Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-02-23
A Love Venture

AL, liz dlll CtI uO
1t was the gliding which made Yer
mount swallow such nauseous pill. "
In Venetian mirror was reflected an
oval face, pale and sad looking, with
dark, liquid eyes, a nose of a monde
script order, and a mouth rather large
than otherwise. Clarisse, Lady Yer
mount, turned from the study of her
features to take from a table loaded
with photographs the portrait of a
I handsome man.
Il am unhappy; for being which l
am an idiot" she said, addressing the
smiling face which looked at her out
of it's frame of pierced silver, "and
it is all your doing. When you asked
me to marry you I did not care a snap
of my fingers for you, and | know you
did not for me. 1t was a convenient
arrangement. You wanted my money;
[ your title. How you shuddered on
your wedding day over the too evil
titled son-in-lawi [ saw it as we
stood in the vestry of the church. You
put your hand on mine when we were
alone in the carriage, but did you for
one moment imagine that l thought
love inspired the action? Not a bit
of it. | remember the shudder too
we'll.
and then-Well, and then | told
you had got what you Wanted-the
wealth of my Chicago papa-and l
had achieved my ambition-I was my
lady For the rest, in the eyes of the
world, we were husband and wife, and
that was to be all. If you wished
anything different, you didn't show
it, and | imagined myself content. We
had been good friends. We have not
had much opportunity of being other
wise, it is true. People don't quar-
rel over a well cooked dinner, and that
it about the only time in the "a hours
we are together. Oh! Why don't
feel as coldly Indifferent to you now
as l did when l married you three
months ago?"
She threw the photograph impa-
tiently from her. 1t was nearly time
to dress for dinner, and she went
slowly up the stairs. On the landing
Lord Vermount's man stood aside to
let her pass.
His lordship dimes at home to-
night?" she asked.
yes, my lady" The servants
footsteps patted decorously down the
thickly carpeted staircase.
She paused by the door of her hus-
bands bedroom, then passed on and
entered her own. A moment and she
was back again and stood within his
chamber. His clothes lay ready for
him, and on the dressing table black
silk mask, while propped against the
looking glass were two cards of adj
mission to masked balls, one for this
very night, the other for one three
days hence. She took them up
| twisting them nervously round in hel
fingers. Strange thoughts coursed
| through her brain She put the cards
| down and ran out, coming back 6
minute later with a needleful of thick
| blue silk in her hands. She ran the
needle in and out along the tail of the
coat.
There was a sound of quick foot
steps on the stairs. With a whisk she
was out of the room and in her own
She shut the door, then stole softly tt
the one which divided her chamber
from her husbands. 1t was locked
as it always was, and the key wa!
stiff in it's socket. She pressed he
lip against the woodwork. ct is ;
venture for love-" she whispered ant
her eyes shone like stars.
What pretty bird is it that wear
a blue tail?"
The words, spoken in soft, cooini
accents, struck on Lord Vermount'
ear as he stood against pillar of tn
ballroom He turned sharply. /
white clad figure stood by him holdin
up his coattail by thread of blue silk
while behind a white domino dar
eyes danced merrily.
That would be telling" he an
swered. but I think I'll shed my ga
p1umage," twisting to get hold Of tn
thread.
"And I think I'll keep it, Sir Bird,
. drawing it out and winding it in an
out of the links Of a gold chain tina
held her long cloak together. Eve wi
. reverse the old order. The lady shal
wear her knights colors. Doth