Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-22
Continued

chosen it because her most intimate
friend Lady Station, was staying
there.
To those who cared only for beau
tiful sea, picturesque scenery, pure,
bracing air, and quiet, it was the finest
spot in England. Those who wished
for society would find none there.
The rooms were large and lofty, the
corridors broad and light; the hotel,
as a whole, was quiet and peaceful as
any gentleman's house. Ethel could
not help liking the aspect of the place,
although the silence and loneliness
somewhat dismayed her.
81 thought" she said to Miss Digby,
chat hotels were always full of peo-
pie; this seems quite empty"
eft was for that reason I selected it,
replied the elder lady. ri have been
here several times, and have enjoyed
as much privacy as though I had been
in my own home. I hope you will not
dislike the quiet, Ethel"
cit is a matter Of little moment to
me-all places are alike" returned
Miss Gordon.
Yet, after a few days, she found the
life not unpleasant Miss Digby left
her very much to her own devices.
She had wished, at first, that they
should have the same rooms, but
Ethels manner convinced her how I'M
pleasant she would consider such an
arrangement so, separate suites were
ordered-one for Miss Gordon, and one
were close to those occupied by Lady
Station
It was not an unpleasant life, but
coming there at all was a mistake.
Ethel was young; she had been accus-
toned to a life of constant activity,
to plenty of society, to the occupation
and excitement always attending the
management of large house; now she
had nothing to fall back upon, nothing
to distract her thoughts, nothing to do
but muse by night and by day on the
injury she imagined Helen Digby to
have done to her.
1t was hardly the life to have chosen
for young, beautiful, gifted, imagin
alive girl; for once clear, calm-judg-
ing Helen Digby had made mistake.
She would have done far better to
take Ethel to some seaside resort,
where the world would have reused
her from her morbid thoughts, and
have restored to her her gayety, her
animation. and high spirits.
For the first time in her life Ethel
Gordon found herself alone; for She
10Th
much as possible. She had been ac-
cushioned to the homage and attention
of large household, to the tender love
of a father who never neglected her;
now she was alone, with strange faces
around her, strange voices in her ear.
She had been accustomed to be first,
everything and every one had depend
ed on her; now it was otherwise She
had no power and no influence. No
one consulted her; her opinion was
never sought.
Lady Station had given Helen Digby
what she considered sound advice.
Il see exactly how matters stand
she said, and my counsel to you is,
leave the young girl alone. With a
naughty disposition like hers, the best
way is to treat her with kindly indif-
ference The time will come when
she will seek you, not you her.
And Helen. hoping it would be for
the best, watched the beautiful face
in silence, looking day by day for some
little mark of affection, but never re-
ceiving it, hoping that all would end
we'll, yet turning away with shudder-
ing dread lest evil might follow
1t was something like hatred that
ethel felt for the lady who was to
Take ner place. 1t was hard enough to
lose her father to be away from Foun-
tayne; but it was harder still to know
that when he returned he would be-
long to some one else-that he would
give all the love, the care, the thought
that she had valued so highly. to
another.
II something would but happen to
prevent the marriage, Yet she wished
no particular harm to Miss Digby. If
by raising her finger she could have
injured her, she would not for worlds
have done so; but she longed for
something to happen-something that
should lower Miss Digby in her
fathers estimation-that should make
MIN think less highly of her prudence
and her discretion
Self-engrossed as the visitors at the
hotel We're, they could not fail to no.
tice the beautiful. wistful face of the
girl, with jts listIess, weary expression.
She appeared so young-she was only
just seventeen-yet her features had a
tired look IS though she had not
found life very bright.
The sweet summer days glided on.
Ethel and Miss Digby met always at
breakfast which was served in the
ladies room. At first Helen Digby had
made an effort to spend the days with
her young charge. ethel would not
have il so; She would either retreat to
her own pretty sitting-room. or say
distinctly that she was going out and
wished to be alone
If the place had been more frequent
ed, Miss Digby would never have al
lowed the young girl to fall in the
habit Of wandering alone: but as Lady
Station said, and Miss Dighy agreed
with her. Ethel might walk about the |
cliffs for years in st. Ina's and not
meet any one: there could be no
danger, and it pleased her, so Miss |
Dighy did not interfere
CuApTFp "