Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-27
Continued.

Il know l deserve a scolding," said
Claude; but l have not been in the
humor for gayeties; it is not that
am doing too much-I can't plead
that as an excuse, but"
But you are getting blase at four
and-tWenty, is that it?''
Claude did not answer for a moment.
He moved restlessly, celebrating
whether he should tell all to Lady
Worthington or not, then looking up
suddenly and turning his eager eyes
fully on her, he said, abruptly, THE
fact is, Lady Worthington, that visit
to you at Christmas quite unhinged
met was a revelation to me, and
now l am wild to get to Rilchester
once more. You know what | mean?'
Il think / do, said Lady Worthing-
ton, kindly, land | am very glad,
Claude"
You think, then, there is really
some hope for me?"
Il do not see why there should not
be-" said Lady Worthington; but
you will not do anything in a hurry.
If you will let me give you a piece of
advice, | should say write to her
brother before you breathe a word to
her about it, for | know the French
are very particular about such things"
Il thought | could speak to the
dean; but the worst of it is, ! dom
think it will be any use, she would
only be startled and repulsed. l must
see her again. If only l had the faint
Oh - Co,
Rilchester | would start tomorrow,
but there is none; and she will for
get me, or some one else will"
Come" said Lady Worthington,
smiling, Il don't think you need make
yourself miserable about that.
suppose if | were prudent | should
tell you to wait till next Christmas,
and then to come down to Worthing-
ton and see if you were in the same
mind"
Il have waited all these months
already" said Claude, pleadingly;
land you don't know what it is to
think of her in that wretched place,
among people who don't care for
her"
"She is fast making them care for
her." said Lady Worthington; "but
for all that, / can understand that it
is hard for you. Suppose 1 am impru
dent, and ask you to go down to Ril
chester at once, and paint me q very
beautiful picture in the cathedral.
think | should like it to be in the
south aisle"
You are too good" said Claude,
earnestly; ''but | ought not to have
everything made easy for me-"
mo, seriously, | should like the
picture; [ commission you now, Mr..
Magnay. if it is not trespassing too
much on your valuable time. Shall |
stipulate how many feet of canvas
you are to cover, like that interesting
manufacturer we heard of the other
day, who ordered pictures by the
yard?"
Claude laughed and reiterated his
thanks, and Lady Worthington spoke
more seriously.
81 do wish you all possible success" "
she said. earnestly. Il shall wait
very anxiously to hear of the result,
and you will come and see me when
you return"
Claude promised to do so, and just
at that moment some other visitors ar
rived, and he hastily took leave.
To have an excuse for a fortnight's
visit to Rilchester seemed to him the
greatest bliss. He longed to start
that very moment, but a perverse en-
gagement on the next afternoon pre-
vented this, and he could not possibly
reach Rilchester before the last train;
but he should see her in two days
time and with this he might we'll be
content.