Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-27

the beautiful Andalusian had a most
ardent wroshipper in BERTHE Bohun.
He would have suffered any hardship
have borne any peril, have risked any
| and everything to win one look from
those bright eyes, one smile from
| those perfect lips; but neither look
nor smile came to him. IneZ received
his homage, as she did the homage of
all other men, as something that was
simply her due. She would nave
laughed with scorn if any one had
told her that the handsome young fell
low loved her. She talked to him
about his profession at times until
the boys heart glowed, anu he wished
-ah, what vain wishes he had.-that
she were captive, and he the knight
| who rescued her; that she were a
queen and he might fight and die for
her.
But in his widest dream no thought,
no hope, ever came to BERTHE Bohun OF
winning this magnificent woman and
making her his wife Sometimes,
after she had been unusually kind to
him, he would resolve that before
''he rode away to war; he would tell
her how mad and foolish he had been,
and ask her to bid him God Speed"
But the marching order was very long
in coming, and poor BERTHE dreamed
the summer away at the syren's feet
Evelyn Leigh was a pretty lively
r1 Of min
world given to flirting, and some
what inclined, Allan feared, to be
fast-still, the pretty face and gay
lively manner had many admirers.
Isabel Dacre was a tall, stately
brunette, very good-humored, and
given to great admiration of every
thing at Lynnewolde, from the young
lord to his beautiful cousin. She had
not much intellect; but then, as Allan
Leigh said, she had figure, and that
was very requisite in getting up good
tableau.
The invitations to Lynnewolde were
issued for the eleventh of August, and
very little else save this coming fete
was spoken of, either in the Hall or
out of it. Every one anticipated a
dancing-party; the tableaux were to
be surprise. Yet many wondered
why they were requested to be at the
Hall at nine punctually.
Under the able superintendent of
Allan Leigh the drawing-rooms were
most effectively arranged for the
tableauX; the inner and smaller one
was divided from the large room by a
long sweeping curtain of rich crimson
silk; kind of stage had been erected,
and in the large room the chairs for
the guests were arranged in a circle.
II hope it will all go off WE'LL" said
Agatha to Lord Lynne, on the morn
ing of the eventful eleventh.
Never fidget, little COUSIN" he re-
piled, with a smile. Even supposing
there should be neither wit nor sense.
wherever there are flowers, lights, and
music, people amuse themselves, and
famously too"
Soon after eight the roll of car
riages began and burden after burden
was deposited at the Hall door. The
wing-room soon filled. There was
much curiosity as to the curtain and
what it screened. The ladies besieged
Lord Lynne, anxious to know what
charming surprise he had prepared
for them; but he refused to answer
any questions, telling them that,
when the clock struck nine, they
would have the most complete reply
When the silver chimes of the lit
tie clock rang. out that mystic hour
the lights in the room were sub
dued; there was a soft sound of
music, and the curtain was drawn up
on one of the prettiest tableaux ever
arranged. 1t was copied from an old
Spanish picture, called The Surprise"
One read the story at a glance. The
center figure, upon which the light
fell, was that Of beautiful Spanish
girl, represented by Inez Lynne
the black mantilla, fastened coquet-
tishly at the back of the head, fell
upon the graceful shoulders and the
half-quaint, half-artistic dress. One
deep crimson rose gloWed in the
depths Of her rich hair, and she held
a magnificent fan in her white
jewelled hands. Standing by her side,
his handsome face peeping over her
shoulder was Spanish cavalier,
wearing the picturesque cloak and
plumed hat. 1t was stolen inter-
view, and at one window of the apart
ment stood sister or friend, evident
ly watching that they should not be
surprised. The expression on the face
of this kindly guard Evelyn Leigh
was excellent in it's mingled archness
and anxiety. But alas, at the other
and smaller window-forgotten both
by the lovers and their friend-shone
the angry face of the old father. who
had unexpectedly appeared on the
scene.
(To be Continued)