Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-31
BERTHA M. CLAY.

fers rapidly.
The end to his career came at last
and Lord Wyvern awoke from Ions
dream of folly and indulgence, to FIND
himself old, feeble, and ruined. Of his
large fortune nothing remained. The
estate, which was entailed, was al
ready plunged into debt and difficult.
les. The sale of every personal eff
feet he had in the world would not
clear it; and, worse than all, no pro-
vision had been made for his beauti,
full young daughter. At his death
when Severnoke Castle passed into
the hands Of his heir, the poor girl
would be homeless and penniless.
1t was this fact that tortured him
above all others when he came to his
senses, but he was powerless to help
evil he had done. The few last
months Of MS life were embittered by
this knowledge; it shortened his days,
and Lady Florence knew nothing of
the dark future that lay before her
until she stood by her fathers death
bed. Then he confessed his folly and
his crime; but he knew not where to
turn to find friend for his unfortu-
nate child. He had not one Men
had drunk and gamDled with him, and
had taken his money in bets, but there
was not one among his old companions
to whom he could turn in his hour
Of bitter need. Lady Florence was
even more friendless; she had spent
her life at the Castle, and no one
visited there. The only relation she
had was Lady Blake; some distant
cousins of the earl were still in Eng
land-the Dudleys Of Houton-but
they refused to acknowledge the prodf-
gal peer during his life, and they re
fused to assist his daughter after his
death. The next heir, the present Earl
of Wyvern, was young, and of a mean,
parsimonious disposition. He SIAN
dered the name of the old
carl. And this he aid in the
presence of the child who had never
known anything but Indulgence and
tenderness from that same father. and
who had loved him with ali the
warmth of her young heart; so that,
when the young earl offered 70 Lady
Florence a meagre income from the es-
tate, she Indignantly refused it, and
told him She would rather starve than
be under any obligation to the man
who had slandered her father.
Something like pity seized him when
he saw the young girl bid farewell to
the stately home where she had so
long reigned as queen. But SHE passed
out of his life, and he was easily con-
soTd for the Slight pain he suffered.
Lady Blake offered the friendHess
orphan a home; but the bread OF de-
pendence is prOverbially bitter, and
that of Lady Blake was of the bit
teE'est. Years and years ago she had
Imagined herself wronged in some
business matters by the dead earl.
She had never forgiven him; and she
found no better subject Of conversa-
tlUn with which to entertain his I'M
happy daughter than the constant
abuse OF her fathers memory.
Lady Florence endured it for d time,
but She had tenderly loved THIS poor,
prodigal father, and her heart bled
at every fresh taunt and Insult heaped
upon Inn.
He is dead; they might spare him
now at least" SHE cried to herself.
Then the poor child went to Lady
Blake and begged her to refrain from
a subject that caused her SD much
pain. Her ladyship's anger at what
she YVES pleased to |cSIl suc} imperti-
nent interference, was unbounded;
she spoke angrily to poor Lady Flor
ence, haunting her Wiz her dependence
and her poverty.
Then the child, for she was little
more, found herself alone in her sor-
row: her thoughts flew to Lord Lynne,
and she longed in her grief fer a kind,
sympathiZing word frUm one who had
been a friend: but he made no sign.
She heard he was married, and she
said TO herself bitterly, tina he in
happiness and prosperity had forgot
ten her But to continue at Lady
Blake's was an impossibility
There is no help for it," said
Lady Florence. Il muet do as other
girls have done before me- I must
work for my living
She knew where her old singing
master, Siguor Bacchi resided. In her
despair she went to him and asked
his assistance.
Find me something 10 do" she
cried. II will teach, work, or beg but
remain with Lady Blake cannot"
Signor Bacchi was too astounded
for speech. When last he had seen
this young girl. she was mistress OF
Severnoke Castle, a whole retinue OF
what he called "pampered menials" a
her command. Her face was faiT
bright, and beautiful as a fresh June
rose. She was magnfhcent1y dressed
and bore herself with easy dignity
Now the fair young face was pale ant
tear-stained the heavy mourning
dress was neither elegant nor be.
coming; and to complete the wonder
she stood before him, homeless
friendless, penniless, and asking fo1
| his aid to gain a livelihood.
No wonder that he stood for som,
moments in silent wonder, too moved
to speak, and then Selling the little
white hands, that he had once seer
sparkling with jewels. bathed then
with honest. sympathizing tears.
1t seemed like a miracle, he said
that he should know of somethin!
which might suit his honored youn:
lady. BY a strange coincidence,
lady, wose daughter he taught, asket
him three days ago if he could find
travelling companion for herself an