Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-10-04

her side.
who are your" was the question
asked by her uncOmpromising eyes ant
stern face, a question they both fell
must be answered.
Lord RIVERS was equal to the situa-
ton; he would have gone through fire
for the girl by his side. He removed
his hat, with a low bow, and, seeing
him there with the sunlight on his
handsome head and face, his whole
bearing indicative Of nobility, wom-
ans heart might have relented to him
Not so Miss Atherton's.
who are your" the stern eyes re
peated. He bowed again.
Il have the pleasure" he said "oi
speaking to Miss Anterior. I have
been several times on the point OF call,
ing to ask permission to sketch your
beautiful cottage"
Certainly not, SIR" she returned.
But Lord RIVERS was not daunted
Il think it is the most beautiful spot
l have SEEN" he added.
May | ask who you are, sir?" she
inquired.
Il an an artist, madam. have been
sketching in the woods Of st. Byno's.
was fortunate enough to meet your
niece, and she has kindly shown ME
one or two of the most picturesque
spots"
My niece" interrupted the lady,
has done wrong. She has no right to
speak to you, stranger"
q had a vague idea that it was not
quite right" said Violet, with a beau
tiful blush; but it was so pleasant to
talk to some one young, some one near
ly my own age, aunt
"YOung!" repeated Miss Anterior,
with great contempt What is youth
but folly! I wish you good morning,
sir. No, I decline to have my cottage
sketched. l shall keep my niece in
doors for the future"
At these words Violet WINGED. Lord
RIVERS saw that at this present junct-
ure of affairs, it would be useless to
speak. He trusted to the future. He
would fain have touched Violet's hand
before parting; but with these stern
eyes fixed upon him, it was impossible.
Il can only hope" murmured Violet,
that | shall not be buried alive III q
brick wall, like the girl in the poem.
AS for Miss Atherton, her indigna-
ton was too great for words.
CHAPTER V.
When Miss Atherton and her niece
reached Acacia Cottage, the elder lady
stood by while her niece entered.
Then slowly and majestically she turn
ed the key in the lock. Violet looked
at her.
Aunt Alice" she said, you cannot
mean what you have said? You can
not seriously intend to lock me in the
house?"
I mean it, Violet. For the future,
when you go out, l go with you"
Farewell, then. to the fresh, sweet
dewy mornings and pleasant rambles
by moonlight to hear the nightingale.
Farewell, to all the simple pleasures OF
her young life, if that stern duenna
were constantly to be her companion!
She stood still and looked in Miss Ath-
erton's face.
Aunt" she said. simply, why
should you punish me? l have done
no wrong, though it is true that 1 have
met this young artist several times.
l did not tell you, because l know you
dislike young men. But it was pleas
ant to talk to some one of my own
age
Your own age" replied Miss Ather-
ton, is the age of folly
Il do not deny it; but folly is some
times sWeeter than wisdom. And you
are really going to lock me up because
/ have exchanged a few pleasant words
With 4 pleasant acquaintance, one who
will in all probability go away in a
few days never to return"
you know my opinion with regard
to young men, and, mind, it is my duty,
Violet''-and Miss Anterior looked a
little confused. You do not leave
this house again while that person is
in the neighborhood, unless I accom-
pany you
Aunt Alice" said the girl calmly,
you may think it your duty to act as
you are doing; but it is one of the IN
kindest things you ever did in your
life"
Il am the best judge of that, Violet,
have full liberty to walk in the garden
and the orchard, but nowhere else
without my permission"
And Miss Atherton, with the virtu-
Gus consciousness of one who has done
right, retired to her room, leaving her
niece to her thoughts They were net
very cheerful ones. Violet almost
lived out Of doors. What home, pa
rents. friends were to other girls the
fields and flowers were to ner; and the
prospect of having Miss Atherton rs
her constant companion was not a
pleasant one.
If Miss Atherton had not met the
young couple, and had not considered
it her duty to punish her niece, Violet
would not have thought half so much
about the young artist. AS it was, her
thoughts constantly reverted to him.
She went over all their discussions and
arguments in her mind again and
again. She realized that she would
never again be happy without a friend
of her own age. 1t was pleasant to
laugh and to talk. to exchange ideas
with some one on terms OF equality
The intercourse she held with her
aunt was 100 one-sided to be agreeable
Miss Atherton uttered sentiments. ard
Violet listened to them without even
the desire to contradict. But with the
young artist it had been quite different
There had been a delightful freedom