Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-20
J rhOrnS and Orange Blossoms.
AUTHOR
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL


because he cannot pay his hotel bill
Il hope it is nothing quite SO bal
as that" said the kindly wife. eff i
is, must do something to help tn
girl, for I am really fond of her"
But a delicate little investigation
carried on by Oscar, proved just thu
contrary. There seemed to be no lacl
of money. The landlord told him, il
strict confidence, that the English ar
fist was the best payer in the hotel
that his donations to the servants an(
walters and his gifts to the poo
showed that he had plenty of money a
| command.
ut may be, mother" said Oscar
chat he has had plenty until now, ant
that he foresees shortness. I have
thought lately that he had something
on his mind; he looks so thoughtful
or rather, so uneasy. L am quite sure
there is something wrong. Perhaps
his pictures will not SELL"
| In that case you would imagine
that he would be only too pleased tt
accept your fathers Offer"
Il do not think so. He does not like
any of us, and he is jealous of me-
Lord RIVERS was thoughtful. More
than once Oscar Carstone had found
him walking on the terrace, his hand
some brows knitted, his lips tightly
| drawn, frown on the open brow, and
the shadow of deep thought in his
eyes.
Money" said the heir of Ingleshaw
| to himself-"money! Nothing but
want of money ever makes man look
like that" And, although he was by
| no means ill-natured, he was not alto
gether sorry that the man who would
persist in treating him as an inferior
was in some trouble. 81 would lend
him few hundreds myself" he said,
without saying anything to my father,
if he would humble himself even ever
so little, but never while he carries
himself like that"
and down the terrace; and the sight
of his troubled face went to her heart.
She remembered how sanguine he had
been, how he had lavished everything
upon her, always telling her that he
could afford it. She went up to him,
and placed her arm in his.
Let us share the walk and the
thoughts and the trouble. You look
worried, Randolph. Is it about
money!"
certainly money has to do with it, -
he replied, vaguely.
Cheer up, Randolph! While we
have youth, health and strength, it
seems to me sad thing to be troubled
about money. l would not be so trou-
bled," she added, with a bright laugh.
why, Randolph, you need not be down
hearted. You know you carry your
fortune in those clever fingers of
yours" And, with a quick, graceful
motion, she bent down and kissed his
| hands.
you are the sweetest comforter in
the world, Violet" he said. His hon
est heart beat with delight, his honest
| face cleared and frightened.
when I talk to you about money,
Randolph" she remarked, you always
begin to praise me-
Because | think you the least mer-
| cenary person in the world" he re-
piled; land, just as l detest mercenary,
so love unmercenary people
Il hope 1 shall always have enough
| to eat and to drink, and roof over
my head, with just a few simple pleas
ures; beyond that / care but little
Violet declared.
He bent down and kissed the beauti-
full face; such grand, noble, generous
soul shone out of those violet eyes.
1T is for love of you, my darling!'
he cried.
! Randolph" she said, after a short
pause, Il wish you would be a little
more worldly wise
do you? But thought you did not
care about worldly people"
Il do not; but there is a proper kind
of worldliness. Now listen patiently
promise me beforehand that you will
not be cross"
Il will not" he replied.
Still she hesitated, with curious
kind of hesitation.
Il am half afraid she said, with g
little tremulous laugh, and that admis.
sion made him very tender toward
her. 81 do want you to be more world
ly WISE" she went on. 81 can see how
you might make a great deal o.
money"
Tell me how" he said.
"By being a little more amiable with
the Carstones. They are rich people
oh, Randolph, they are so rich, ant
they give such great sums of money fol
pictures; and they like u.s."
Well" he said, for she had paused
abruptly, what then, Violet?"
They like u.s." she repeated; s'ant
l am quite sure, Randolph, - vol
would be just little more agreeable
to Mr.. Carstone, he would buy as man,
pictures as you could paint. Tha
would not be losing your independence
he would have far more than the valu.
OF his money" She wondered at tn,
amused smile that played round hi.
lips
/ You are not angry EandoIpb -, oh.
asked.