Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-18

| twenty, or even thirty, | would not do
! it,
You refuse, them" she said, quietly.
| Sir Leonard moved uneasily in his
chair; he did not like, wher looking
on that beautiful face, to refuse q
prayer.
Il must do SO for your own sake as
well as mine. I cannot leave you
alone, Ethel; and will not"
She was silent for some minutes. the
flush dying from her face. and the
light deepening in hel eyes. A strug-
gle was going on between her pride
and her love for Sir Leonard: then she
turned to him quite calmly.
"Will you tell me. then, what you
propose doing, papa?"
Sir Leonard looked slightly confused
Something in the beautiful face and
proud eyes seemed to agitate him.
81 may as well-nay, had better
speak plainly to you, Ethel The truth
is, the sooner you accustom yourself to
chaperon the better it will be for
you: for am tired Of a single life and
think of marrying again"
The slender figure was drawn to it's
full height, the beautiful face was
flushed with the deepest crimson, the
proud lips wore their most scornful
curve
''You think of marrying again, papa.
Pray, may I ask why?"
THAT is hardly respectful question.
Ethel I have told you my reason.
am tired of single life, and I have
met with a lady who would make me,
7 am sure, most excellent wife"
Am I permitted to ask who the
lady is?" asked Miss Gordon.
Certainly, my dear. I met Miss
Digby last year at the Trexhams-I
met her again at the Davencorts': and,
ii must speak plainly, I fell in love
with her"
The scorn on the lovely lips deep
ened.
Miss Digby has money, I believer"
she interrogated.
yes" replied Sir Leonard, "she has
money-money made by her father in
trade. She lays no claim to high birth
or great connections; but. for all that.
she is lady of great accomplishments
and refinement"
'fYou would choose a tradesman's
daughter to take my mothers place."
asked Ethel, with quivering lips.
"You must speak respectfully of the
lady T hope to make my wife" re-
turned Sir Leonard, sternlv
do you expect me. Lady Angela's
daughter. one of the Gordons of Foun-
tayne, to obey such a persona" in
quired Ethel, proudly
81 expect you to obey me. I also am
Gordon of Fountayne, and my will is
stronger than yours. I have asked
Miss Digby to be my wife, and she has
consented"
A low cry escaped Ethel's lips, but
she made no comment Sir Leonard
continued:
"The same obstacles that prevented
my taking you to Austria forbid me to
take wife there; therefore I have ar
ranged with Miss Digby to postpone
cur marriage until my return. You un-
derstand that. Ethel?"
Eyes I understand perfectly" was
the quiet reply
Sir Leonard looked relieved. He felt
that the worst part of the revelation
was over
Miss Digby, to oblige me, has con-
scented TO another arrangement" Sir
Leonard resumed perhaps that will
not please you. She is going to spend
few weeks, perhaps months, at ST.
Ina's Bay. She has invited you to go
with her, and l should like it to be So
Then she has promised to remain with
you at Fountayne until [ return
The girls face grew white with an
ger, her eyes seemed to flash fire.
Il will not submit to such an ar
rangement, she said. haughtily. "You
are treating me as child. Papa, you
forget that l am woman"
Sir Leonard laughed
Not quite, Ethel You are seven
teen, and 1 admit that you are tall for
your age; hut girls of seventeen are
not women"
for so long, do you think. papa, I can
submit to the rule Of a stranger?"
Il think you have sense enough to
see that you can only submit" said Sir
Lenoard. 4 love Miss Digby; but it
is quite as much for your sake as for
my own that I wish to marry"
why for your sake?" asked Ethel,
briefly.
MY dear child, you will ask ques-
lions the answers to which simply dis
please you. Because you have grave
faults, and require the gentle training
and the wise guidance of a good wo-
man"
To be Continued.