Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-14
CHAPTER xxx.


quiet. 1t was, too, she thought, the
last spot where Count RinaldO would
think of looking for them. Not one
word had Lord Lynne said of their
tourney; no one knew where he had
some At Paris he told Agatha he
thought Rome would be the best place
for Inez to rest in, and she acquiesced
checrfully in his decision. Quiet had
a great charm for Agatha Lynne. The
day before he started, Lord Lynne,
who made constant inquiries about
Lady Florence, heard that she had
gone with some family as companion
to Rome.
Inez and Agatha were as much in
terested in finding her as the young
lord himself. AS soon as Lady Lynne
had somewhat recovered from the eX-
cessive weakness that Frustrated her,
they went out every day visiting the
different places of interest in Rome,
hoping to meet her, but day after
day they were disappointed
One morning Agatha suggested a
visit to the Coliseum. She was long
ing to see it. They went, and were
gazing in speechless admiration at the
circle of shattered arches and cor
ridors overgrown with shrubs and
green grass, when Lady Lynne cried,
"Philip look! there is a picture! Do
you see that beautiful, sorrowful
young girl leaning against those old
stones? If | had but my pencil. What
a sketch that would make! l never
saw a more exquisite face"
Lord Lynne looked; and then, to his
wifes surprise, cried out, "Inez, that is
Lady Florence Wyvern. I am truly
thankful. Let us go over to her at
once"
All that day they lavished upon the
friendless, solitary girl the most low
ing care and attention. Not one word
did she say to them of the unpleasant
ries of her present life. She spoke
of the constant kindness Of Mrs. Cad
we'll aud said but little of her daugh-
ters. They would not hear of any re-
turn to what they called her slavery.
Lady Lynne had promised she should
go back that evening; but she repented
having said so, and was glad to hear
her husband and sister strongly pro-
hibit any such measure. A polite note
was therefore written and dispatched
to Mrs. Caldwell, who had not eX-
pected to see the late companion
again.
1t was wonderful how much Julia
and Maria found to praise and admire
in the young girl they had previously
disliked. The whole evening was
spent in discussing the mornings
adventure. The arrival of the pretty
scented billet, with a coronet upon the
envelope, was but another charm.
The day following Lord and Lady
Lynne called upon Mrs. Caldwell. They
little knew the preparations that had
been made for that event,-how many
dresses the girls had tried on; how
the salon had been arranged; how the
card-basket was weeded of all OBJ
noxious and commonplace names, and
the Honorable Mrs. Godwin's card
placed where it was sure to attract at
tention.
Mrs. Goodwin gave some very plain
hints that she considered she ought to
be present at the interview; but Mrs.
Caldwell discreetIy refused to under
stand them.
Lord Lynne explained as much as he
thought proper of the circumstances
that had caused Lady Florence to act
as she had done
Il consider myself her guardian" he
continued II was her fathers intimate
friend: and Lady Lynne wishes her to
make her home with us at present.
Some arrangement will be entered into
with the present Earl of Wyvern, who
is bound to allow Lady Florence an
income from the estate. If you can find
some one as substitute for her, Mrs.
Caldwell, you will confer a great favor
upon Lady Lynne and myself"
Mrs. Caldwell was only too happy to
do anything in her power. All arrange
ments were soon concluded, and Lady
Lynne undertook to send for the lug
gage belonging to her young friend.
You must not think" said Lord
Lynne. with the kind courtesy that
ever distinguished him, that we in
tend to deprive you altogether of Lady
Florence's society | hope you viii
call sometimes at the Palazzo Giorni
We shall be happy to see you"
It was a triumph to be able to tel
Mrs. Goodwin that they were invited tt
r:sit Lady Lynne.
4 tell you" returned the lady, ''i
more fortunate thing never happened
to any one"
Both Agatha and Lady Lynne haC
the kindest affection for the beautiful
young girl, who seemed to have NJ
friends. She was happy with them
but she never felt quite at home witt
Lord Lynne. She had not forgotten
those few days at Severnoke Castle
when ne had seemed to care SO mucl
ABOUT her.
Lady Florence admired the super
beauty of Lady Lynne. She under
stood how much the graceful, dignifie
Andalusian loved her husband. Lor
Lynne was kind and courteous to he
as to every one. and she was wonder
fully happy in that new home wher
every loving care and attention wa
laviShed upon her. A correspondent
was opened with the Earl of WyverI
Lord Lynne refused to listen to an
argument Florence brought forward
and declared she must be guided b
common sense, not pride, and that he
fathers daughter should receive
suitable provision from her father
estate
They had now been three weeks
Rome, and Lady Lynne was beginnin