Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-20
fered in these years of separation, his
father had suffered more.
CHAPTER XIV.
A SCHOOLGIRLS Lover


cat like you," said Constance Esler,
snappishly
Madeline Despard, the girl whom she
addressed in this uncivil manner,
flushed holly, but replied, with perfect
temper and courtesy:
Miss Joyce thought that we should
be quite safe together; but she did not
like one to go alone
THAT is all very we'll; but if she had
allowed Ethel Price to come with me.
[ should not have minded; but my
plans are quite upset now
The two girls were walking along a
quiet road, bordered with trees and
gardens-the road that led from West
bourne house to the buster precincts of
Chaplain. Constance and her friend
Miss Price had special permission to
go once week to the house of a Mrs.
Gervase, who lived at a very short
distance from the school Mrs. Gervase
had been an old friend of Constance's
mother and was kind in asking her to
come to luncheon or to tea now and
then and to bring a friend with her.
stance two or three times; but she had
not found the society congenial and
the result was that Constance usually
took Ethel Price, pretty, silly girl
whom Miss Esler chose to patronize.
On the present occasion, Miss Joyce
had chosen-perhaps out of a little
malice-to request Constance to take
Madeline with her.
Mrs. Gervase said to me the other
day that I was to send any one l liked
my dear, and as Ethel has a cold to-
day I would rather that you took your
young connection, Madeline espard."
MY aunt does not think that she is
a connection, Miss joyce
IT have nothing to do with that"
said Miss Joyce, majestically. II wish
you to take Miss Despard''
And Constance yielded with a very
bad grace. Madeline would have given
a great deal to escape the ordeal of
luncheon with strange people, especial
1y as she knew Constance was ashamed
of her and of her shabby frock; but
there was no way of evading Miss
Joyce's commands. She prepared there
fore for the expedition and was not at
all surprised when Constance addressed
sighting and disdainful speeches to
her. It did occur to her that Constance
was more wrathful than was necessary
Miss Esler was looking quite superb
that morning. She had donned one
of her favorite dresses-a golden
brown, tight-ftting cloth, trimmed
with beaver and a picturesque hat to
match, the whole costume relieved and
smartened by beautifully chased gold
buttons and clasps. 1t was rather an
elaborate dress for a schoolgirls: but
then she was to leave school at mid
summer and Lady Esler was fastidious
about her niece's dress The dainty
perfection of Constance's attire con-
trasted oddly with Madeline's rough
and ready blue serge, which was I'M
deniably rather shabby; and Constance
was the kind Of girl who saw nothing
but the shabbiness of the costume and
never once remarked the glittering gold
of Madeline's hair or the loneliness of
her deep, blue eyes. But if an artist
had met the two he might perhaps
have only coldly commended Con-
stances features and kept his enthusi-
asm for Madeline's sweeter, softer type
of features.
How can your plans be upset by
my coming with your said Madeline,
after moments pause
What business of yours is it to
ask" responded Constance However.
I shall have to tell you something, I
suppose, or you will make yourself dis
agreeable. I am not going to Mrs
Gervase's until later in the afternoon;
| am going to do some shopping in
Chaplain first"
But does Miss Joyce know
"Of course, she knows. I asked her
before we came out"
oh" said Madeline, a little doubt
fully. But when shall we have din
ner, then, if we don't go to Mrs. Ger
vase's?''
What greedy thing you are always
to be thinking about your food
Il am not, Constance; but I thought
Miss Joyce expected us to lunch at Miss
Gervase's."
CAS- it happens" said Constance, with
effrontery, Mrs. Gervase does not
lunch until 2 o'clock today and it is
now 1915. We have plenty of time
in which to go down to Chaplain and
back again. 1 wish I had Ethel with
me; she would not have made such a
fuss"
Madeline did not think that she had
made a fuss; but she held her peace,
although with a vague sense of I'M
.easiness. The two girls walked on to-
gether to the end of the road and Ma
define noticed that Constance's bright
eyes were constantly darling from side
to side, as if in search of something
or some person that she desired TO
See AS they turned into the main road
Constance's bright face frightened and
a little smile rose to her lips. A han
some was waiting at the curbstone and
she at once signaled the driver.
Are we going to driver" asked
Madeline.
Yes, we are. The hanson will get
us there and back all the faster don
you see, you little stupid?"
Madeline hesitated.
You are sure that Miss Joyce would
like us to go. Constance?"
IN take all the responsibility, said
Constance. Jump in and don't be such
81 Il