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

The concert a. -iffOrd House was a
brilliant success, for the elite Of the
fashionable world were present, and
| the music was Of the best.
One group in that large and sumptu-
Ously-appointed room attracted more
attention than any other It con-
sisted of the beautiful Andalusian,"
| as Lady Lynne was called, and her
graceful sister. They were attended
by the handsome Italian"-the name
by which Count Rinaldo was generally
known-and the best parti of the sea-
son, the "observed of all observers"
the young and wealthy Marquis of
Harrington. Something like a flutter
of distress went through the ranks of
dOwagers and daughters when they
noted his attention to the graceful,
elegant Miss Lynne. To be sure she
was an heiress and a very wealthy
one, if rumour spoke truly. She was
of good family, too; no one could
deny that. There was also some
thing of the prestige of fashion about
her, thanks to the beauty and mag
nifcence of her sister, Lady Lynne.
But, as the Countess Dowager of
Straithon whispered to Lady Clonal-
| lon He might do so much better He
could marry the daughter Of the first
peer in England, if he would. What
can he see in that blonde, shy beauty,
| Miss Lynne?"
1t was evident the marquis saw
something in her which attracted him
very forcibly; his attentions to her
were so marked and deferential that
a dark frown gradually overspread the
| face of the Italian.
If Lady Lynne had not been so
thoroughly wretched she would have
| felt amused at her sisters evident de-
sire to be freed from both admirers.
There was nothing of the C0uuette in
Agatha: since her sisters warning, she
! had had rather a dread of the count:
and she cared no more for the mar
| quiS, with his title, his wealth, and his
estates, than she did of any other of
the young men who sighed and made
sentimental speeches to her.
Lady Eversleigh was almost in de-
spair as she watched this trio.
Could any one imagine" she said
to herself, amy creature so entirely
without tact? With one kind look
and few kind words, Agatha Lynne
might be Marchioness of Harrington,
and she neither gives one nor the
other. Did ever a girl throw away
such a chance?"
All unconscious of the interest, the
envy, and the jealousy she was caus-
ing, Agatha was wishing the concert
was over. She had, something ap-
preaching fear for the count. None
of the terrible things that Inez had
prophesied should come true if she
could help it. She would show him
decidedly that his attentions were all
thrown away. For the marquis she
had a quiet kind of liking and some
little pity. He was so kind and in
genuOus, simple and unaffected she
could not help liking him; at the same
time she wondered why he had not
I had the sense to choose some brilliant
beautiful girl, who would have return
ed his love, instead of herself She
: could never care for him. She die
uOl hIlON Iudl Iudl very ldCl SOuSllluG
: ed her charm in the eyes OF the youns
: man who was sought after by every
manoeuvring mother in London.
When the concert was over AM
Lady Lynne's carriage was announced
L the marquis, by an adroit movement
: was the first TO rise and offer his es
t cort to Agatha. She accepted it, an
Count Rinaldo followed with lower
: ing face. He fancied the young cir
e was cooler than usual to him. Whel
e they reached the house he was tn
y first to descend and offer his arm t
Miss Lynne. She refused with
u graceful gesture, and passing befor
e him, tripped lightly up the steps; We
o he would not believe that she had pun
u posely sighted him. When the
-e reached the drawing-room Agath
IT took possession of pretty loungin
B. chair, her favorite seat. The cour
r followed her and bending over he
re began some slight remonstrance upo
or what he was pleased to call he
cruelty. She made him some Sigh