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

Ethel. She is the proudest girl L
know, and nothing will ever make her
less proud
Il should have imagined that she
would resent instantly any attempt at
setting her authority aside" observed |
Laura.
Miss Digby said nothing, but |
thought deeply. She would almost
have been better pleased if the young
girl had shown some little resentment
If she had been angry or contemptu-
Gus; anything would have been better
than this polished indifference, this
nonchalant calm. Helen Digby never
doubted in her own mind but that 1t
covered the raging of tempest.
Once, when Sir Leonard tried to re-
vive the vexed topic, Ethel, looking at
him, quietly said:
Eve had better not discuss the
question, papa. What must be must
be; nothing further need be said about
it. l find that words are very use
less, after all"
After that Sir Leonard said no more.
June came round with its warmth,
its sweetness of perfume, its bloom Of
roses, and brightness Of sun.
One morning, quite unexpectedly,
Sir Leonard received a telegram. The
government business had been hasten
ed, and he was to leave on the morrow
for Austria.
Ethel" he said, there is news that
did not expect. I must leave you to-
morrow"
The next moment he wished he had
broken the news more gently to her,
for her face grew white even to the
very lips.
Tomorrow" she repeated. I'VE
have never been parted before; it is
very sudden"
Il am very sorry" said Sir Leonard.
Il wished to take you myself to st.
mas; that will not be possible now.
should have left you more happily if
I had seen you safely there"
Ethel had recovered her calmness,
but the color did not return to her
| face.
perhaps it is better as it is, papa.
I shall leave my old home and you at
the same time. Life will never be the
same again for me-"
ct will be happier, my darling" he
interrupted; and she, remembering
how soon they were to be parted, re-
pressed the quick retort that rose to
her lips.
How she suffered during the re-
mainder of that day no one ever
guessed; the love, the pride, the sor-
row that warred in her soul-the
struggle between her love for her
father, her grief at losing him, and
the angry pride that forbade any eX-
preston of either love or grief-her
hatred of the fair-faced, gentle lady
who was to take her dead mother
place-her natural sorrow and re-
luctance at parting with her old home
and laying down the crown she had
worn so long-all rushed over her at
once.
She had a long and bitter sorrow be-
fore her. She had to carry burden
that would have broken the heart of
her from which the strongest heart
might have shrunk in sorrow and dis
may.
But in that sad after-life there was,
perhaps, no day except one in which
she suffered so terribly as she did
now.
Sir Leonard was busily occupied; he
had arrangements to make with his
lawyer and his steward. The house
hold was to be kept on as usual-none
of the servants were to be parted with
The housekeeper was left in authority
during the summer months, and the
servants were told that in the autumn
Miss Digby would return with Miss
Gordon, and that from that time all
authority must be considered as vested
| in the formers hands. There was
some little murmuring-some little
demur-but no one dared to utter a
word
1t was evening when Sir Leonard
rode away to Chantrey Court.
L shall make all arrangements for
you, Ethel" he said; "and I have no
doubt Miss Digby will wish you to join
her tomorrow"
She raised her colorless face to his
do not think of me, papa" she
entreated; think only of yourself
He kissed the sweet, pale face.
My darling Ethel" he said, 81 did
not know how dearly loved you until
now. I thank Heaven that I can leave
you in such excellent care"
She made no reply.
To Be Continued.