Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-27

call upon her to confirm her state
ments.
Fortunately she was not near enough
TO hear distinctly what Constance did
say when she arrived
Dear Mrs. Gervase, was so sorry
YOU know 1 wrote to you that we could
not come to lunch. l had to go to the
stores to meet my aunt. who wanted
to order a frock for me and l knew we
should never be back in time"
But, Constance, I never had any
letter from you to say that you could
not come"
Constance fell into very graceful
attitude Of surprise. But I wrote-in-
deed I did. wonder whether the letter
never got sent off. Indeed, it was my
fault, dear, Mrs. Gervase. am so
sorry
oh, never mind, my dear, it does
not matter" said Mrs. Gervase. a fat.
comfortable-iooking woman. with a
smiling face. Only there is no lunch
for YOU
We had lunch at the stores. thank
you. And please, Mrs. Gervase. please
don't mention to Miss Joyce that YOU
did not get my letter She would he
so angry. she would say I had been
careless in sending it or something.
Would you mind not saying anything
to her?''
'Of course, | won't my dear. I would
not ger you into trouble for the world.
And who is this pretty young girl with
you? 1 have not seen her before
Her name is Madeline Despard. "
said Constance, negligently. She has
very few friends and does not go out
much, so Miss Joyce thought it would
be so nice for her to come with me
today. 1 hope you do not mind
Mind" said Mrs Gervase. warmly.
1T is pleasure to look at her. What
charming face"
'Oh, do you think 500"
Quite different from your style, Con-
stance, so you need not be jealous. /
should like to see more of her. She
has a sweet expression, but rather a
sad one, too"
Mrs. Gervase moved away to talk
with her younger guest, leaving Con-
stance meanwhile to be entertained by
her daughter. But the good lady did
moi, somehow, find Madeline very re-
sponsive. She thought her chilly, ST
lent, almost stupid. The fact was that
Madeline's mind was given to the ques-
ton Of the position in which she stood.
What ought she to do? She had never
been so miserable in her life.
well, my dears," said Miss Joyce,
in an unusually amiable manner, when
the two girls returned home about 4
o'clock, did you have pleasant lunch
con party?"
Very, thank you,' said Constance,
demurely.
And you. my dear. did you enjoy
y0urself?" said the schoolmistress,
turning severely to Madeline
Poor Madeline turned very red and
stammered out something incoherent,
which made Constance long to box her
ears.
Poor Madeline is so shy" she said,
PdIIOuIZluSly. L luIuK she uO6S not
enjoy going out"
Whereupon Madeline disgraced her
self by suddenly bursting into tears.
Constance's want of candor seemed
overwhelmingly terrible to her; but the
sobs were put down to temper and
sulkiness by Miss Joyce.
What is the meaning Of this?" she
asked sharply. els this the reward I
get for giving you a pleasure? l sup
pose you thought that your frock was
shabby? Well, you do not think that
I can always be buying new frocks for
you, do you? Answer me, do your"
NO" sobbed Madeline, in an ex-
tinguished voice
Remember, all I do for you" said
Miss Joyce. 81 feed you and educate you
entirely out of pity and because I do
not like to send you to the workhouse.
You have no claim on me-none. Re-
member that, you ungrateful girl; and
don't expect me to give you any more
pleasures, when they are simply made
an excuse for pride and temper. Go
out of the room if you cannot control
yourself"
So Madeline went and Constance, who
followed her, told her scornfully that
she was little fool for her pains.
To Be Continued