Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-28
The Shattered Idol.
BY THE AUTHOR OF DORA THORNE."
CHAPTER III.

Wv c"S ". -
a book of photographs and talking to
DORA gay and pretty maiden just
presented to the world" who had
fallen violently in love with Clara.
She and her mother had been stay
ing at Lausanne, where, it seemed.
they had met with Wilfred's reading
party. Dora was half kneeling on a
low chair beside Lady S~tanhOpe, look
ing at the photographs. OF the other
members of the party some had drawn
round the fire, while Lionel was listen
ing to the lively talk of the young
countess of TregarOn. But often his
eyes rested on his wife's Bonded head;
and across his companions chatter he
could hear her Sweet-toned voice and
Dora's merry laugh.
Clara looked up as Lady Trent ad-
dressed her.
ga large party? Yes; there will be
enough gayety, 1 hope, to satisfy even
Dora answered Clara, with a smile.
''Do you know" continued Lady
Trent, 1--WE met some one you know at
Lausanne-passing through-Mr. Yer
, ner, or Rex Werner, as every n calls
him?'
Lionel. whose glance just then had
rested on his wife, saw her lift her
ewes for Cne second-Saw that from
their depths sprung a loOk as OF one
who has sustained some mental shock.
It passed directly, as if she had not
heard the words that called it forth.
81 remember" she answered.; then,
quietly, in her usual manner, S you
met him? i did not know he was
abroad"
"He was on his way to England, l
believe. He spoke a great deal OF
YOU, my dear said Lady Trent, With
a smile. "But your brother did not
seem to like him. Indeed, [ scarcely
wonder, for, from all / hear, Mr..
Werner is-somewhat of a worthless
fellow"
"I p he is much like other
young men," remarked Clara, turning
over the leaves of the album.
Dora broke in d~eprecatingly, the
Young men near having been drawn
off by the countess to look at some
piece of Moorish carving which Sir
Lionel had brought from Granada.
ooh. mamma! he is so handsome and
so nicer
"a woman's speech, Dora!' said
Clara. passing her handkerchief over
her lips tC hide her quivering.
"He is certainly, with n exception,
the most handsome man / nave ever
seem" observed Lady Trent, emphatl-
cally. "Lionel is the exception. But
there is undoubtedly a singular tascln'
alton about him-Verner, | mean. He
has all that bright. winning manner
of the Irish gentleman. l quite thlnB
it is impossible TO remember what
he is"
''Some one has been giving Mr.. Yer
ner a very bad character" said Clara
stopping to pick up her handkerchief
which she had let fall. 81 am afraic
his friends have been busy"
ooh, Clara, you naughty, sarcastic
girl!' cried Dora. ellis enemies-if III
has any!"
''There lives no man. Dora Car;
said, lifting her eyes to the girls face
and speaking with an unconscious bit
tprnesS in the clear voice, $50 winning
so handsome, so favored, who has no
his enemies ready to hound down hi'
Enthusiastically passing over the few
virtues his friends leave him."
But really. my dear Clara" re
marked Lady Trent, 81 have hear(
stories about Mr.. Werner which ar
quite authentic. MI. Davenant told m
he was we'll known at MonacO-tha
paradise of gamblers; and other storie
of course there are. However, l hav
no doubt he has many tempations.'
''NIay | ask for whom that GENT
palliation is made. Grace?" said tn
soft voice Clara had never NOR
dreaded to hear: and Lionel came u
20 the group. Certainly 'temptatlo
covers a multitude of sins"
Lady Trent was telling me h ha
met some one we knew remarke
Clara, answering before her cousin
"She is very severe on a young ma
who is well known at Monaco; and {
whom there are other 'StOrieS,' but a
lows that he may have temptations"
"a very handsome man like he
Werner" said Lady Trent. smoothlr
her dress. 'is certain to find a no
of apologistS among the youth of III
fair sex. Am l % right, Lionel|
''Turn it the other way, Grace" 7
piled Sir Lionel, half smiling, "aT
you will find the same fault-it fau
it be. A woman's apolOgist is rare
found among those of her w SEX
Clara shaded her eyes with her han
and seemed to be looking at the pictu
before her; but no light of that p1ctrl
dwelt on her sight. Outwardly ca.
and intensely quiet, III suffered
that moment a very agony internal
WHY should those words make her
most sick-dizzy with a wild fear!
"Rut we are getting very grave !
a drawing room conversation" ADD
Stanhope: "some one owe there
asking for music-Or perhaps you {
tired, Clara?'
"Not at all, thanks" and Glare II
up directly, thankful for the DIVERSE
and moved away to join the HI
gathered round the countess, who "
still d%iscoursing enthusiastically
antique carving, while Sir Lilo
opened the magnificent Broadwoo(
Dear Lady Stanhope," cried
Iadyship, "your husband says y
have a mosaic that came from the
hambra itself: some old Spaniard g:
it YOU. l ar 81 interested in all
zoos