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

| laughing reply, and, rising Immediate
| ~, crossed over to where Inez was
| talking to Lord Lynne and the mar
| quis. Then the face of Count Rinaldo
was not pleasant to see. He saw
Lady Lynne intently watching him,
and it struck him that she had per
! haps been warning her sister against
| him. tShe would not dare me so far
| he said to himself "She would never
be so blind to her own in
terests, or so rash" But the convic-
ton grew upon him. Agatha was
neither uncivil nor pointedly cool to
him; she did not attract attention
either by her indifference or any ex-
hibition Of her real feelings; still,
there was something, an indefnable
something, in her manner, which
clearly proved to the count that she
was aware Of his liking for her, and
wished to show him quietly that it was
all in vain. Once Lady Lynne caught
his eyes fixed upon her with a glance
that, brave and fearless as she was,
seemed to freeze the blood in her
veins. As he was leaving, Count
Rinaldo drew near her.
II must see you alone, Lady Lynne, ;"
he said.
ct will be impossible" she replied
drawing back proudly.
eff you are wise, Lady Lynne" said
the count, you will not trife with a
desperate man. Unless I see you to-
morrow alone, I shall seek an inter-
view with your husband. Be at home
at three,-1 will not be later
She looked at him, and in that mo-
ment Lady Lynne would have given
the whole world to dare and defy him.
He read it in her naughty glance, and
smiled contemptuously upon her
1t was an easy matter to secure a
tete tete, but Inez revolted against
the necessity. Lord Lynne was from
home and would not return until din
ner time; Agatha, only too pleased to
enjoy few hours quiet, had gone to
the library with one of her favorite
books.
This time Lady Lynne made no prep
aration for her interview with the
man she detested. Principally at the
time appointed he was shown into the
drawing room, where she received him
with the dignity Of queen.
Let there be no waste Of words be-
tween u.s." he said; 81 am here to
warn you. I love your sister; her
fortune is just what I require, and I
intend to marry her. I can see plain
ly that you have tried to prejudice her
against me. Now, beware in time;
you must use your influence for me
and in my favor She made no reply,
in this, you know the consequences;
Agatha loves you, she is young, easily
Influenced, gentle and yielding,-if you
add your entreaties to mine, your in
fiuence to mine, I know she will con-
sent and will be my wife. Then all
will be we'll; if you refuse to help me,
you lose all that you value most
"Rinaldo," she said, gently, "have
you no mercy for me?"
II have learned to act and care for
myself" he replied, wondering at the
new and strange softness in her man
ner.
Have you no regret, no pity for the
blight and ruin you brought upon my
life?' she said. 'I was a child when
you iured me on to love and marry
you; have you no pity for the sorrow
you brought upon me, the fever of
grief you made me suffer, and still
more for the bitter shame and agony
passed through when I read your let
ter and found that I was but the fool
ish dupe of a clever, willy man? Have
you no regret or remorse for the
youth, the trust and faith you blighted
and slew when you killed my love?"
A strange, wistful light came into
her dark eyes.
'It seems to me-" she continued,
mournfully, that my fate, my story,
would move the heart of a stone
What have I done that I am so hardly
tied? Rinaldo, be just, be merciful,
and leave me in peace. You have
wrought evil enough"
She might have pleaded to a rock
with as much success as to a man
whose heart had for years been har-
dened and corrupted by se1ishness
and worldiness. He listened to her in
gloomy silence
eft is too late for this sort Of thing,
my lady, he replied, moodi1y. 81 must
have your sisters fortune; and as she
goes with it. I must have her"
But" said Lady Lynne, "she does
not love you, Count Rinaldo. Believe
me, if you knelt to her today, and
prayed to her to become your wife she
would refuse. I know her so well:
she is gentle, but she is firm,-she
does not care for you"
To be Continued.
ARTIFICIAL EYES.