Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-06-17

I'VE shall be only too grateful to
you if it does come off, for her papa
and l have always set our hearts on
her marrying a lord. The very min
Ute that Violet tells me he has pro-
| posed, the check shall be sent to yau. u
Ronald drew back a step, his cheek
| growing pale beneath it's bronze. His
hands cIinched involuntarily, and for
a moment Violet expected to see him
dash out on the conspirators, but their
voices were already receding in the
distance, and as he looked around he
saw the anguish in her face.
"Violet!' he cried, Selling her
hands, you knew nothing of this! I'd
swear it with my dying BREATH"
She drew her hands away and turned
to escape, but he followed her.
Il have not much to Offer he said,
but all l have is at your feet"
She looked up and a light of graft
tude came into her eyes.
How good you are!" she said
Ronald looked at her in bewilder-
mcnt; the words were not what he had
expected.
You do not understand" he said
Il want you to be my wife"
Il do understand" she answered.
and [ honor you for asking me after
what has happened, but I will not
take advantage of your generosity"
1T is not generosity, it is sheer self
ishness." cried Ronald.
But Violet showed no signs of yield
ing.
Il will not leave you unless you tell
me one thing. If your heart is free
claim it, but if not I will never trou-
bic you again. Violet tell me, do you
love anyone?"
She looked at him with a face that
paled under his gaze.
Yes" she said, 81 do"
. He dropped her hand.
THAT is enough" he said, hoarsely,
and he turned and went.
1T is strange how ungrateful young
people are!' remarked Lady Mary, a
few days later, to the friends gather
cd around her tea table. 81 had ar
ranged a most suitable match for my
nephew-reaIly done everything in my
power to promote it. and yet h. actual
lv came here the other day and used
the most terrible things; said the
most dreadful things; and now he has
gone abroad, no one knows where.
I am sure I only hope that I shall
never see him again
Lady Mary's wish seemed likely to
be fulfilled. for five long years came
and went, bringing no news of Ronald;
and though five years could not take
the bloom from her cheeks nor the
gold from her hair, they could and did
add very materially to the inf1rmities
of her frame. But when at last he
did reappear, she was willing to over
look the past in spite of her resent
ments, for Ronald had found his way
into a profitable foreign partnership,
and instead of fame he brought back
money.
Zone of the best things I ever did
for you was to get you out of that
pntanglement!" she exclaimed fervent-
~ when they met.
Lady Mary came of military stock,
and she knew that one of the most
successful manoeuvres is to carry tn
war into your enemy's quarters.
Ronald shot a glance at her from
under his dark brows.
''DO you think SOP" he asked.
yes"
'Why?"
why? Because Mr. Harvey went
bankrupt a year or two ago after you
went away, and they are poor now
That upstart girl waits upon the lodg
ers. I believe"
"You don't say sol" remarked Ro-
nald. "And where do they live?"
I'm Worthing," said Lady Mary,
deceived by his GOODNESS. Lady Her.
bert was there the other day, and
she told me she saw Mrs. Harvey on
the parade and that woman actually
had the impertinence to speak to her.
Can you believe it?'
II don't know, aunt; but I am 60
ing to Worthing this afternoon and I
shall see whether she will speak to
met"
My lady took fright.
ooh, my dear boy!" she cried. edo
not do anything so foolish! You
have no idea how designing poor
people arei"
Here she ceased, for the sound of
the loudly closing door informed her
that she was alone
'But why did you send me away?''
said Ronald a few hours later. as he
and Violet stood together under the
stars and heard the waves beating
upon the beach.
Because [ thought. after what we
overheard, you felt yourself bound to
say what you did out of consideration
for me.
so your pride cane in the way, my
little Iove?"
Can it what YOU will
''Tor't YOU know that pride is one
Of the seven deadly sius?"
Eve never so regarded it
We'll, I cannot preach to you now,
my sweet, sweet heroine, because
want to ask you another question. If
you really have loved me all these
years, why did you tell me such ?
dreadful black lie?'
"A lie?"
'Oh, yes. When I asked you if you
had loved any one, you said yes. Now.
! confess at once, because I'm not going
to let you off so easily this time"
He held her away from him so that