Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-03

who lived in such magnificence IN
England. After all it was no pennlless
girl whom Count Rinaldo had married;
and in the first bitterness Of her heart
she wished that he could know that
the girl of whom he had tired SO soon
would have been of as much value to
him as the heiress who had smiled
upon him.
If he had been living, how she would
have triumphed over him-how she
would have spurned him, and wrung
his heart by her contempt; dead, she
could despise him the more from
the knowledge of what she was.
Madame Monteleone died before the
messenger from England arrived
Inez grieved for the loss of the stern
guardian who had Deen her only real
friend, but her mind was too much
agitated now for any grief to absorb
her. When she thought of those I'M
known relations far away in England,
she felt something like satisfaction
that Rinaldo was dead, and that her
disgraceful secret could never be
known. What would that stately Eng
lish father say if he knew that his
eldest child had forgotten herself so
far? What would he think of her if
he knew of those secret meetings,
that hurried, secret marriage? Above
all, what would he say if he knew
how easily she had been wooed and
won-to what kind of man she had en-
trusted her love and her fair name?
Death seemed preferable she would
have suffered any torture, endured
any anguish rather than let her secret
be known.
Then the English messenger came,
bringing with him a large sum of
money, and for the first time in her
life Inez had the pleasure of being able
to choose rich and costly dresses that
suited her taste.
Mr. Brownson had long been a kind
of confidential steward to Lord
Lynne, and he told the young girl that
her father wished her to spare no ex-
pense, but to provide herself with
everything suitable to her position.
The old servants were each allowed a
small annuity, and the gloomy old
castle of Serranto, once the stately
home of the Monteleones, was allowed
to fall into ruins.
x
A new life began for the beautiful
Andalusian. Without sorrow or re-
greet, she bade farewell to the gloomy
| home where her childhood and girl
| h,1r
| the night when she found the letter
had she visited the orange grove; now
she turned her eyes from it, as they
drove past on the road to Seville.
She would have given the whole
world to live the past year over again,
to undo the deed of which she could
not think without bitter sorrow and
shame. The secret she could never
forget lay like a heavy weight upon
her; it destroyed her youth and her
happiness, and she had to bear it with
her across the seas, to meet her I'M
| known relations with it's burden press
ing upon her. There were times
when she would have given her life it
self never to have seen Rinaldo Mon
talti.
The novelty of the journey amused
her. Mr.. Brownson stood in grea
awe of the regal-looking girl of whom
he had charge. He was most devoted
to her comforts, but he did not in
trude much upon her. He had eX
pected a torrent of questions about he
home, but she never asked one, AM
he did not quite understand her dlgnl
fed silence but he was much relieve'
to find that she spoke English, al
though her pronunciation and accen
were not quite perfect.
AS they drew near Lynnewolde, an
. every moment brought her nearer t
: the father and sister whom she ha
= never seen. the young girls emotlo
4 showed itself in her pale, quiet face
d How different all would have bee
: had no secret weighed upon her. Sh
= determined then, and she adhered
her resolution, never to mention thu
n past foreign life of hers,-never
q speak of Madame Monteleone, Sc
Il ranto, or anything connected with III
IS Spanish home.
/ She was lost in amazement at Il
d beautiful scenery in England,-tl
W tall graceful trees, the green fields,
le refreshing to one accustomed only
lie the bare Spanish landscapes. But s.
er was not prepared for the magnifice
err home awaiting her. Accustomed
IS the dreary half-ruined solitude
Serranto, Lynnewolde was like fair
1g land to her. When she first saw t
in stately mansion standing in the mic
ed of 4 noble, undulating park, a Ike
n sense of the wrong that had be
I'M done her awoke in her heart w
n for so many years had she been {
nv prived of the luxuries of such hon
as Why had she been deserted, neglect
,ut left to fall an easy prey to the desls
est ing Italian, whose love had bligh'
PES her life?
led Those who watched the young 6
asst descend from the carriage, and vi
zen dered at her beautiful proud ia
md knew little of the thoughts and fe
= ings surging in that rebellious hea
ust Inez wondered still more at
you number of servants standing in t
MAGNIFICENT hall to welcome her to
girl fathers house, but no sign of $
.ish prise escaped her. She walked thro
of the long files of domestics with
lar stately step, and half smile Of
ter: knowledgment upon her face. S.
was one-she never knew who it W;
told her that Lord Lynne was in
in" library. and conducted her there.
my A mist swan before her eyes.