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

| never know the luxury of having a
sovereign to spare. My father, who
succeeded to rich inheritance, spent
all he could. He gambled, played, bet
heavily, bought extravagant
ruined himself, Ethel, and consequent
ly ruined me. When | succeeded to
Fountayne, it was one Of the poorest
estates in England. our mother Lady
Angela, brought with her good for
tune, and that helped me; indeed, but
for that l must have sold the Hall.
Your mothers fortune cleared off the
heavy mortgages; still, it has been diff
ficult to live. Now this offer of the
Austrian ambassador comes in the
very hour of need. l wanted few
thousand pounds, and, if go. they will
be mine"
sit is an inducement, certainly" she
said, gravely.
"a very great fnducement," he
agreed. For the first time in my life
I shall be quite at ease as to money
matters-Heaven grant you may never
know what that implies. Etheli-and
the advantages in other ways will be
great"
''Why not, then, decide at once upon
accepting the offer, papa?"
Because the decision rests with you.
cannot quit home for two years and
leave you alone, unprotected. uncared
for: it is out of the question"
There never was a Gordon yet in
capable of taking care of himself or
herself" said the girl proudly
Sir Leonard laughed and shook his
head
"YOu are only just seventeen, and
that is no age for ripe judgment. You
are too young to be left in charge of
large house like Fountayne You have
not had experience enough
She went up to him and laid both
hands on his shoulders, gazing straight
into his face
"Now. papa, look at me: tell me the
truth. Who really governs the house
now?"
Sir Leonard's face flushed; he
laughed uneasily.
eff you insist upon the truth, there
can be no doubt, Ethel, that you rule
the house and every one in it; but you
must remember that I am here to take
all responsibility from you"
THAT which I am old enough to do
in your presence I can surely do in
your absence" she said, proudly.
That is the very point on which we
disagree" returned Sir Leonard; land
on that point my decision rests. We
will argue the matter fairly, Ethel, and
you will see that I am right. In the
eyes of the world" continued Sir Leon
ard, Il should be greatly to blame if I
went away leaving a girl so young as
you, Ethel, to manage a large house
above all, if left you without chap
eron of any kind
"a chaperon!" repeated his daugh-
ter, cOntemptuously "Of what posi-
BILE use would a chaperon be to me?"
"She would keep you out of all
danger; young girls are easily imposed
upon. She would teach you to fulfill
the duties of your station in a proper
manner. In fact. Ethel it is useless to
argue the question; you cannot posi-
bly, do without one. You would lose
caste in the eyes of the world, and
would be certain to get into mischief"
eff I ever forgot myself so far as to
feel an inclination for mischief, no
amount of chaperonage would keep me
from it," said Miss, Gordon, proudly.
81 am too old to be taught to obey a
stranger
MY dearest Ethel, how proud you
are. I fear that some great sorrow
some great and terrible pain-will be
your pOrtion-will be sent to break the
pride, the unbending spirit that moth
ing seems to move"
"All the Gordons are proud. papa
Why blame me for having one of the
characteristics of my race?'
"Submissiveness and gentlepess,
Ethel, form a woman's diadem.'
ga very poor one" objected Ethel
Nov papa, be reasonable Give I'D
this absurd notion of a chaperon: go
to Austria-that is a magnificent offer
one you should not refuse Leave me
here at Fountayne; I shall have a staid
old housekeeper and faithful servants:
what more can I need?"
"My dear Ethel. what would the
world say if left a girl of seventeen
alone in that fashion,"
"I do not care for the world" re-
torted the girl. 81 care about pleasing
myself
"You cannot run counter to the opin-
ion of the world, Ethel; at your age
the idea is absurd. You must submit
to the memorable laws of custom and
etiquette"
Sir Leonard spoke angrily, with faae
flushed and darkening eyes. Both
father and daughter were growing ter
ribly earnest.
What if I refuse to have anything
to do with chaperon? Papa if re-
fuse to obey one. what them" asked
Ethel
| I'm that case l should most certainly
| refuse the offer" said Sir Leonard. Il
should write to the ambassador and de-
cline, But. Ethel. you will surely take
/ my disappointed, blighted face into
consideration before you do that?"
The girl was silent for sore minutes:
then turning to him. her beautiful face
all flushed and eager, she said, per-
suasively:
Let me make one more appeal to
you, papa Go to Austria and leave me
here. I will be prudence itself: I will
| surpass discretion in all l do or say:
| will promise you that no stranger