Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-30

Continued.

leaves from the stems. Long years after
wards the perfume of a rose so vivid
ly recalled the scene to her-SO wildly
that she could not endure the flowers
Nor did she ever forget 1.-THE garden
with it's fragrant blossoms, the tall
elm-tree the cool spreading shade
the bright lovely face framed in the
bright brown hair, the white hands
playing with the crimson buds-a
picture so beautiful that Mr.. Ford
looked on in admiration too great for
words.
He was silent for some little time,
his heart troubled within him at what
he had to say. He looked at Mrs.
Waldron, and while he owned to him
self that he had never seen any woman
one half so fair, he thought how much
better and happier she would be living
her in the midst Of beauty and peace
than tossed about on the waves of the
great world.
Ismay wondered what he was think
ing OF, why he looked so grave, what
anxious thoughts brought so stern an
expression to his face, and why he was
glancing at her with so strange a
mingling Of wonder, fear, regret, and
admiration. Her face grew crimson,
under his lingering gaze.
Il have no need to fear him. she
thought to herself with some little
Impotence. "He must nave something
important to say, or he never would
have asked me to come out here"
What have you to tell me?" she
asked at length, with a coquettish
smile,
And then the grave look returned to
his face, and he sighed deeply.
81 do not like my mission" he said
You must always remember that
undertook it sorely against my will,
but that my motive for acting as 1 do
is that | may be of use to you in time
to come"
His grave voice, his earnest manner,
surprised her. She raised her lovely
face to him, and on it was the simple
wonder of startled child.
only Heaven knows" continued the
grave voice whether what | have to
say to you is for your good, or whether
evil will come of it. Listen, Mrs. VALID
ron, and decide as you will"
Slowly, gravely, deliberately, weigh
ing each word, Mr.. Ford told her the
whole story, emitting no single grain
of evidence, dwelling on her mothers
folly as lightly as possible yet making
it quite apparent. AS she listened, the
dainty Wild-rose bloom faded from her
face, her eyes dilated with wonder that
was almost fear. He finished, and his
last words sounded to her as though
they came from the clouds. A red
mist swan before her eyes, and then
she recovered herself with a great
gasping sigh.
You must be brave" he said; you
have worse to hear"
And l." she said, "am really that
great lords grandchild?"
There is not legal doubt of it, he
replied. Listen yet, Mrs. Waldron.
You are undoubtedly the daughter of
Katrine Ismay Carlswood, who ran
away from home with Thornton Came
ron. You are the grandchild of Lord
Carlswood, the Master of Bralyn and
its rich dependencies. The child play
ing there may one day be Lionel, Lord
Carlswood; you yourself may be a
wealthy heiress. But there is one con-
dition attaching to all this-a condi-
ton | am ashamed to lay before you
and one that cannot advise you to ac-
cept. The option rests entirely with
yourself"
"A condition." she repeated, her face
recovering it's color, her eyes flashing
with light. You do not know how
have always longed to be rich. | can
not believe that my longing is to be
gratifed there will be no condition toe
difficult for me to accept"
Il am not so sure of that" said the
man of law Lord Carlswood is {
very proud mani should say no mar
living is prouder; he has the creates
reverence for what he calls the honor
of his house; he would, l believe
rather die any death than tarnish it
Think how he values it when h.
treated his only daughter as one deat
because she married beneath her.
will be brief, for the subject pains me
Lord Carlswood will receive you a
his grandchild-will give you larg
fortune-will make your little son hi
heir-all upon condition that you leav
your husband, whom he considers low
born, and promise never to see hin
again.
1t was wonderful to see the light tina
flashed into her face, the indignan
CLEAN of her eyes, the scorn of tn
proud lips.
Leave my husband-promise neve
to see him again! l would not do it
be a queen, Paul loves mel will nc
break his heart"
You have answered just as
thought you would. l shall not a
tempt to influence you. l am bound
tell you that, if you refuse, Lor
Carlswood will find another heir, an
you will hear no more of the matte
Perhaps you had better take time b,
fore you decide
Leave my husband" she repeate
with burst of passionate tears. Il
must be wicked to think l would do S
| could not. Paul loves me So"
He sat in silence while the burst
passionate tears lasted. Presently 81
turned angrily to him.
You should not have presented SUI
an offer to me-" she cried. How da
you tempt me SOP"
Madam" he replied, gravely,
have but followed my instructions
neither more or less"
Tell him. this proud lord, from me