Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-07
Continued.

his coming. He was accustomed to see
young girls look fattered by his no
tice, while others appeared anxious to
attract it; he was accustomed to hon.
age and Difference, but at Ethels hands
he met simply with Indifference.
She was standing alone when he first
saw her, and he thought her attitude
one of marvellous grace. She had I'M
plored Lord St. Norman to allow her
TO refuse this invitation, but he would
not hear of it.
You have been TO a great variety OF
entertainments, Ethel" he said. but
you have never been to a fancy ball.
You must go, my dear. I hear that
the Prince and Princess E[1i@.adt and
the young Duke Of Southmead are to be
present.
She turned away sick at heart. Her
place was not with princes; she who
had married in such secrecy and such
haste-s she was the wife of felon
Lord ST Norman had insisted that
she should choose some fancy costume.
He had suggested many-those Of
queens, heroines, and beauties-bur
she would wear none of them.
1t was Helen who, with her quick in
stinct, saw that Ethel shrank from dis
play
Go as Night, " she suggested;
that will require only a plain dress of
silver and black" to which Ethel con
scented.
But when she saw herself in the tall |
mirror, she thought that no costume |
could have heightened her loveIiness |
more maryelously; and Lord St. Nor
man smiled as he thought how well his |
wife had chosen
The dress of black net was dotted |
with silver stars; the dark, dusky folds |
fell in the most artistic fashion. Ethel's |
rich brown hair lay in clustering
masses on her white, graceful neck; it
was Wreathed with small silver stars.
The beautiful face seemed to rise
from the dark dress like some lovely
flower from its stem; the white neck, !
the rounded arms. and beautiful shout
ders had never looked more fair than
they did now, shining from the cloud
OF black Lord ST. Norman smiled
when he saw her
If you did not wish to attract no
tice, ETHEL" he said, you should have
chosen a different costume
TO himself he added that, let her
have chosen what she might, she would
still be more beautiful than any one
else
The splendor of the scene that soon
afterWard met her eyes might have de-
lighted her if she could for one moment
have forgotten her terrible secret her
terrible care 1t went with her, and.
while the nOblest and greatest in the
land bowed before her. it Swallowed
her, this secret that was slowly and
surely eating her heart away
Lady Cranes rooms were filled with
most brilliant crowd; the elite of the
fashionable world were present. There
WAS a variety of costumes-those
OF kings, queens, FAIRIES, friars, peas
ants. heroines of story and of song
but all paled before that of the girl who
h-J chosen to appear as Might"
She was soon surrounded; that love
ly face Of hers had a terrible influence
over men. There were heart burnings
and jealousy. More than one present
would have given much for a smile from
her lips
She danced first with Prince HoI-
stadt when he had left her. she stood
for some minutes talking to Helen, and
il was then the Duke of Southmead
saw her.
She was standing by the scarlet bios
SONS of one of the rare plants with
which the ballroom was half filled,
her dark dress, with silver stars fall |
Ing in graceful folds round her tall, |
statuesque figure; her lovely face was
bent over the scarlet flowers.
He looked at her in wonder and as
he so looked his heart went out to her
He was not accustomed to wait when
he wished for anything, and he said TO |
himself that he must gain an introduce
tion to the beautiful girl-that the |
sweet eyes must smile on him, the fair |
face brighten for him. He went at |
once to Lady Crane.
Who is that tall, beautiful girl with |
the sad, sweet face?" he asked.
Lady Crane looked up with a smile
There are so many tall, beautiful |
girls. she replied, laughingly |
Which one does your grace mean?"
Il see none like her, standing there |
Do YOU see, Lady Crane? She is near
the crimson bank of flowers; her dress
IS dark, with silver stars"
Lady Crane looked in the direction
ne indicated, and then she smiled.
rs it possible?" she asked. that you
do not know Miss St. Norman? II
should have imagined every one in
London knew her. She is the beauty
of the season"
Il have heard of her" said the young
duke, slowly, but | never imagined
she was one-half so lovely. Will you
introduce me, Lady Crane?"
Ethel hardly raised her eyes when
the observed of all observers. the
young duke, stood before her
He was piqued by her indifference,
and vowed to himself that it should all
FOE dispelled before the warmth of his
love, mist by the heat of the sun.
AS she walked away, leaving them
together, Lady Crane said to herself:
! l.