Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-16

AS they walked to the house Made
line found herself with Lady Esler,
while Constance and Lancelot walked
together. That was natural enough.
but she could not help noticing the in
innate relations which seemed to exist
between the two. They walked rather
closely together and talked in low and
confidential terms. Lady Esler was
stiff and unbending, but not altogether
unfriendly and Madeline WIS glad that
she made no overtures of an affection
which it was impossible for her to feel
She gave the girl a little information
about the ways of the household and
then added: There are a few friends
dining with us tonight. Have you a
suitable dinner dress?"
Yes, I think so, thank YOU said
Madeline, with an inward conviction
that Lady Esler would have liked her
tc say that she had not.
Il should like to see it before YOU
dress. What may have been suitable
for a school party may not do for a
dinner"
Miss joyce kindly got it for me when
she knew l was coming here" said
Madeline, demurely. 1T is black net
over silk and it was made at Marshall
& Snelgrove's. I think it is perfectly
suitable-unless it is a very large
party"
"Oh, no, quite a simple affair." said
Lady Esler, and Madeline noticed that
she did not ask again to see the dress.
Madeline's bedroom, to which she was
conducted rather soon after tea, with
the remark that she might like to I'M
pack her boxes, was small remote and
inconvenient; no offer of a maids help
was made, moreover, but she was too
young and inexperienced to notice these
Sights and she was glad of a short
time before dinner in which to collect
her thoughts as we'll as to arrange her
goods. The days experience had been
exciting to her and delicate pink flush
tinged her cheek as she dressed for din
ner and made her beauty appear more
delicately brilliant than usual. Her
black net dress was relieved here and
there by tiny silver spangles, which
had pretty starry effect and Miss
Joyce had lent her some Indian silver
beads which looked almost like rows of
pearls on her white neck. Her golden
hair was wreathed round a silver arrow
and her lovely eyes cleaned with a soft
radiance, which was in itself sufficient
to gain her plenty of admiration. In
deed, she was so striking and so dis
tlngulshed in appearance, that, much to
Lady Esler's disgust, she eclipsed even
Constance, who, dressed in heavy white
silk, was not looking quite so we'll as
usual and was paler than her wont.
Lord Esler was a confirmed invalid
and never appeared ut dinner Made
line was surprised to see that Lancelot
Vanbrugh slipped quite naturally into
the position of host. He seemed ex-
tremely intimate and at home, she
thought, but of course he had known
the Eslers for many years. She was
delighted to renew her friendship with
AEbuy duCCS, WHO arrived WIN ner
mother and father; the other guests
were not interesting to Madeline, al
though her beauty excited quite a fiut-
ter of excitement among the men.
Madeline, dear Madeline, I am so
pleased to see you again." said Lady
Frances-little Lady Frances still
after dinner, as she put her hand with
in Madeline's arm and drew her away
from the older people to the charming
Conservatives which were the pride of
Hurst Come here and talk; had no
idea that you were to be here tonight"
Lady Esler kindly invited me for
The holidays said Madeline, "but I
keep forgetting I ought to call her Aunt
Selma now. She has told me to do so
and I see I shall fall into terrible dis
grace if forget"
''You will indeed" laughed Frances.
Aud how you have changed, Made
line"
"We have both changed a little, !
said Madeline.
"In different ways. You for the bet
ter and for the worse
Ito be Continued.)