Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-01
CHAPTER ".

MISS DdNEuCOuII anu ELuCl W di1oSi CN
from the lawn to the rose-garden, and
there they were content to sit. Ethel
watched the opening blooms with a
far-Off look in her beautiful eyes; the
glory of white and of crimson, the deep
glow of the damask, were lost upon
her. Laura, in her turn, watched the
proud, perfect face until she felt COM
| PEELED to speak.
will you tell me Of what you are
thinking, Miss Gordon?" she asked.
"Your eyes are fixed upon the roses,
but you do not see them. What are
you thinking about that engrosses you
so entirely?"
A smile came slowly to the beautiful
| lips.
Il am thinking" replied Ethel, "of
| Miss Digby. I do not like her"
yet she is very much loved and
| liked. She is popular among all kinds
of people"
81 have theory of my own" con-
tinued Ethel, in musing voice, "and
I am a great believer in it.
perhaps you will enIighten me-"
said Laura.
EthePs frank eyes fingered for one
minute on her companions pretty face.
81 am not quite sure" she said,
whether you would understand it,
II will do my BEST" was the reply
Tell me what your theory is"
"I believe " said Ethel, that souls
recognize each other as bodies do
For instance, [ meet a stranger, my
eyes see his features, note the shape
of his face, the color of his eyes, his
height, the fashion of his build; so
believe also that souls see each other,
recognize each other take cognizance
of each others defects and virtues. My
eyes saw Miss Digby's face, and did
not like it; my soul saw Miss Digby's
soul, and did not like it either. What
do you think of my theory, Miss DAY.
encourt?"
perhaps it accounts for The likes
and dislkes we form without in the
least knowing why" replied Laura.
"But you are prejudiced against Miss
| Digby; she is kind, amiable, and self
sacrificing"
II understand her quite as well as
though I had known her for years"
said Ethel. "She is one of those who
model life after a certain fashion, and
never alter that fashion; she would
! think it wrong to act upon impulse,
whereas I like impulse. I should i'm
| l. IO DIFF
| forcrt. shall never like her"
THAT is unfortunate" replied Laura,
| quietly. Sir LeOnard's arrangement
is no secret from us. He told mamma
that he hoped to marry Miss Digby on
his return from AUSTRIA and that
in the meantime you were to stay with
| her"
Ethels beautiful face grew white
even to the lips, while her slender
fingers played nervous1y with the Grim
son leaves of a damask rose.
So it was known already that her
! father contemplated a second mar
riage; every one knew that she, Ethel
Gordon, was to reign no longer, but
must submit to the sway of a stranger
| She literally could not endure the
thought, but rose hastily from her seat,
"These roses are OyerpoWering," she
said; come away. please. I have no
wish to discuss Miss Digby," and she
walked down the gravel path.
1--WE had better rejoin mamma" said
| Miss Davencourt; Fshe is alone. Sir
Leonard is talking to Miss Digby.
Where is she going? forgot the name
of the place"
''To ST. Inas Bay" she replied.
We were speaking of you last even
ing" continued Miss Davencourt. at
will be hard for you to give up the au-
thority you have held so long"
There was a shade of malice in the
smile which accompanied these words
and Ethel detected it. All the pride OF
the Gordons flashed in her face. Nc
matter what she suffered the world
must not know it. No man or woman
living must be able to laugh because
Ethel Gordon was deposed from hel
sovereignty. She resolutely conquered
herself.
ain llOL SUI oAS ISIuIu6u.
shall be able to tell you more wher
the experiment has been tried"
Laura Davencourt looked up in sur
prise. She had expected the youns
girl to reply dolefully, but her voice
was clear. soft, and gay.
Laura professed to like Miss Gordon
vet more than once she had felt iealou!
of the beautiful Ethel, and rather en-
joyed the prospect of seeing her de
posed. But Ethel would not allow thi
girl to triumph over her.
Miss Digby resolved that no effor
should be wanting on her part to viii
Ethels affection. She could under
| stand the girl petulance at her disap
pointment, and resolved to bear pa
stiently with it. She said to hersel
5 that she would never resent it, tina
she would never reply to EtheIs bite
little speeches, but would do her bes
I to win her by gentleness, by affectio
. and kindness.
: When the two young girls appeare
e Ethel, with proud, naughty cal
: riage, and calm, almost scornful face
), Laura, flushed and somewhat discon
Il fited-she wondered greatly. Resolve
n to put her quite at her ease, Miss Digb
5. went up to her.
It Have you been admiring th
roses?" she asked. They are consit
: cred very fine"
k The proud eyes looked her through
It the proud lips opened slightly. an
then Miss Gordon made co,,o I,,1e ::