Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-22
@ggElglglG9[5I9l@l@I OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
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! Rcpented at Leisure. !
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BERTHA M. CLAY. 1
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BERTHA M. CLAY.
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bled sheet of heaving, restless, gilt
tering gold.
On the lawn of the hotel the visitors
were standing or sitting in little
groups-some watching the shining
sea, other despite the beauty Of earth
and sky, deeply engrossed in books,
others in conversation. Miss Digby
was with Lady Station. They were
watching the waves, and Ethel sat
near them-the fairest picture on
which the bright sun shone. The
evening was warm, and she wore a
white dress of some shining material,
richly trimmed with gold fringe-a
fantastic dress; but Ethel was an artist
in dress as in everything else. The
dress was fastened round the slender
waist by a gold band, and fell in
graceful folds to the pretty feet. The
square-cut bodice gave glimpse of a
beautiful neck, white and we'll nodded;
| a red nose nestled close to it. The
luxuriant waves Of rich brown hair
were loosely arranged-they were
gathered back from the fair brow, and
fastened with golden arrow; a rose
lay in their sunny depths. No fairer
picture was ever conceived by an artist
or set forth by poet.
Ethel was not joining in the CONVEX
sation; her eyes fingered on the gold
en-, glittering sea. She was wishing
that she was far away over the rest
| less waters-that she was in any other
place, and with any other people.
Those who passed near her wondered
at the listless expression of the beau
tiful young face. Her folded hands lay
still But for the, faint stir in the
leaves of the red rose, as it rose and
| fell with each breath, one might fancy
| her sleeping.
Little did she imagine that she was
| keenly watched by a pair of dark eyes
that belonged to a handsome, debonair
| face That same evening had brought
stranger to the Queens Hotel, who
wrote his name as Laurie Nugent
| Esq, and who seemed to have a we'll
| filed purse, and was on that account
made very welcome by the manager
and his satellites. Mr.. Nugent had de-
clined to enter the larger dining-room
but he had ordered a recherche little
repast to be served to him in his own
room. Then he asked to look at the
visitors book; and the manager, with
low bow, showed it to him
shall you have many more guests
this season, do you think?" asked Mr.
Nugent, with a careless smile.
No, the manager feared not They
had been pretty fortunate in May; il
June they had had very few; July
still fewer; and it was seldom tina
any one came in August A satisfied
expression came over the handsome
face.
81 think it very probable" said Mr.
Nugent, that, if I like the place,
may remain here for some little time.
The manager was pleased to hear it
paid great attention to the wines Sc
lected for the strangers dinner, AM
told him how pleasantly the evening"
could be spent in the grounds
Mr. Nugent went thither he looked
indifferently on the clear waters anC
blue sky, but sudden fire flashed il
his eyes as they fell upon the feature
of Ethel Gordon sitting under tn,
lime-trees
What beautiful girl" he though
to himself who is she?"
He stood still, and watched her Will
charmed eyes. He noted the prou(
carriage of her rich brown head. thu
superb beauty of the girlish face. tn,
grace and symmetry of the perfect fig
ure.
who is she?" he repeated. "Ant
what can she be doing here?"
Still watching her intently, he noted
how Indifferent she was to everythins
around her-how motionless she sat
her eyes never for one moment leavins
the great expanse of water. He noted
the tired, listless expression on the ex.
full eyes.
"She is not happy" he said to him
self. IF she were-if her eyes were
lighted up and her lips smiled-she
would be simply irresistible. What
can make her look so sad? At her age
she ought to be all smiles and
bushes"
Once he saw the two ladies near her
address her. She raised her eyes. but
no light came into them, and when she
replied to the question asked, they
turned again toward the lake.
''ThnCo hor, fr;o a.
not like them-she is not happy with
them" was his second comment.
Then he watched her again, until the
evening began to close around them.
and the three ladies went in
L shall never rest until know who
she is and all about her" he said to
himself II hardly like to own such a
thing-I. who have seen some of the
loveliest girls in England. and cared
for none of them-but I believe. hon
estly, am in love at last"
He laughed to himself, and, though
the mouth was handsome, the laugh
was not pleasant to hear.
1t would be strange thing" he
unused, and shows the expediency of
taking fortune at the right turn
Mr.. Nugent remained in the grounds
until the dew fell on the grass and
flowers, and then he went slowly in
doors. A handsome fee. that bright
ened the walters face. ana few dis
Greet questions, so adroitly asked that
they seemed perfectly innocent, OBJ
tanned for him all the information that
he required
Ut hal Gordon, :, IL, :.