Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-11

want, which was Of so little impor-
lance to him that he had left without
even message for her?
She had never been a vain girl; il
was not in her to think much of he1
own powers and gifts; she had moi
felt quite sure that Lord Lynne loved
her. In her sweet humility, it did
not seen natural d b 5r that he should
prefer G-a Ike herself to her beautiful
sister. He was always kind and
tender; but then he had always been
so; during her fathers lifetime he had
petted and loved her. What could he
have meant? She wished Evelyn
Leigh had waited three minutes longer
before she had Interrupted them
you know what have brought you
here to say he had said to her.
Nay, that she did not. Her heart
and warmed and thrilled when he
uttered the words-a sweet, vague
hope had come to ner-but she was
not sure. Had be brought her there
to tell her that he loved her? It
seemed like it, At the time she had
|
why had he gone away that morning
without waiting for her to give him
| either the flower or any answer at
i all? 1t was simply incomprehensible.
Only one thing was plain-he did not
| love her, and he had not meant that.
All day Inez watched her sisters
face; it was paler, and had lost some
inc Of i+cs hpic OH
there seemed to be wondering ques-
ton always in her eyes.
when is Lord Lynne coming
back? she heard Agatha asking Mrs.
Lynne.
Il hardly know" replied his
mother. HE left rather suddenly; he
did not say much to me- He spoke of
tember''
Perhaps he will not come back I'M
til after then" said Agatha, gently.
She would have given much to under
stand his strange behavior.
Il hate lies" said Inez Lynne to
herself, they blister and burn my
lIps,-they make me hate and scorn
myself,-but I must imply, even if l
do not tell, one more"
She sought her sisters room again
that evening. All day she had watched
the pain and wonder in that gentle
face. She saw that in some measure
her simple, guileless sister must be
satisfied. If she were allowed to go on
wondering what Lord Lynne had
meant, she would probably ask him
the first time they met
Il must manage two things" she
said to herself. Il must satisfy her,
and l must prevent them from meet
ing again until I am his betrothed
wife,
The inflexible will, the iron resolu-
ton, the dauntless spirit never failed.
She had good qualities; used for a
good purpose, they might have made
Irez Lynne remarkable even in a re-
markable age; as it was, they helped
to lose her. She hated herself with a
bitter hatred for the part she had
played, and for the part she had yet
to play.
Send away your maid, Agatha" she
said, ''and let us have a chat l am
not in the least tired
Agatha wondered again at her sis
ter's kindness, and felt a glow of
happiness, believing that she was be-
ginning to love her at last.
Let us sit by the window" said
Inez; Il am never tired of watching
the moonlight on those trees"
Agatha drew her chair to the win
betrayer and the betrayed. There was
a strange look on the beautiful South
ern face-something of shame and of
pain. Her breath seemed to come in
thick, hot gasps, when Agatha laid
her hand caressingly upon her Shout
der, and said, ct is delightful to have
a sister; after all, Inez no one in the
world can be quite like ones own
sister,
But am not your own sister,,
said Inez.
do not say So" replied Agatha,
with sound Of reproach in her gentle
voice. 81 never remember that we had
not one mother"
81 remember it, said Inez, and her
face grew dark with the words. They
seemed to nerve her and give back
the resolution that the sight of that
fair young head resting upon her
shoulder had half shaken.
Agatha" she said suddenly, zone
year of the time my father named has
EXPIRED
Yes" replied her sister, and the
words seemed very much like a long
drawn sigh.
She felt her sisters breath like a
hot, scorching fame upon her cheek.
She looked up and saw the beautiful
face all glowing.
To be Continued.