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

bright sun did not seem farther from
him that this beautiful girl. She was
undoubtedly the belle Of the ball; and
those who saw her that evening never
forgot her. When the guests had al
departed, she went with Mrs. Lynne
into her boudoir. 1t was a charming
little ROOM but one that was seldom
used On this evening Mrs. Lynne
had ordered fire and fights there; she
liked when a ball or party was ended,
to talk it over with her son.
Let us rest a few minutes" she
said, drawing an easy-chair to the
fire for Inez 81 always require half
an hours quiet talk to make me for
get the glitter of lights and the
sound of music. Have you enjoyed
the ball, Inez?"
yes" she replied
'Inez always enjoys where she
relgns,' interrupted Lord Lynne, with
a merry laugh. What are you going
to do with BERTHE, Inez?" he con-
tinued. 81 never saw a more severe
case in my life. Your beaux yeux have
done mischief there"
II am not accountable for it." she
replied, cOldly.
How cold you are!" he rejoined.
No amount of homage moves you.
Have you no heart, Inez?"
She raised her eyes to his face. Was
he blind, that he could not read what
they told? Was he blind, that he did
~ see how the beautiful face, cold
and naughty to others, softened and
frightened for him?
When Mrs. Lynne went away, they
were speaking of the coming spring.
Il do not say anything to my
mother" said Lord Lynne to Inez
but | have serious thoughts of go
ing abroad in the spring"
Abroad" she said; "for how long,"
Il do not know he replied; ''for
years, in all probability, Inez.
want something to fill up my life"
There was a profound silence for
some minutes, and when Inez spoke
again, Lord Lynne did not know her
voice.
1T is late" she said.
Thinking she wished to be alone, he
rose and held out his hand to say
goodnight. He saw her face per-
fectly white, with a startled look in
her large, dark eyes.
you are tired Inez he said, gently.
Good night! pleasant dreams!"
He did not notice that the little
jeweled hand he touched was cold as
death: he did not see the culver of
the white lips; he took the wax taper
placed ready for him, and went
away.
Inez sat still and motionless for
some minutes. Then she rose, in
tending to go to her room, but her
strength failed her She threw up
her arms, and fell upon the ground
upon her face.
"He is going.' she cried; "and I
love him sol love him SOL"
She did not hear Lord Lynne re-
turning. she did not hear him open the
door, she did not know that he saw
her passion of grief and heard her
wild words.
She loved him-that proud, beauti-
full, imperious girl. He was literally
astounded. She loved him, and he
had never guessed it.
How much she must love him, Why
was she lying there? What did
those long, bitter sobs mean? Did she
much as that?
He had returned for his watch,
which he had left upon the table, and
he thought she had quilted the
boudoir. Slowly and gently he with
drew, and closed the door. He knew
enough of her to understand that she
would rather have died than he should
have seen her He never stopped to
think.
she loves me-" he said, "and
loves me So
He returned, but this time he took
care to make noise enough over his
entrance. When he stood again in
the room, Inez was leaning over the
fire, her face turned from him.
Il left my watch here, said Lord
Lynne, stammering in a manner very
unlike his own.
Did you?" she said, in a cold,
steady voice. You remember what
Mrs. Lynne tells you sometimes about
your head.
Instead of taking up his watch, he
walked round to her
''Inez," he said, gently, forgive me
for speaking to you here. and so late
i will not detain you long"
You must not" she replied. Il
ought to have gone half an hour ago;
but the fire and my own thoughts
tempted me-"
My thoughts tempt me-" he said.
'Inez, listen for one moment-I am
not worthy of you,-you are SO
beautiful, so bright, so gifted. I am
not worthy of you,-but will you lei
me love you? Will you be my wife,
To the day of his death Lord Lynne
never forgot the look of startled hap
piness upon that lovely face
do you love me?" she whispered.
Could he help it. that love-lit face
turned up to his, those wondrous eyes
looking into his own, her hair touch.
ing his cheek?
I love you. my darling he said
will you be my wife?'
lie never forgot how for the mex
few minutes she stood as one rapt il
silence ecstacy, then she turned ava!
from him.
Tomorrow" she said,-"wait unit
tomorrow; We will talk about i
them
But you will say one word. Inez :?