Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-26

which a great artist had been engaged
TO come up from New York.
This will give you enough for to-
day" said Mrs Caldwell, rising 10 go.
You will consider this room your own
to sit in at all hours, but your meals
will be taken in what we call the
school room, which is more conyep-
lent for the servants to carry the
trays into. I-er-think you probably
dined there last night. 1t is a nice
little room, and hope you will take
care that they give you everything
nicely. The housekeeper has the
strictest orders about my secretary s
comfort, and you must Immediately
report to her if anything is omitted.
AT any time when you want to drive
out, one of the grooms can take you in
the basket phaeton; and, as you see.
there are books here, ana piano. if
you play. l am happy TO say that
think you will suit me exactly: and l
am glad Maud Branham spoke Of you.
Your salary will be paid monthly, and
here handing her a check is the first
month in advance, as you may have
some purchases to make"
This was kindly thought, and to it
Felicia's spirit responded; but, looking
into Mrs. Caldwells ever unsmiling
face, she dared not speak. The lady
rustled from the room, and Felicia
left alone in the apartment that was
so lar beyond her dreams of luxury.
dropped her little hand down upon the
blotter before her and burst into tears.
She does rot mean to be unkind."
Felicia unused, after a week of her new
life had passed. Il think, in her
heart, she fancies she is a model pa
troness. But, oh! the way | am made
to feel my distance! Never a laugh or
a jest for me; yet as soon as she re-
joins any Of her guests, she is the
gayest Of the gay. She must know
Maud-told her-I am a lady born, and
entitled to rank with the best. l won
der if it ever occurred to her what
life is without anybody to talk to or
10 contlde in. | suppose a really su-
perior character would find S. lace in
this beautiful room, ard the walks and
drives, and, above all, in books. But
| never said | am a superior charac-
ter | want people, people, people.
Somebody to sympathize with me;
somebody to hear my chatter. How
many things I've noticed here in New
port that it would be such fun to talk
over. [ declare l almost hate this
lovely old blue wall paper, and the
white enamelled paper and the blue
china ornaments and that heavenly bit
of blue glimmering sea | see over the
flower box in the window. | know,
now, how a canary must feel in his
cage. l want to get out; | want to
sing, to spread my wings outside"
AS Felicia spoke, the dimples Gaze
back into her cheeks; her eyes shone
blue as the sea; she aprang out of her
chair, and, pushing away the chairs
from space on the mirror-like par
quoted floor, began to tread the meas
ure of solitary minuet.
After Mrs. CaldW ell had left her or
the morning, she was sure of several
= -CrTupted hours; and now she
must relieve her restlessness or perish,
the little maiden thought. So, hum
ming a tune from Don Giovanni, she
accompanied it with footsteps light as
thistle down. Nearing the door into
the hall, she did not perceive it was
ajar, until a tap came, and at the
aperture was revealed to her startled
view gentleman.
OH exclaimed Felicia, instantly
transformed into a statue of confu-
sion.
Il don't know what you think of me
bo!tlng In like this said Mr.. Duncan
Moo g, pe1itently. "But Mrs. Cald-
we'll is responsible. She is just about
starting for he1 round of visits. and
told me to run UP and get her address
book-that is, she told her footman
Miss Charlton would give it to him,
and as he did not hear her, l came [
hope you won't mind. I've been want
ing awfully to see you, ever since that
day, and to ask you to take walk
with me; but, somehow, | couldn't get
a chance. Why do they keep you
meWed up like this? 1t is shameful
to treat you as if you were so and
trump"
Here is the book said Felicia, put
ting into his hands a silver-clasped af-
fair OF lizard skin. You need not
apologize, | am not angry. l am only
too thankful to speak to somebody
who is not a servant"
Thanks for small favors,'' he re-
piled, rather nettled.
But | am very much ashamed that
you saw me prancing about like a
lunatlc," she went on; Il was only tax
ing a little exercise; and now, please
be kept waiting"
will you fix an hour to walk with
me?" he pursued, eagerly
mo, [ can't; so don't mention it
again"
will you talk to me some where
anywhere?'
How can II" asked Felicia, ready
to cry, because, in her heart, she
should have liked nothing better than
the companionship of this hearty,
bright-faced young fellow
Then l shall just go out of this
house tomorrow" he said, like a
spoiled child. LAS if 1 hadn't stayed
on here week, for nothing but to get
another peep at you"
Don't please" said Felicia, now
earnestly; and with an impatient ges-
tllre to deDart