Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-24
Continued.

GU can 40 nOJnlnS, SAID Lduy
Lynne, but gradually shun him. Do
not talk to him more than you can
help. Do not smile and look inter
ested when he speaks; avoid taking his
arm as much as you can; but mind,
this must be done gradually; it would
be dangerous to arouse suddenly the
anger or jealousy of such a man."
Il never want to see him again"
said Agatha, half impatiently. What
have | to do with him, or he with me,
that should fear him."
What indeed?" sighed Lady Lynne
o herself; then she turned the sub
iect to that of her sisters dress. She
felt an indescribable relief. After all,
if Rfnaldo saw that Agatha did not
like him, and would never love him,
he could not blame her FOR that. He
would simply turn his attention to
some one else.
One part of her task was accom-
plished. Lady Lynne went to look
for her husband. He was il the Ii
brary, wearing what was for him
grave if not sorrOwful expression, and
she passed her arm caressingly round
his neck.
'What is the matter, Philip" she
said, gently. why are you looking SO
sad?"
II am vexed with myself, Inez," he
replied, kissing the beautiful face, al
ways so bright and loving for him.
Life has been so brilliant and pleas
FD, +nlV hot I
neglectful where | ought to have been
kind"
Tell me about it." she said.
THAT l will" he replied. There is
nothing like owning ones faults cor
daily. Some years ago l knew the
Earl of Wyvern. | met him abroad,
and he took a great fancy to me.
went to visit him at Severnoke Castle.
You remember you sent telegram to
me there?"
81 remember" she replied, gently.
HE had only one child" con-
tinued Lord Lynne,-"a beautiful girl
of seventeen; and he was passionately
fond of her. He confided all his affairs
to me. His one great grief was, that
at his death this idolised child would
be left penniless. | said nothing to
him, but in my own mind | resolved
that my mother should befriend Lady
Florence. | never heard of the earPs
death which took place last year; and
/ am told that his idOlised daughter is
out in the world, gaining her liveli-
hood as she best can"
But had she no relations who could
have helped herr" asked Inez.
None, it appears" replied her hus-
band. "She had spent all her life at
Severnoke Castle and the poor, ruined
prodigal earl had few friends. The
man who succeeded nina distant rel
ative, whom he detested-was SO en-
ragged at the condition in which he
found the estates, that even in the
presence of Lady Florence he spoke
most unl1indly Of her father. This so
aroused her pride, that when he re-
luctantly offered her a small annuity
from the estates, she proudly refused
it."
THE only relative she had was a
distant cousin,-Lady Blake,-whO Of
fered her a home. Not knowing what
else to do, she accepted the offer; but
Lady Blake never ceased harping up
on her fathers faults; and, in sheer
disgust the poor girl looked out for
and found a situation as travelling
companion, and left England some
months ago
who told you all this'" asked his
wife.
''The lawyer who managed the poor
old earls affairs; and, by the way"
continued Lord Lynne, II shall note
the man. He had tears in his eyes
when he spoke of Lady Florence; and
| should imagine such a thing as a
lawyers tears to be a wonderful
rarity. She has dropped her title
and has gone abroad with some mer-
chants family, 1 think he said"
Poor grill" said Lady Lynne. at
is sad story, Philip"
"A story that |, who called myself
her fathers friend, ought to be
ashamed of telling" he said 81 can
not pardon myself. Poor, friendless
child.-she would think l had deserted
her in her hour of bitter need I
shall never rest until we have some
trace of her; and then Inez, my dear
wife, you must atone to her for my
neglect"
THAT I will" replied Lady Lynne,
cordially. Il will help you by every
means in my power, Philip. And now,
dear, if you have few minutes leis-
ure, l want to speak to you"
oil ord
Lynne
For half a minute his wife laid hel
face upon his shoulder, while a look
of unutterable WEAKNESS stole over
her. How she loathed and hated this
necessity for manoevring!
You must not think me a match
maker, Philip" she said; land yot
must please promise to keep my Sc
cret faithfully if tell you I have OBJ
served something"
81 will be all discretion and wisdom,
he replied, gaily.
Il link" she continued,-"nay,
am sure, that the Marquis of Horting
ton admires Agatha very much. 1
would be an excellent match for her."
L should think it would" inter
rupted Lord Lynne. He is one of tn
best young fellows I know, and h
will be immensely rich. Do you reall
think there is anything in it, Inez?"
Il am sure that if he saw more c
her he would soon propose to her." sh
replied; that is what I wanted t
speak to you about, Philip. Yo
must invite him here We always how