Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-24
CHAPTER XVI.

A bright beautiful May day. In
Brookdale House every one seemed to
be unusually busy and excited, for to-
day Lady st. Norman and Miss st.
Norman were to be introduced to her
most gracious majesty. Lady ST. Nor
man, usually so calm, so gentle, so
placid, owned that she was agitated
She was surprised that Ethel did not
manifest more interest. Lord st. Nor
mans daughter seemed to think but lit
tie of the great event which gave her
step-mother SO much pleasure. If her
father had not insisted, she would not
have agreed to go at ALL
at is all very well for Others" said
Ethel to herself; for girls who had
happy future, bright, pleasant life
before them; but for her there seemed
something homogeneous about it,
The wife of forger and theft to
be received at court! She smiled bit
terly to herself as she thought of it.
Instead of going to court or miugling
with the gay and happy, the poor child
would fain have hidden herself, her
sorrow, and despair from all mortal
| eyes. In vain she had begged her
| father to leave her at Norman's Keep,
to let her stay at Fountayne, to place
her anywhere, rather than ask her to
take her position in the great world.
| 'Ot what use is it?" she asked to
herself. "Other girls have some hope
the hope of love, of marriage, of hap
piness, of pleasure; I have none"
The very word love" was distaste-
full to her. What had love done for her
but plunge her into such a dark gull
of misery as she could not be rescued
from?
Lord and Lady st. Norman both
wondered why Ethel shrank from the
society of young girls of her own age
She seemed to avoid and dread them
lhelr pretty, innocent conversation
their ideas of love and lovers, were al
full Of pain to her; their GIRLS. laugh.
ter seemed to hurt her; their freedom
from care was to her like a reproach
1 shall never be as they are" she
was wont to say to herself there vii
be no more laughter or song, no more
pleasure or brightness for me-"
Lord st. Norman had taken posses
sion of his new estates; he had at
tended the funeral of the late lord
had administered to his will, arranged
all his affairs, and had decided tina
Normans Keep should be the priucina
place of abode of himself and his fam
lily. He had been warmly welcomed by
the tenantry, with whom the late lore
mad not been favorite; young anC
thoughtless, he had not looked afte,
thelr interests or attended to thei1
wants.
The new lord promised to be very
different, and he was welcomed accord
lngly People were all anxious t.
make his acquaintance AS Sir Leon.
ard Gordon he had been wei. know
in diplomatic circles, but not beyonl
them; now, with his new title, ever,
one felt an interest in him.
1t was known that he had only on5
daughter, and much wonder was af1oat
ABOUT her Some had known beautiful
Ethel Gordon when she lived in the
quiet retirement of COMMUNICATIVE
she had been content with county So.
clety; but Lord st. Norman's heiress
was a very different person. In the
great world people were all DESTROYS o,
welcoming her.
Inc family had gone to London. and
mad taken possession OF BrookdaIa
House. Both ladies were presented on
the same day, the only difference beina
that Cne looked forward to the event
with the keenest pleasure, the other
! with the keenest pain.
Lady st. Norman was pleased with
her court costume-she was delighted
with the grand old family diamonds;
While Ethel stood in all the grandeur
OF ner beauty before the large mirror
and never even remarked the color OF
the dress she was wearing.
"Ot what use is it ALP" was the bur
oen of her thoughts. "Of what use?''
Lord st. Norman had purchased an
exquisite set Of pearls and ruhies for
her; he intended them as a surprise on
the day Of her presentation. and a sur
| prise they were. He gave them to her
| himself
That is the greatest pleasure l have
had since I have been a rich man." he
said, Il have always Ionged to be
able TO give you bright and beautiful
Jewels, Ethel, you are so beautiful
yourself Now my longing has been
gratifed."
She opened the cases. The time had
/ been when her face would have flushed
with pleasure and her eyes have
cleaned with delight at the sight Of
those gorgeous jewels. Now. as she
looked at them, her face grew pale,
| her eyes dim with tears.
They are too good, too costly for
NE, papa" she said.
Lord st. Norman smiled.
Why, Ethey, you are growing hum
ble!" he exclaimed. TOO good for
you. In my opinion there is no Jewel
too costly for you, my darling"
She held UP her hand with little
gesture of infinite pain, but she uttered
no word; she could not explain to him,
the proud, indulgent father, who valued
MS riches only because they minis
tered to her pleasure, that jewels did