Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-15
(Continued.)


the most beautiful in all that brilliant
throng; the rich satin made her white
arms and shoulders doubly fair. Her
beautiful southern face was radiant,
her dark eyes were full of light, and
the costly diamonds shone on her
queenly figure, and in the ripples Of
her dark hair.
Her entree created quite sensation.
Beauties who had been reigning
triumphantly, saw their reign at an
end. A crowd of admirers soon sur
rounded her, and Lord Lynne smiled
as he heard the low expressions of
admiration her appearance excited.
That night was the most brilliant
Lady Lynne ever saw, homage and
adulation foated like incense around
her. Wherever her bright eyes fell
she saw smiles and chances of admir-
alton. People watched her when she
danced, and agreed that such grace
was rare. The young husband was
proud of her triumphs, and again
thought to himself that he had chosen
both wisely and well.
But a greater triumph still was in
store for Inez. One of the royal
dukes, who seldom attended either
balls or parties, honored her Grace
of Ruthewell with his presence, and
as soon as he was introduced to Lady
Lynne, he asked her for the next
waltz. There was a glow Of graft
fed pride on her radiant face as she
assented, and people talked of the
honor paid to the belle of the sea-
SON." the beautiful Lady Lynne.
When the waltz was ended, her
royal partner found a seat for Inez
under the spreading foliage of mag
nificent plant that adorned the ball
room He stood by her side convers-
ing for some minutes, evidently de-
lighted whit he wit and vivacity Of
his fair companion. When he went
away, Lord Lynne took his place by
her side.
"You look warm, Inez," he said;
chat last dance has tired you; come
into the cool conservatory, and / will
fetch you an ice"
Willingly she rose and went with
her husband, who placed a comfort
able lounging-seat for her near the
fountain; and then went in search of
an ice.
The dripping waters had soft,
soothing, musical sound; the perfume
of the rare flowers filled the air, the
sound of the distant music took her
thoughts back to that night at Lynne
h. 1,nl rA
few words Philip said to her sister,
and a smile of triumph rippled over
her beautiful face 1t was all safe
now; she had won the prize; what
mattered how? A life of love and
triumph, of gratifed ambition, and
high hopes, lay smiling before her.
Philip loved her; the world laid its
homage at her feet. She had nothing
to fear; and again the red lips smiled
as she remembered her past fear.
81 have been a long time, Inez," said
her husband, approaching her, "but
really the rooms are so crowded, that
| have almost had to fight my way"
There seems to be a great number
of people here" she replied, land so
many of them are coming this way"
REST few minutes longer" said
Lord Lynne you look quite re-
freshed already. 1 have something to
tell you that the duke said about
you"
She smiled again, and watched her
husband as he went back into the ball
room. Then the ripping waters drew
her attention, and she bent over the
fountain with the love-light still in
her dark eyes and the smile upon her
lips.
No one ever saw that same smile
again upon the face Of Lady Lynne.
Several people had entered the con-
servatory, and stood grouped among
the flowers and shrubs. One or two
sought, as Lord Lynne had done, the
GOODNESS of the fountain, and 1nez
watched them with some amusement
as her eyes wandered over the diff
ferent groups, her quick instinct tell
ing her who were lovers and who were
not.
All at once a deadly pallor over
spread the face of Lady Lynne, wild
look came into those dark eyes
riveted as though by some terrible
spell on the half-averted face of a
gentleman who stood alone intently
watching her. For one moment hel
lips opened, as though to utter pierre
ing cry; but even the very breath
seemed to die upon them, they were Sc
fixed and still. The bouquet of flower:
she held in her hands fell into thu
fountain, but she never needed thu
fall.
Lady Lynne. what is the matter
are you ill?" crieS one or two ladies
whom saw that white, startled face
and one of them went up to her, am
tried to take her hand.
Are you i'll, Lady Lynne?" she in
quired, gently; and never, to her dy
ing day, did the lady forget the ghast
ly face and wild eyes.
No reply, no word, came from tn
rigid lips.
Shall I find your husband?" aske
the lady: then the white stiffness G
the face was broken, the lips culver
ed, and she withdrew her eyes fror
the spot where their wild gaze ha
been so terribly fixed.
MY husband" she murmured
then, seeming to arouse herself by
great effort. she looked into tn
lady's face, and said, Thank you,
am not i'll: the heat made me faint fe
a half minute"