Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-01
CHAPTER X.
Ethel Meets Her Admirer.

main IHuOOIo, anu CHc ocd-Dl GSLS W d.
fresh enough TO moderate the heat OF
the sun The aromatic odOr from the
pine woods mingled with the fragrance
OF the lily and the rose; the bright
winged butterflies and hOney-bees HOY
cred round The mowers. All nature
seemed languld in the great warmth;
the leaves or the trees never stirred,
the flowers were still.
The ladies had brought out their
books and fancywOrk; they were Sit
ting under the trees where the sea-
breeze could reach them. Miss Digby
and Lady Station were each
busily and happily engaged IN
the making OF some beautl-
full and delicate point-lace; Ethel had
brought out a volume of poems, but
she did not read muCh-her attention
was fixed on the various groups She
saw no one among them, however,
who would be likely to send her
flowers.
Presently a little dog belonging to
one of the ladies ran barking up to
Miss Digby and dIsarranged her work.
She had a nervous fear of dogs, and
uttered a little cry of dismay when
she saw it, The next moment a shad-
Nv fell between her and the sunshine,
Id a steady, strong hand drew the
dog away. Looking up, Miss Digby
saw a tall, handsome man, who smiled
as he bowed.
Il trust you are not frightened,
MADAME" he said Dogs should not
be allowed to go unmuzzled these fear
fully hot days"
Lady Station smiled; Miss Digby
looked slightly confused.
Il ought to be ashamed to confess
it," she said, but | am very much
afraid of them"
The newcomer should then, per-
maps, have left them, but he seemed
disposed to linger; and in this pleas
ant outdoor hotel life Lady Station
did not think it needful to observe the
strict laws of etiquette. The trio fell
into pleasant conversation, the
stranger speaking principally Of St.
Ina's Bay. Miss Digby agreed with
much that he said, and during all
the time he never once looked at Ethel.
He never looked at her, but he was
conscious of her every movement. He
knew that the bright, proud eyes Were
looking at him-he knew that the
beautiful face was turned to him, but
ne assumed the most profound uncon-
sciousness.
Are you staying here for any timer
ne asked Miss Digby,
Yes, she replied; I'VE shall remain
until the end of autumn"
1T seems to be a very quiet place, ;"
ne remarked. Il can hardly imagine
any one staying here except in search
Of health"
Lady Station smiled.
Il hope that you are not in search
of health" she said.
The handsome, debonair face flushed
family.
Il am indeed" he confessed Il
have been overstudying, and my doc
tor recommended me to take a few
weeks entire rest. He also recon-
mended a quiet place, so l chose St.
mas Bay"
You could not have done better, -
said Miss Digby; and then she smiled,
for the strangers eyes were fixed on
her with such a wistful expression
that she could almost guess what
was coming.
IF you would not think me very in
trusiye," said the stranger, Il should
like to ask permission to introduce
myself | have been so very lonely
during the last few days that | should
esteem it the greatest honor and the
greatest pleasure to be allowed to have
the privilege of speaking to you some
Iimes. My name is Laurie Nugent
Lady Station. have had the pleasure
Of seeing you in London at Lady Del
maine's"
1t was quite random shot-Mr. MI
gent knew that Lady Delamaine was a
great leader Of fashion, but he had
never entered her house-yet it quite
satisfied Lady Station.
You know Lady Delamaine?" she
said She is my dearest friend. Are
you one of the Nugents of Flintshire?'
Il am related to them he replied,
but | have not seen much of them. "
1t was so carelessly said that the i'm
preston left on his hearers was that
he considered himself socially the SUI
perior of the Nugents of Flintshire.
Then Lady Station asked him many
questions concerning people in Lon
don whom she supposed him-as a
friend of Lady Delamaine's-to know,
all of which he answered with adroit-
ness and self-possession. His pleas
ant small-talk amused them. and the
bright, sunny morning seemed the
brighter to Ethel for his being there.
Still he had never looked at her: but
being secure, he thought he might ven
ture to steal one glance at her.
He met the most beautiful and
frankest eyes that he had ever seen;
they were looking intently at him. the
golden light in their rich depths deep
ening as she looked He thought il
wiser on that occasion to restrict his
attentions to the elder ladies.
If spoke to her now" he tn ught
they would suspect that I had taker
all this trouble for her sake"
One glance of admiration, full of fire
full of passion, seemed to flash from
his eyes to hers, He saw her face
grow crimson, and then he dared no
trust himself to look again. But tina
one glance had sufficed to trouble tn,
calm, still depths of Ethel's youns
heart
Suddenly an idea dashed across he