Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-02
BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
lRIETTlTzlTEU ETzIGIGlFElGIElgTE

name Of John Smith," replied Lord
Leighton; and l think the prejudice
against the name of Smith a very I'M
just one
A discussion then arose over names.
and the keeper who spoke French ana
German was forgotten.
The morrow rose bright and beauti-
full, a summer day without a cloud;
the wind was sweet, soft, and fragrant.
The deep shade Of the woods will be
cool and pleasant today said Lady
Leighton; and her visitors agreed with
he.
Some of the ladies took books,
others took fancy-work, and it was
settled that the party should spend
the whole day in the woods, but should
meet at the waterfall for luncheon at
tWt.
On this warm, bright summer day
there were no gorgeous toilets; the
ladies were content with dresses Of
muslin. Ethel wore one Of blue, with
pretty white lace mantilla, and hat
with a white dropping plume; and
Lady st Norman, as she looked at her,
thought she had never appeared more
lovely; her queenly grace, her eX-
quisite beauty, her royal dignity of
manner all showed on that day to the
| greatest advantage.
ETHEL said Lady st. Norman, TRY
to enjoy yourself today. I wish that l
could put a little of this sunshine into
your heart"
But Ethel only stopped and kissed
the kindly, anxious face.
s'The sunshine would be Of no use to
me- she thought MY sun has set
At the large gates that led to the
woods they were met by the keeper-a
| tall, handsome man, whose eyes were
keen and blue; his features could
hardly be distinguished because of his
broad-brimmed hat and long mustache
and beard, and thick, curly hair. He
DOTTED his hat with an air of good
breeding not lost upon the ladies. He
spoke, and his voice was pleasant, his
accent good; his figure superior to his
position. He stood in silence while
Lord Leighton discussed where they
SnOulQ go HTSC.
Let us see We will visit LEIGH
toms Folly first" he said; that is tbs
ruin of a picturesque old dover house
built in the Italian style, by one of the
ladies of Leighton, many years ago.
They went A group of ladies stood
round the rim of fountain when thu
keeper first caught glimpse of Ethel
She was standing under the shade Of !
large cOpper-beech, and the light like
that of FURNISHED gold fell over her
fell on the beautiful, sad face, the
cloud-like dress, and the rich, ripping
masses of brown hair.
As he looked, his handsome face first
flushed deepest crimson, and then grew
pale as death. He muttered something
to himself-some strange wOrds-anc
the keys that he held in his hand fell
to the ground. He stopped to raise
them, and then withdrew that he
might watch the beautiful face more
closely.
"It cannot be Ethel" he said to him,
self ct cannot be she. Great
Heaven, am 1 mad or dreaming? Shall
| wake up and find myself at st. Ina's
and all that black, horrible time only
dream-only a dream? All, if ii
could but be 500 1t cannot be she"
! Ethel moved as he watched her, and
a sharp, keen pain shot through his
heart.
1T is Ethel. I know that smile that
graceful bend of the neck that curve of
the sweet proud lips. 1t is she; it Is
Ethel-my wife-my wife,
He turned aside-that strong, power
full man-with eyes dimmed with tears.
Il have found her at last" he said to
himself. Ethel, Ethel-my wife!"