Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-07
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Whatever were the trials and diff
fculties of her new life, Florence re-
solved to bear them braVely. The
great sting of all was remOved,-nC
one spoke i'll of her dead father. Her
warm, loving heart was not wounded a
hundred times each day by illusions to
his faults and the wrong he had done
to every one.
With Mrs. Caldwell, she would have
been, comparatively speaking, happy;
bnt the young ladies were jealous and
enyious. The journey to Rome was
not unpleasant. To Florence it was a
dream of delight; she forgot the petty
veyations, the little miseries of her
everyday life. She was realizing
one of her widest hopes; she was
travelling to that land of beauty and
song" of which she had dreamed from
the time when she had been a child.
They reached Rome in safety. Many
English people we're there, people OF
rank and position; Mrs. CadWells
heart rejoiced as she read the long
lists Of noble and celebrated names
She took apartments in one of the
best and most fashionable parts OF
Rome She had some letters of in
PRODUCTION, and she with her daughters
determined to gain a footing in the
very best society.
Nothing second-rate, mamma,
said Maria, who was the leading spirit
Of the family; remember, everything
depends upon the set we get into first
1t must be a good one, if we wait six
months"
Both sisters and mother agreed in
this. Their brightest hopes were
placed upon the Hon. Mrs. Goodwin, tc
whom they bore a special letter OF
Introduction. She received them
kindly, was civil to Mrs. Caldwell and
her daughters, but seemed to grow
fond of Florence.
Who in the world is that com
panion of yours?" she said one day tc
the merchants widow. What a beauti-
full patrician face she has! Where die
she come from?'
~ = =. '-ttb well ABIciILCb WIN SOlAlS
little pride that she had been recon-
mended to her by Signor Bacchi. She
was an orphan, who had been living
as companion with some relative. Mrs
Goodwin looked thoughtful, and said
nothing. In her own mind she haC
already condemned the Cadwells as
paryenus, and decided that Florence
no ~
ciety.
Day by day Maria and Julia dis.
liked Florence more and more They
disliked her because of the attention
she excited. People praised her looks
her manner, her voice, the perfect ease
and fuency with which she SPOKE
italian. The Misses Caldwell, in theil
own minds. termed her designing
and underlined They reminded he
constantly of their difference in pc
sition, and spoke of the duties" 0
persons of her class But tn,
sweet, untiring patience with which
she bore it all might have disarmet
them.
You might really have found
companion, mamma" was Julia's duti
full remark, who would have beef
useful to us from knowing other PEG
pie. Many ladies, highly connected
and of good family, would be glad t,
enjoy the advantages Miss Wyverl
does, and they would have introduce
US to their friends, you know"
But Mrs. Caldwell liked the beautiful
gentle girl, who was always amiabl
and pleasant with her.
Florence, owing to the good natur
# Mrs. Caldwell had a little room G
her own. The sisters intruded Their
sometimes under different preteXts
they were in reality very curious as t
the contents of the boxes that tn
young girl always kept locked.
One morning Mrs Caldwell aske
Florence to go to the bank for he
The girls did not know she was al
sent. and went to her room for the
Italian lesson. They raped, but Il
answer came. Maria opened the doc
and entered boldly. saying that Mis-
Vyvern ought to be ready for ht
duties at the appointed time. tt
room was in its usual tidy state, b.
one of the boxes always kept locke
was half-opened, and from it the,
hung something that looked like
mixture of exquisite blue satin ar
white lace.
Maria looked and hesitated. Jul
looked too: then both sisters look'
at each other. They were half asham,
of the curiosity which actuated then
the lace hung directly over the lock
the box
Whatever that is said Maria
last, 1T will be quite spoiled. I W
replace it. 1t is not often Miss w
yern leaves things untidy."
She raised the que satin: it was t
sleeve of richly-trimmed dre
Maria forgot all else In her GU
osity she drew out the remainder. a
found one of the most elegant event
dresses she had ever seen, trimm
with seed pearls and point lace. S