauti
| full and fertile valley. 1t was a large
gray building; some Of the turret
We're covered with ivy; there was Ii
appearance of novelty about it; i
looked what it really waS-a substan
tial, picturesque, fine old English man
sion. The carriage-driye to the hOus'
was through a perfect glade of gran(
chestnut trees: a slOping and Wellar
ranged pleasure grounds led from thu
front of the house to the broad, "leal
river. 1t was perfect, as though al
artist had planned it all.
Sir John Leigh received me mos
kindly. Il have good news for you
Miss Eardley," was his greeting
Your brother is much better this
morning" l was too thankful fol
words. Let me introduce you" cor
tinued Sir John, Ito my daughter
She will conduct you to your room
after which you can see Mr.. Eardley.
Sir John led the way to the drawing
room; at any other time | must have
been beWildered by that gorgeous
apartment, it seemed all one mass of
white and gold. But had all the won
ders of the earth been gathered there,
my glance would not, could not, have
Wavered from the beautiful and sin
gJIlar-lOOking girl who stood before me.
She was tall and graceful. | saw a
wealth of raven hair drawn from her
fair brow, and falling in waves and
ringlets of great beauty around her;
but it was the face that riveted my
attention so fOrcibly. What was there
in it that fascinated me? 1t was per-
fectly lovely, and yet the strange in
tentness of the expression was the
thing that most impressed me. l
never saw eyes so darEly beautiful,
vet so full of light or so earnest. She
looked as though she were continually
absorbed in solving a problem which
she was never able to accomplish.
Her face was fair and tinted like a
wild bluSh-rOSe; her sweet red lips
wee parted with a fascinating smile.
"Clarice," said Sir John, "let me in
troduce Miss Eardley to you"
She blushed wildly and half ex-
tended her hand, muttering a few con-
fused words.
Il am sure you are pleased to see
Miss Eardley," continued her father,
with Il stern. fixed look that did not
escape my attention.
She seemed to shrink from it; and
then, as though recovering herself,
came 10 me, and welcomed me with
kind, sweet words. Sir John looked
pleased.
Miss Eardley will excuse your seem
ingly strange reception, Clarice," he
said, with a smile, when she knows
how little you see of strangers or mix
with the world.
After d few more remarks l With
drew with Miss Leigh; but one circuln-
stance struck me fOrcibly. Passing
through the hall, | saw upon table
a bouquet of magnificent roses. | took
them up to examine them, and Miss
Leigh said, IF you are fond of flowers,
Miss Eardley, take those to your room.
1 had gathered them for YOU
Thanking her, l took them up. One
flower was of the most magnificent
crimson hue; it was a picture in itself
[ selected it from the others, and plac-
ing n in the bodice of Miss Leigh's
white dress. said. Pray let me fasten
this here You ought always to wear
flowers
She shuddered violently. and drew
back with a scream. ooh, take it
away" she cried. | hastily threw it
down: and. recovering herself With a
violent effort, she said, please excuse
me, Miss Eardley, but l have the great
est horror of seeing scarlet upon white;
it reminds me always of blood"
What a strange fancy" l replied,
wOnderingly.
AS | spoke a woman, apparently
forty years of age, came hastily to the
table where we stood.
rs anything the matter, Miss
Leigh" she asked, laying her hand
upon Clarice's arm.
mo, nurse she replied. Il was
frightened, that was all. l am goins
, with Miss Eardley to her room"
Il will go with you, if Miss Eardle1
will allow me-" said the nurse. Il car
assist in unpacking, as Pauline i;
busy
Pauline, let me remark en- PEASANT
was a perfect specimen of a Frencl
souhrette. She was Miss Leigh's maid
and always reminded me of the lady
maid so familiar on the stage. Sh
had sparkling dark eyes, rosy cheeks
a trim little figure, and wore the mos
coQuettish caps ever invented.
When l had refreshed myself with
bath and a change of dress, went t
see my brother. To my great deligh
he was so much better that he ha
been carried to the sofa in his dress
ing-room. He looked very pale an
thin; need l say how pleased he wa
to see me?
"Florence," he said, while the teal
glistened in his eyes, Il hardly thcugE
| should see you again
cannot describe the kindness an