Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-07

6I6SduL.
What in the world" said Maria
"can a girl in Miss Wyvern's position
want with a dress like this? 1t mus
have cost a fabulous sum-"
It had indeed; it was one of thu
last presents which the poor old ear
had made to his idolized daughter
She had never worn it, and did no
like to part with it.
Where could Miss Wyvern have
found the money to buy this? I tel
you what, Julia" continued Maria
solemnly, there is something no
right about her; I have always fell
sure Of it. I shall warn mamma in.
stantly, and she must get rid of her
Come with me now"
The two sisters went Immediately tc
Mrs. Cadwell's room.
II am sure, mamma, that all is not
as it should be-" concluded Maria
after relating the story Of the dress
and its magnifcence; neither you
nor l ever had anything like it in our
lives. Does it stand to reason, that a
young person in Miss Wyvern's po-
sition could purchase such a dress?"
1T may have been given to her,
my dear" demonstrated Mrs. Caldwell,
mildly.
Nonsense, mammal" cried Julia.
who in their senses would give a
dress like that to a companion?-it is
fitted for duchess. Depend upon it
there is something wrong about her;
and you will repent it if you do not
get rid of her."
well, if [ must, I must" sighed the
mother; "but she is really very use
full. But say nothing about it today.
we are going with the Godwins to
the Coliseum. Leave it until this
evening, and I will speak to her then"
Satisfied that they should at length
get rid of rival, the Misses Cad
we'll were restored to something like
good humor. They said very little to
Florence when she returned, while she,
who had often been puzzled by their
conduct before, wondered at the NAL
icious yet triumphant looks with
which they regarded her. Principally
at the appointed time they called at
the GodWins', and then proceeded to
the Coliseum.
The elderly ladies seated themselves
near one of the ruined arches, over
grown with grass and shrubs; the
younger ones sat with them for a
time, intending to sketch afterwards.
The conversation, as usual with the
GodWins, turned upon the aristocracy
then in Rome. Florence soon tired
of it, and wandered some little dis
lance to the entrance of a corridor,
and stood there, leaning against the
stones. Miss Caldwell smiled con-
temptuously to herself, thinking her
companion was 'attitudinizing.
"fhe best people now in Rome
said the Honorable Mrs. Goodwin, Or
acularly, ARE the Lynnes,-Lady
Lynne has created quite a furore in
London. She is wonderfully hand
some, while her sister is the very ideal
of graceful, pretty English girl
The Cadwells listened intently and
reverently. They loved many things,
but nothing SO dearly as a lord. They
did not know one; they would have
given anything to be able to speak, as
Mrs. Goodwin did, of lords and ladies'
mentioning them with a familiarity
ly introduced to lord, to speak to
one, was the highest end and aim OF
the CadWells' existence
Do the Lynnes go out much into
society?' asked Julia
Not at present" replied Mrs
Goodwin. Lady Lynne is in delicate
health; besides, you know, they are sc
very exclusive; they mixed in the
highest circles in London They are
the creme de la creme, you under
stand.''
"Oh yes, certainly" said poor Mrs
Caldwell, with the most amiable Of
smiles, and without the least notion o.
what Mrs. Goodwin meant.
Really, that is strange." said Mrs
Goodwin, with a smile Speak of-yol
remember the old proverb There are
the Lynnes. over there, near the
large arch, where that fine shrut
grows. Is she not lovely? Why, see
Mrs. Caldwell, they are crossing thi!
way.-and he looks quite smiling ant
excited. Do you know them?''
No" cried the three ladies. will
something like a pang at the denial.
They are coming to u.s." cried Mrs
Goodwin, in great excitement. 'Wha
can it mean?"
Words are feeble to depict the sur
prise. the mingled exultation an
modification of the assembled party
when they saw Lord Lynne, with
beaming face and excited manner
hasten to the companion, and clas
/ her hand in his own, saying, as h
did so, Lady Florence, I cannot ex
press my delight at seeing you. Lad
Lynne and myself have searche
/ Rome 20 find you.
Lady Florence!" cried the Misse
Caldwell and Mrs. Goodwin in on
| breath and in one key, while Mrs. Cad
we'll sat too dismayed to speak.
Then a handsome lady, with an al
Of dignity. stepped forward, and CLASP
ing the young girl in her arms. kisse
her warmly, uttering, in swee
musical voice, the kindest of gree
ings.
After that younger lady, with
sweet, fair face and golden hair, whol
Lord Lynne introduced as his siste
Miss Lynne, welcomed her just {
kindly, while the lookers-on wei
petrified with amazement. The Lynne
the best and most exclusive Peep
in Rome-were positively in raptur.
at meeting with their compartment
calling her Lady Florence, too. VIII;
could it mean? Like a flash of ligh