Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-28

and such brightness could never come
to her.
If she had but looked in her mirror
before starting, she must have been
pleased with the picture she saw there
the beautiful face, with its faint
bloom, the rich brown hair, that
seemed to be crowned by the pretty
little coquettish bonnet of white lace,
with its one blush-rose. She looked
so fair, so lovely. so young, that it
seemed impossible her life should
have dark and terrible side.
There was long drive, and then
they came to the gardens where the
fete was being held. Despite her great
sorrow, and the dark cloud that was
not to be lifted from her life, youth
re-asserted itself The sun was shin
ing brightly, the bands were playing
gayly, colored flags were flying from
the trees. Ethels face flushed, her
eyes frightened, her heart beat. She
saw the bright costumes of the ladies,
beautiful and brilliant as the flowers
| themselves. For some few minutes
| she gave way to unusual eEhilaration
| of spirits, and then she was her old
self again. The memory of her ter
| rible secret returned to her What
right had she here-the wife Of a con-
victed felon?
Slowly and YEARLY she walked
among the brilliant rows of bloom;
she saw the faces Of girls of the same
age as herself all blithe and gay; she
listened to their pretty, lively non
sense, feeling old, worn, and aged in
comparison, and envying them, yet
owning to herself there was no one to
blame; it was her own fault
you are tired, Ethel" said Lady
St. Norman; ''rest here a while I am
going with Lady Long to see the
white camellias. Would you like to
accompany US, or will you remain
here?"
Il will rest" decided Ethel 1t
seemed to her a relief to be away
from the sound of voices.
She wandered down a narrow path
that seemed completely deserted. Here
were no rows of blooming, fragrant
blossoms, no laughing, bright-faced
girls. She would sit in the golden
green light, and muse at her will over
the one fatal error that had blighted
whole life. Presently she raised her
eyes as a slight sound attracted her
attention, and saw Sir Oscar coming
toward her
Il am so glad to see you, Miss st.
Norman" he said. 81 heard you were
coming" He did not add, $50 l came,
too" but the words were on his lips.
Her face frightened as she saw him.
How brilliant the flowers are look
ing" he remarked. ''Have you enjoyed
them?"
Her face flushed, and she laughed.
Il must tell the truth" she replied;
Il have not noticed them"
Il am not in the least surprised,' he
said, smiling. you come to a flower
show, where sun and flowers are all
bright as bright can be; and, instead of
amusing yourself as any one else
would do, you are here in the only dull
part of the gardens, away from every
one and everything. l need not ask
the nature of your thoughts; one can
read them in your face
Il plead guilty" she responded
That is right" he said. Now will
you having owned your fault, atone
for it? VIII you let me show you the
flowers?"
She looked up brightly.
Yes; l should like that very much"
she acknowledged.
All the gentlemen present will de-
test me, as a matter of course" he
said, "for monopolizing the fairest
flower in the gardens. I shall not
care for that if you will promise to en-
joy yourself. You do not know how l
long to see a smile on your face-a
happy, bright, gratified smile''
They left the green shade, and went
out among the flowers. He had prom
ised to amuse her. and he did so. He
told her the most quaint and charming
stories about flowers; old legends that
he had read in rare books-graceful
stories that pleased her artistic imagi-
nation. He spoke Of the flowers as
though they were living and dear to
him.
ut is strange that soldier should
be so fond Of flowers she said to him.
To be Continued.