Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-21
Continued.

1t might have been a pleasant even
ing, for Lord Lynne was animated ant
happy, Lady Florence seemed to have
recovered the gay cheerful manner
that had once been her great charm
the count told irresistible anecdotes OF
his London adventures, and Agatha
listened amused and interested; but
Lady Lynne had a weary Iistless look
upon her face, and her heart was sad
almost unto death. Once or twice
Lord Lynne gave an anxious look at
his wife.
'She is not strong" he thought; 81
must not let her fatigue herself too
much
How could he ever dream of the
depth of anguish in that wearied
heart!
That night Lady Lynne could not
sleep; in vain were pillows of soft
est down made smooth and cool; the
hot aching head tossed YEARLY from
side to side, seeking for the rest she
was never more to find. At times
there was a strong impulse upon her to
seek her husband, and confess all to
him. But then she would never see
him again,-her sin, her struggle, and
her triumph, would all be in vain
Better" said the perverted heart
far better to die while he loves you
than to live without him"
No sleep came to ease the burning
eyes and the aching head. When the
gray dawn Of morning came, Lady
Lynne went quietly to her maids
room.
"Stephanie," she said to her, "will
you get up and find me that little bot
tie of laudanum I had when my face
ached so badly"
Certainly my lady" replied the
willing maid. lam so sorry your face
is bad again. I would have been up
hours ago, if had known"
When Stephanie brought the little
phial, she looked in alarm at her
lady's pale face.
'The pain must have been very
bad she said; what can I do?"
Nothing now" replied Inez.
When the maid disappeared, Inez
carefully dropped a small portion of
the liquid into a spoon and drank it.
After that she slept, the heavy unre-
freshing sleep that results from
Opiates
Lord Lynne and Agatha were full of
commiseration the next morning;
Stephanie had told them how her
lady had suffered so much from her
old complaint, neuralgia in her face
that she had been obliged to procure
opium, to rub it with.
81 thought something was wrong
last evening"" said Philip, you were
so quiet; but Inez, my darling, be
careful of that opium; a small guam
tity may deaden the pain but mind
you do not take too much"
The afternoon brought Count Ri
naldo to the Palazzo GiOrni. Lord
Lynne spoke much of the Leighs. and
of the pleasure they should feel in be-
ing all together once more.
Il should not wonder" he said, eff
they arrived this very day.
An uneasy expression came over the
counts face.
do you expect your friends today?"
he said, turning to Inez.
They will probably reach here"
she replied, understanding fully all
that was comprised in the question.
Lord Lynne was not deceived in his
expectations; for just as they had
finished dinner the door opened and
Sir Allan Leigh and Miss Leigh were
announced.
Evelyn had quite recovered her
bloom; her smile was bright as ever;
all trace of her long illness had van
ished. Sir Allan had altered wonder
fully. He was now a tall handsome
man, with a bronzed face and dark
moustache. There was one thing in
which it was quite evident he ha
net changed was his deep and
lasting love for Agatha Lynne. Tall
and strong as he was. poor Sir Allan
trembled like an aspen leaf when her
little hand lay for a moment in his
grasp and her sweet true eyes smiled
upon him again.
And Miss Agatha Lynne. who had
felt uncomfortable when Lord Hort
ington had paid open attentions to
her,-who Stunned the handsome.
courteous Count Montalti,-looked
very shy and conscious, as the honest,
manly young baronet fingered near
her, and seemed to forget that any one
else existed. Evelyn and Lady
Florence were very happy together
both had the same love and keen ap-
probation of humor; and Lord Lynne's
face positively beamed with happiness
when he heard the ripple of silvery
laughted that sounded through the
room. In the course of the evening
Count Rinaldo appeared and was cor
daily welcomed by the hospitable
nobleman, who really liked a house
full of visitors.
Il was passing by said the Italian,
land thought I should like to know if
your friends had arrived
He was introduced to Sir Allan and
Evelyn, and watched, with scrutiniz-
ing eyes, the devotion paid by the
young baronet to Agatha.
Coffee having been handed round.
the long windows that opened on the
balcony were opened. 1t was one of
the prettiest in Rome; graceful flowers
We're entwined in the ironwork, max
ing quite an ornamental bower of ii
and there was a view of unrivalled
magnificence from it that Inez had
spent hours in admiring.
1t was with great, though silent
amusement, that Lord Lynne saw Sill