Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-17
Lord Lynne'S Choice
BY
BERTHA M. CLAY.

| =
Lynne hewas deferential, almOstrever
: entail; to her sister he was all that one
/ could imagine chivalrous and courte
Gus man to be.
It was a gay little party assembled
that evening in the cosy boudoir Of
Lady Lynne; supper was already pre-
, pered and no one seemed SO animated
or SO happy as the count. He did not
conceal his great admiration Of the
golden-haired, graceful girl, by whose
side he fingered. He amused and
interested every one-his social talents
were Of no mean order; and Count
Rinaldo seemed in fair way to find
an easy entree into the highest and
most exclusive circles in London
Later in the evening the conversation
turned upon the autumn and it's sport
Come down with us to Lynnewolde
Court" said Lord Lynne. eff you know
nothing of English country-house life,
it will amuse you; we can find you some
good shooting, too"
A flush of qualification spread over
the counts face.
Il shall be most happy, my lord" he
replied, ito avail myself of your kind
ness"
AS he spoke his eyes fell upon Lady
Lynne's face, and he read there that if
it were in her power to prevent it he
should never go to Lynnewolde.
Without being able to protest
against it, Lady Lynne found herself
obliged to receive the count as a daily
visitor at her house. He did not again
seek a private interview with her; on
the contrary he stunned it, He
never gave her any opportunity of
speaking to him, save in the presence
of others. He was careful, too; he
did not push his victory too far. He
cautiously abstained from every word
or look that could displease or irri-
tate her. Lord Lynne and Agatha
were much amused at what they
deemed her capricious dislike to Count
Rinaldo.
1T is all of a piece, Inez," said her
husband to her one day. 81 believe you
detest Spain, Serranto, and everything
and everybody connected with them -
You are quite right" she replied
Il should like best never to hear even
the names again"
The young lord thought with pity
how wretched and dull her existence
must have been, that she dreaded even
to think it.
Life was almost intOlerable to Lady
Lynne. It was little wonder that her
cheeks grew pale and her eyes dim.
Some women have suffered less, and
have died of the pain. 1t was not the
undying remorse, the bitter shame
of that miserable past,-not only
the hatred and loathing she felt for
the count, the scorn she had for her
self-but she could not endure the de-
ception practised upon the noble, honest
man who had made her his wife There
were times when she felt inclined to
kueel at his feet and tell him all. She
knew his notions of honor were rigid
and unbending. If it broke his own
heart and hers, she knew that he
would leave her that very hour and
never see her again. He would Snot
reprOach her,-no angry word would
fall from his lips,-he would show
neither scorn nor contemporary, he
would pity her youth and folly,-for
Lord Lynne was ever gentle and ten
der in his treatment Of women; but
he would never see her again. She
had sinned to win him; could she bear
to lose him? She was still young
a long life lay before her; how could
she bear it's dreary blank without him?
No; at any cost she must keep her
secret, even though the anguish of
bearing it consumed her strength and
her life. From that sad tortured
breast there rose night and day that
one wailing cry, My sin has found me
ont" CutwardIy there was no sign
Of anything wrong. No one could have
dreamed there was q skeleton in the
closet of that beautiful, brilliant, Lady
Lynne. She was sLin the reigning
belle, the leading star OF fashion; the
wealthy, the none. the great-all laid
their homage at her feet. Invitations
poured in upon her. Day by day she
became more popular and admired. Lit
tie thought those who looked with
wonder and envy upon her beauty and
her wealth that this magnificent lady
would gladly have changed places with
the poorest and meanest to have en-
iOyed that greatest OF all blessings, the
charm of good and peaceful con
science,-a blessing that was never
again to fall to the lot of Inez Lynne
Lord Lynne really liked the society
of Count Rinaldo. The willy Italian
had the great art of knowing how tt
iiatter so Gelicately that it was i'm
possible to detect in his gay, courteous
words any fiatterv at al. Agatha liked
him in her gentle. undemonstrativt
way. She laughed at his gallant com
pli~onts. and smiled at his admira
ton. No day passed without its bring
ing the count, under some preteXt o.
other. to Lord Lynne's house: AM
Inez dared not object; she dared no
say much Of her dislike,-she had t
L conceal it under semblance Of indif
ference. She dreaded being ques
> toned by her husband and Agatha a
to how and why she alone disliked til
gay and courteous count.
One evening as the count was takin
1 leave Of her he slipped q little not
into her hands: when she was alon
! she read it. There were but few lines
" but they contained the death-warran
=, CT Inez Lynne.
The time has come when l clair
e your assistance. I love your siste
| Agatha, and by your hep and in
huence intend 10 make her my wife. -