Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-04

bright, winning Rex. Was he quite
the Rex of old? Was there not some
change in him-or in her? Which was
it? Had there been in the Rex of old
those reckless, even hard lines about
the mouth? Had there been in the
bright eyes at times that unmistaka-
able look which testifes to a reckless
life?
There was a picture Of Lionel Stan
hope hanging in the room, and Glare
paused before it and looked up, can
ming each line of that noble face, I'M
consciously comparing it with that
which was as wildly now before her
mental vision as this picture was be-
fore her physical sight. She saw the
difference clearly enough. She knew
that in this man resided a mighty
power that, with all his winning
graces of person and character, Rex
had V possessed-the power of ex-
allied honor and principle. Glare
knew that his was the higher nature,
the grander intellect, and yet her heart,
not her reason, chung to the memory of
that bright, living dream so rudely
Will CIucl IId1u "
this man of lofty honor.
why was he so hard, so infieXible?"
she murmured-in the dark eyes a look
Of half-paSSionate resentment and vet
of strange usefulness. "Was l so
much more beautiful than others? He
knew that I had no love to give-that
I sold myself for SO much gold. Low
ing me, he could not have so trampled
on me. Love, gifts, and jewels, and
any pretty toy l fancy"
A bitter smile curled her lips, and
she turned from the picture.
$50 he thinks to win me, to buy for
Observation-Disclosures of that one act
which shall ever bar the very thought
of love!'
She paused long in meditation; then
seemed to shake off with an effort her
gloomy thoughts.
"Wilfred will not come now," she
said, with a sigh. "My boy! How ]
long to see his dear bright face-the
only n l may Lowell"
Magnificent truly was Lady Glare
Stanhope, radiant in crimson and
white satin and cleaning jewels, as
that night she entered Lady Tregaron's
rooms: and no sooner had she so en-
tered than she was surrounded by her
Court
About half a hour later every one
was asking who hat was Lady Stan,
hope was Waiting with, and Si1
Lionel himself asked the same question
of Lady Trent.
II know his face he said, "but have
forgotten his name"
Dear me, Lionel, that is Rex Yer.
ner. He was at the election ball last
year, just before your marriage"
II remember now" answered her
cousin. Some n told me he was q
friend of the Trevelyans, I think"
"Friends? Yes!" Grace Trent laugh
ed and famed herself languidiy.
"Boy and girl lovers, [ suspect! Look
how he bends down to her as they
move away; and he escorted her to her
carriage today with the greatest
alacrity."
1.-TWO remarkable circumstances, my
dear cousin" said Sir Lionel, with q
, smile, in which mingled a tinge of sar
tdSII. LOU lluSt tIeult every one,
fear, with the character of lover who
speaks to Glare or takes her to hel
carriage"
"Oh! there is a difference declared
Grace. "What harm is there if they
. were lovers? No one marries the per
o they love, you know; and I an
sure he is handsome enough to wiz
any woman"
And now Rex led her, the queen OF
the ballroom, whose shining Satir
covered a heart the dull aching Of
which she could scarcely bear, into al
! exquisite conservatory where the ali
was laden with the perfume of ricI
eXotics. All the evening she hat
: striven to avoid being alone with him
: She would stave off if possible any
calling up of the past; she shrunE
!, with a great dread from any reproacl
; she wronged him to save what she
, held perhaps yet dearer than his love
And vet she had not dared to oppos,
e. him when he asked her to sit wher,
the cool fountain was playing, apar
from the dancers, out of the crowd, il
terror lest he should divine what wa.
in her heart, and think there was an,
, memory left of the golden days; bu
-, the naughty flush mounted to he
:, brow and her heart throbbed heaviI,
as he BEN down and said softly:
; "Ah! Glare, have you quite forgotten
/ the old days? Have you no word TO
2 me kinder than you can give to an,
t one Of the men who gather abou
you?"
' For n moment h sat looking on
. straight before her; the brilliant eye
had q strange glitter in them; sh
: drew her breath painfully. There wa
5 a proud anger for the man who dare
:. to address her-Clare Stanhope-wit
: such wordS-anger and sorrow an,
0 pain! Then she spoke steadily, wit.
II 4 control Owe every infection of TIL
I sweet voice hat half deceived hin
+ into the thought that she had bee.
. growing hard and cold.
: I ave no memory hat dates bac
. further than the day that made IN
the wife of Lionel Stanhope. l hav
no kinder words to give to you tina.
l al give to any other friend l know
in his room. This you will do we
:, to remember, Mr.. Werner"
L T - L-- FL