Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-26
her mirror. the picture of perplexity-

her mirror, the picture of perplexity-
an open note in her hand.
Can you ina CINE anything more
Vexatous? she exclaimed patheti-
cally. Miss Clayton has a headache
and cannot come. That girl is spoiled
beyond all endurance by being set I'D
as the seasons beauty; and l don't be-
ieve in her headache in the least. |
nave racked my brain to think of
someone to replace her, and failed. I
should not mind, but Mrs. Marnmon.
who thinks it such a tremendous con-
descension ii she comes to you at all,
will not dine Is on any account.
She would not hesitate to call for her
carriage and go home if she found out
we were Is. There's no help for it
Miss Charlton, you must come down
and I'LL the vacant place. Dress is, |
suppose, your difficulty, but Hortense
is invaluable in suggestion for such an
emergency. In all my things she can
surely find something you can wear
Felicia wanted to rebel against the
latter part of it she did not rebel.
L have a pale blue crepon that is
very nice she said, quietly. 1t has
low bodice trimmed with a fall of
just such old Malines lace as you have
on your pearl collar, but finer. 1t
was my mothers lace" she added,
seeing Hortense stare. IF l may wear
that, Mrs. Caldwell, to oblige you I
will come down"
Certainly, certainly" cried the re-
lleved lady, breathing freer. Ter
suppose you won't wear ornaments,
Miss Charlton?"
Don't be afraid of that" exclaimed
the girl and then ran off to her room
Resentful of her enforced position.
Felicia glided downstairs just as the
guests were falling into line to go into
the dining-room. From the shadow
under the stairway she was intercepted
and captured by Duncan Moore
Il am actually, and without solicita-
ton, to take you in to dinner" he
said, offering her his hand. 81 have
been looking for you ever since Mrs.
Caldwell gave me notice of my good
luck"
He did not tell her that the notice
was accompanied by profuse apologies
at putting this service upon "yerv
good friend" In his heart he reioiced
at escaping that conceited Irene Clay
ton, who could think and speak of
nothing but her own successes in the
social world at Newport; and, as the
dinner progressed, he OBJ .erved, with
considerable satisfaction, that many
approving chances were cast by the
other men present upon his charming
little partner; for Felicia, forgetting
her woes, arose to the occasion roy
ally. Her color deepened, her eyes
grew starry, her animation was ire
sistible to look upon and to share in.
The man on her other side, a maker of
opinion in Newport, even turned his
back upon the conversation of Mrs.
Mammon to enjoy this delightfully."-
fresh and sparkling little new girl
whom Mis-. Caldwell had been so
clever as to discover.
From eXultant satisfaction, Duncan
Moore retired more than once into the
sulks when he found her attention as
freely bestowed upon her other neigh
Dor as upon himself. Then each time
Felicia returned to him, he was re-
newed in hope
1t does not require as much time for
Cupid, sly wight, to wing a shaft into
young mans bosom that will
wrankle there for all time as for me
to write this sentence.
Already Duncan Moore, whose de-
sirableness as partner did not in the
least affect Felicia, vowed 10 himself
that if he cOulG nOt win his young
woman to be his he would not look at
any other. 1t may be added that it
was in consequence of falling out
with him, whom Miss Clayton had be-
lieved to be her own possession, that
the young lady had failed to be pres
ent at the dinner which afforded him
his chance with her rival.
How very, very good of you,"
murmured Mrs. Caldwell to Mr. Moore
when the men came out from dinner.
Yes said Mrs. Mammon; and as
I understand it was all for my sake,
appreciate it the more"
Where is that charming Miss
Charlton?" asked Mr.. Trent, who had
sat upon Felicia's right at table
l.
southern thoroughbreds when they are
both pretty and merry, as she is. You
are a clever woman, Mrs. Caldwell, to
get such attractions for your feast"
Moore, who had responded to neither
lady's speech, stood glazing into the
corners of the great dusky drawing
room, with it's pink-shaded lamps, as
if in search of her.
Il think it likely my secretary has
gone to her own ROOM" said Mrs.
Caldwell to Mr. Trent. Il was just
confessing to Mrs. Mammon that l had
her in to play the quatorzieme in a
pinch"
Moore saw what had happened,
that poor little Felicia, like many an
other of her sex before her, had been
driven from the field-felt a sudden
desire to champion the oppressed be-
fore the world, to which he did not, at
first, exactly see his way to give ex-
preston without transgressing pro-
priety.
You are really very CIVIL said his