Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-05-30
Chapter II.

The sun was shining brightly into
the breakfaSt-rOOm Of a great house
in Park Lane, a room full of flowers
and beautiful things, though no doubt
the most beautiful things there were
the human creatures in the picture
Lady Hyacinth EgertOn, looking eX-
quiSite in cream and pale blue morn
ing robe, her golden hair curling in
short waves all over her bOnny head,
her great blue eyes, heavily fringed,
shining with happiness, as she looked
from the handsome man who sat near
glancing over his letters, to the two
lovely children who were playing on
the rug at his feet, and one of whom.
a little tot of ten months, now and
then made frantic clutches at its
fathers hand in order to get up to his
knee; the eldest. beautiful boy of
two years old, laughing in superior
glee at the tiny sisters efforts.
Four years OF such perfect happiness,
as seems given to few to enjOy-not
a speck in their sky, not a cloud even
between those two.
If as maiden and bride. Gerald Eyer
ton had loved his darling; as wife and
mother, his love had but deepened, had
lost none of the lovers tenderness. the
lovers chivalrous devotion.
And she? She worshipped him as
girl. and wife. and mother.
1t makes me afraid she said some
times: Gerald, we are so perfectly
happy"
I'VE can never he quite unhappy, my
own child" he would tell her, softly;
while we have each other, our trust,
and love"
"Oh! Gerald" cried Hyacinth, this
morning, laughing; 'look at that mite
of a daughter of yours. That's the
fourth time she's tried to get up to
your knee: and Ernie does nothing but
laugh"
Gerald looked down and laughed too
only he had compassion on his wee
maiden, and put down his letters and
took her up and wrapped her to him,
covering her with kisses.
my precious white flower" he said,
tenderly; you are quite content to
lie here and be petted. That's like
your mother" said he, with a wicked
glance at his young wife. What! En-
ME wants to come, too? What spoons
your children are, Cynthia!"
It's you makes them so, them re
torted Hyacinth. merrily.
Springing up and coming over, she
dropped on her knee beside her hus-
band and was drawn to him as well.
"All my darlings!' he said. softly.
Mother the biggest darling" said
Ernie, solemnly and axiously.
And Gerald smiled and kissed
mothers" lips with a something that
was not even for the mothers darlingS.
But Hyacinth drew herself away as
a footman entered and said there was
a man wished to see her.
$50 earlv!" said the girl ooh, John
son. ask him to come in here; it's the
man about the new Victoria"
The person, however, who entered
was not that individual. He simply
bowed when he came in cOlored up to
the roots of his hair, and handed a
legal-looking document to Lady Hya-
cinth. first asking if she We're Lady
Hyacinth EgertoD," and before Lady
Hyacinth could recover from her as
toniShment or look at the paper. had
positively bolted.
She heard the hall door close
What an extraordinary creature. :
said she laughing: hasn't he eve,
seen lady before? Is it a summons
Gerald?"
Then she glanced at it. and some
thing arrested her eye. ''Divorc'
Court
That was what she saw. and it mad,
her pale. and feel a kind of apprehen
sion.
What has that got to do with me-?
she said. II hope it's not to appear a
witness: l should hate to he il
that wretched court. Besides
She tore open the document
Gerald. absorbed in letters did no
notice her: but the next minute wit
cry that rang through his very heart
the girl flung it from her
MY Godr' she said. and shrank an