Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-07

Where are you staying?" asked
Lord Lynne
Il am travelling companion to three
ladies'" answered Florence, with a
smile. I'VE are staying in the Via
Gregoriana'
You must go home with u.s. cried
Lady Lynne. II you only knew how
we have searched for you. We vii
not lose sight Of you again.
why did you not write to me?'
said Lord Lynne, reproachfully. was
I not your fathers friend? l can
hardly forgive you"
Come with US for the day at least,
said Lady Lynne, watching the sweet
face as it alternately paled and flushed
We can arrange for the future.
am not willing to part with you
You are very kind, Lady Lynne
replied Florence; "but am engaged;
my time is no longer my own. will
ask for the day, but I am not quite
sure if | can be spared.
do not speak so, Lady Florence
you horrify me-" cried Lord Lynne.
Introduce me to your friends, and !
will arrange that"
| He noted the half-relucIant expires
sion that came over her face, and
smiled as he did so.
Am I to take the law in my own
hands and introduce MYSELF" he
asked, with a smile
No" she cried hastily. But, Lord
Lynne, l call myself Miss Wyvern to
to these people. 1t seemed so absurd
for a Lady Florence to go out as COM
panion.'
1T is absurd, indeed" he replied,
dryly eve must alter that. I will
make it straight for you at once. In
troduce me, if you please"
Then Lady Florence brought Lord
and Lady Lynne up to the futtered
and agitated group, and introduced
them to each individual composing it.
Mrs. Goodwin went through the cere-
mony like lady; the Cadwells were
nervous. They had attained the end
and aim of their existence at last;
they were introduced to a real lord
and his lady.
Lady Lynne was most gracious, and
her smiles bewildered them. Lord
r2inutes about Rome, and then turned
TO Mrs. Caldwell with a polite bow.
Mrs. CALDWELL said he, this young
lady, | find, has been masquerading
You must allow me to introduce her
as Lady Florence Wyyern, the daugh-
ter of my late dear friend, the Earl
of Wyvern. Lady Lynne and my
SELF he continued, have been seek
ing all over Rome for her We heard
she was here, and now that we have
found her, l am sure you will allow us
TO monopolize her for the day."
Certainly, my lord" replied the
poor lady, whose ideas we're all dis
arranged. Il hope Lady Florence will
make no stranger Of me, but do just
as she likes"
you are very kind" said Lady
Lynne, replying for her husband. eff
Lady Florence goes with us now, she
will return this evening, and tomor-
row,-if you will allow us,-We will
call upon you and arrange for the
future
1t was with feelings Of envy and
wonder that they saw the Lynnes dis
appear, taking with them the very
companion whose responsibility they
had that morning doubted.
AN earl's daughter!" said Maria,
as she watched them disappear. We'll,
| always thought there was something
very distinguished about her.
Il knew she was an aristocrat the
first moment [ saw her, said Mrs.
Goodwin: ANY one accustomed to good
society would know that at once"
81 am sorry to lose her." sighed Mrs.
Caldwell; she is the most amiable
girl I ever knew"
1T is a grand good thing for you,"
sought after when it becomes known
that the Lynne's friend, Lady Flor
ence Wyvern, has visited you"
Has been our companion, you
mean,' interrupted Maria.
eff you are wise you will not al
lude to that" replied the woman of
the world, cor people will know at
once that she was incog. If you have
treated her kindly, she will repay you,
and you will so gain a footing in the
very best society. A more fortunate
thing could not have happened"
Something like a pang of remorse
went through the hearts of the Misses
Caldwell as they remembered how they
had treated their, companion. What
must she think of them after all they
had said of her ''class" and her E'po-
sition?" Each red face became still
more red as the remembrance Of
many such words flashed across them.
To be continued.