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

Aldo0CS I'll WOOL, IlIC Sl11li4llSo 1dhC, III
picturesque gardens; they bathed a
in their sweet soft light. But Their
was one spot where they fell without
healing or balm in their half-mOurn
full light.
Never did good and evil" fight 70
a human heart as they struggled tina
night for the heart Of Inez Lynne. Al
the fire, the passion, the recklessnes
of that southern nature were aroused
She had sworn that she would sue
coed; that by some means the low
she Ionged for should be hers; ant
she was not Of those who esteem al
oath as Eight burden" to be thrown
off at will
She sat now by the window of he
room; her dark eyes resting upon the
woods Of Lynnewolde; her wealth o.
black hair falling round her should
ers. She was almost terribly beauti.
full to behold as that war of pas.
sions" ragged within her.
1t was war; for there were times
when softer look came to the eXquis-
tie face, and softer tears fell down the
pale cheeks. Then a better and noblel
impulse whispered to her to be pa
tient, to submit, to leave her sister
trample upon the wild love that
wrought havoc" within. But the
better impulse passed, and the proud
indomitable spirit woke up fierce1
and stronger for it's repuIse.
''NO mercy has ever been shown to
met" she murmured. years and years
ago, if | had had the love that ought
to have been mine,-if my father had
treated me as he did his other child
my life would have been different
Shall | lose the only love I ever
asked for the only blessing life has to
give me? [ cannot"
So she watched and repeated wild
words to herself, until the first dawn
of the morning came into the sky A
thought had struck her,-in the first
few minutes that it came to her, she
seemed to shrink from it. for a Grim
son flush covered her face, and her
eyes fell as though with a sense of
olithLlN' l. CI II ItlllIC CtS5ciiIl, Gnu dSdIll
she played with it. She let herself
think of all that might be, and then
she yielded, and then said it should
be so.
She sat and watched the dawn of
the golden morning. There was no
more battle-it had been lost; no
more struggIe,-evil had prevailed.
For veal or for woe she had shaped
her fate. She had sworn she would
win, let the cost be what it might.
Nature woke up from it's rest; the
birds began their morning hymn; the
dew-laden flowers opened their eyes,
and sent abroad their thousand per
fumes; bright sunbeams warmed and
gladdenCd the earth; but something
died that night in the heart of Inez
Lynne, and never woke again until it
awoke to remorse and despair
When the fright morning was
further advanced, she rose and pro
ceeded to make a careful toilette. She
washed away the traces of her tears,
she smoOthed the long tresses, -she
dressed herself in one of her prettiest
morning robes. She was even satisfied
with her own appearance when she
gazed in the mirror; she looked all
that was fresh, and fair, and charm
ing: yet, from the face that looked in
the mirror, something had died away
that was not to appear again until
Slowly and cautiously she left her
room, and entered her sisters. She
cast one rapid glance around,-aiI
was as she wished. Agatha lay,
sleeping soundly, and the white hyan-
cinth was in a glass on the table She
bent over her fair young sister, who
slept sleep as would never again
visit Inez Lynne, her sweet face wear
ing look of profound happiness, a
smile parting the rosy lips.
Inez felt no remorse for what she
was about to dO,-no sorrow for the
blow her hand was about to inflict
''She cannot feel" she murmured tc
herself, land I can"
Then slowly and cautiously she took
the flower from the glass, and quit
ted the room.
1T is all a chance" she said, "but
that chance is my last and only one
If he is down it can be done, and
am safe; if not, that hope goes.
will not think or fear detection after
wards. I will so manage that i
shall be impossible. Let me see i
fortune favors me"
She wrapped gently at the librar.
door; Philips voice clear and joyous
bade her enter. He looked up with {
smile when he saw her so fresh, ant
fair, and dainty, but the smile die
away when his eyes fell upon tn,
flower she bore in her hand.
II am afraid 1 disturb you" she be
gan; 81 know you spend half you
mornings here; but l have somethin:
very particular to say to you. You ar
going to London today are yo'
not?"-''yes," he replied, slowly
4 wanted to see you before you set
tied anything about your journey,
she said. Can you guess why 1 an
here?"
q almost begin to fear" was hi
reply, and she saw his face grow pale
still there was no voice in her hear
that cried to her to save or to spar
him.
Il have brought back your flower,
she said, gently and distinctly. "Yo
remember what you asked with it.
He bowed without speaking, an
she went on.
1T cannot be. Agatha has no wis
to pain you, but it cannot be-
He took the white hyacinth frol
her hand.
Does she care for some one else +?