Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-18
CHAPTER x.

The autumn months came and went,
and still Agatha remained with the
Lieghs at Hastings. Evelyn's recovery
seemed at times doubtful. They had
decided to remain there for the winter,
and to go abroad in the spring. Lord
Lynne had stayed for three weeks at
LynneWolde before he went to Scot
land for his shooting. During those
three weeks he was thrown constantly
into the society of Inez. He would
have had a heart harder than marble
to have resisted her beauty and her
grace; she dressed so well; her toilette
was recherche, and displayed such
exquisite taste. During the long
autumn evenings she sang to him,
until his heart thrilled with the
rich passionate melody of her voice.
All her wit, her genius, her talent,
were called into requisition in order
to amuse him. The consequence
was, that during the whole time of
his visit to Lynnewolde not one mo-
ment appeared heavy or dull. She
had always something to engross or
amuse him.
Il had no idea, Inez,' he said to her
one day, that you could be so anus
ing. I used to think you proud and
reserved"
mo one ever cares for me-" she re-
piled, with a very frank smile. when
Agatha is near, small stars are
eclipsed by the SUM-
She looked so candid and smiled so
frankly, that her words quite misled
Philip, md he inwardly reproached
himself that he had been unjust to
her,-that he, as we'll as every one
else, had neglected her for Agatha
Il have always felt myself half an
interloper," she continued, sadly, al
though | am Lord Lynne's eldest child.
Was ever fate so strange or sad as
mine?"
1t was the first time she had
spoken Of herself; and the sad, must
cal voice, with it's half-foreign accent,
touched all the fountains of tenderness
and chivalry in Lord Lynne's heart.
Have we seemed cold or unkind to
you Iuez?" he asked gently.
AT times" she replied, II have felt
| quite alone
He looked at the beautiful face and
! large liquid eyes moist with tears.
Could this woman, with her rare
southern beauty, have felt sad and
lonely? Had he, wrapped up in his
vain love for another, forgotten and
neglected her? Never had Lore
Lynne felt so much inclined to lor
his cousin; never before had she
nearly touched his heart She saw
the impression her words produced
She was too wise to weaken them by
repetition.
Il am firing YOU she said. 81 for
get my little troubles interest no hui
man being beside myself You said
yesterday, Lord Lynne, that you
would like to hear that Venetian bar
carolle. Shall l sing it to you?"
Before Philip had time to reply
Inez was seated at the piano, hel
rich voice filling the room with the
melody of the old Venetian song
When that was finished she begar
another,-a love song this time, with
every note sigh, low, soft, and tax
ing with it the fire of her genius. anC
the love Of her heart. She sang OF
until Philip rose from his seat and be
gan to pace the room. He coul(
not withstand the charm of thi
syren; she seemed to sing his hear
away from him; his whole bein:
thrilled with the sweet fancies tina
came to him with the music.
He is half won,' she murmured t,
| herself as she watched the change
| that passed over his face in tn
cleaning; "a little more patience,
5 little more skill, and he will be mine
: This skill she displayed still NOR
5 adroitly by seeming to avoid him dur
/ ing the last two days of his stay. H
4 had professed himself charmed wit