Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-25

leave until both ladies were seated
and the coachman had received his
| orders. Then he turned to look for
lnez, but she had vanished.
Mother he said to Mrs Lynne.
will you walk up and down the lawn
with me? I have something to saw
to you"
Find me shawl" said Mrs.
Lynne, with smile, 'and then I will
walk as long as you please
But when her son had fastened the
cashmere over her shoulders, and had
placed her arm in his, he walked by
her side in perfect silence for some
minutes.
L thought you wanted to talk"
said his mother, with some amuse-
ment. What is it? Have you set
tied anything about your journey?"
No." he replied; Il had forgotten
it."
"Ah, my boy" interrupted Mrs.
Lynne, Il wish you would renounce
the idea. I would give ali I have in
the world to see you settled and
happy Do not be very angry with me
II ask you one question:
ASK what you WILL" he replied.
Tell me- she said, chow it is YOU
do not ask Agatha Lynne to be your
wife? If I know anything of a young
girls heart, I am sure she is not in
different to you"
Lord Lynne attempted to speak. but
the words died away upon his lips.
would never advise you to marry
Tor money continued his mother:
and L think your uncle's will both
cruel and unjust; still, Agatha is so
sweet and gentle; out of all the world
she is the girl I should have wished
most to see your wife"
Mrs. Lynne waited for a reply. but
none came; her son was thinking that
at any price, he would keen his
cousins secret
cannot understand your indif
ference" said Mrs. Lynne. 81 used F.
think you loved Agatha. Now with
lnez the case is different,-she is very
beautiful; but there is Something 81
lnscrutable in her, I can never fancy
any one loving her."
Hush, Mother," he cried: edo NOT
speak SO. [ brought you here this
morning to tell you that Inez has
promised to be my wife"
Mrs. Lynne dropped the arm she
was holding, and looked I'D into her
sons face with establishment almost
too great for words.
"lnez!" she cried, at last; "why,
Philip, how can that be? I thought
you loved Agatha, and she cared for
you
mat was mistake, mother" he
replied, lightly; Agatha has ALWAYS
thought OF me as a dear cousin and
d true friend, but nothing more"
of course you know best. nv
dear, said Mrs. Lynne, meeklv. at
will never pretend to any judgment
again.
But you do not say one word
mother, he replied, half-impatient1v.
l thought you would be so delighted
10 know that I was going to marry
ahd settle, as you call it. at last"
80 am, Philip said Mrs. LYNNE.
DO not mistake me- I forgot nv
happiness in the greatness of nv sur
prise. But [ never saw any signs of
love for Inez."
You will welcome her as your
daughter, will you not?" he asked
That will" she replied, warmly,
You know, Philip, l have ALWAYS
stood a little in awe of her: she IS so
beautiful and stately: so reserved. and
1ich OIL
go to her at once; she shall find no
want of love or welcome in vour
mother"
Philip watched his mother as she
re-entered the house. Perhaps for
half moment something like a sigh
trembled on his lips as he Thought
now Inherently both he and Mrs.
Lynne would have felt had Agatha
been his promised bride; then he re-
preached himself for his Injustice.
Had not one refused him, while the
other had lavished a world of love I'D
on him? Even Mrs. Lynne reproached
herself, and felt that she had never
done lnez justice, when the YOUNG
girl clasped her arms round her. and
laying her beautiful head upon her
mothers shoulder promised that she
would always be to her a devoted and
most loving child
Il cannot see any reason for delay
ing your marriage, Philip" said Mrs.
Lynne to her son. eve shall soon have
May here; indeed it is spring now. I
saw crocuses and violets this morning.
You must ask Inez if she has any OBJ
lection to being married in May"
To be Continued.