Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-29
Continued,


pers to be taken into one Of the pretty
little arbOrs that were dotted over the
grounds He had been dreaming of
Ethel all night, thinking of her ever
since the morning sun had begun to
shine, and he felt unable and unwilling
to speak TO others until he had looked
upon her. He knew that she would be
out soon. On these warm, beautiful
days the visitors a the hotel cared lit
tie for being within doors.
He opened the paper-there was but
little news Once or twice he laid it
down, for between him and the printed
page the face of Ethel Gordon seemed
to float.
How she has bewitched me-" he
said to himself.
He Laid the paper aside, and then
took it up again Suddenly the smile
died from his lips, and a liyid palior
not pleasant to behold, came over his
face. There was a small paragraph of
five or six lines which seemed to fas-
einate him. He read and re-read it.
lit cannot be true, he said TO him
self 1t was a ruse to satisfy people
OF course the police must say some
thing, or the public would lose all faith
in them. 1t cannot be true They
know nothing about it,
He laid the paper down again, but
the hands that raised the cup to his lips
trembled SO that he could hardly hold
It,
Good Heaven, if it should be true!"
he cried. And am wasting time here!
! ought to leave this very day, this
very hour; but cannot would just
as soon die as leave my love. j must
take her with me-"
There was no more quiet reading for
him that morning. 1t seemed to him
that he had hardly time to think. The
ladies came out, and Miss Digby sent
to him for the Times 1t was strange
how he hesitated about giving it to
her His face flushed, and then grew
pale.
Il cannot tear it out" he said. "Tney
might think it strange. How foolish |
am! What can they know Of it,"
Yet, after a time when he saw the
paper open in EthePs hand, he rose
from his seat with a suppressed cry
but with an effort he again controlled
himself, and then walked away from
the spot. Lady Station, meeting him
sometime afterward, said
You do not look we'll this morning,
Mr.. Nugent"
He murmured 4 few words She saw
how his lips trembled, and she passed
on. while Laurie Nugent sought the
silent depth of the wood, there to think
at mis- ease. He seated himself on the
grass
In the first place. he unused, is it
true? | do not believe it. If there be
only the least foundation for such d
rumor, | ought to fly at once, without
an hours delay Can I go? Can
leave the girl ! love better than my
life? thousand times, not | cannot
feave her. If | go, she must go with
me And how can that be accom-
plished?"
The old doubt returned to him; did
she really love him or was it gratifiad
vanity and love Of rule? Never mind.
1t mattered little to him. He loved her,
and every desire of his heart was cen
tered in her. He had sworn to win her,
and he would keep his vow She
you'd love him in time
II must go, and | must take her wi h
me he repeated.
For some time he sat absorbed in
thought, his face grave and anxious.
suddenly light came over it, anu
laurie Nugent sprang from his sea,
with Il cry.
II have founu it! can manage IL
If | make good use of Miss Dlgby. 1
may win the day"
50 careless, so volatile. so debonair
was he that as he sat an idle strain OF
song came from his lips He had
solved the problem; he saw his way
clear to persuade Ethel TO go away with
aim. What now cared he?
Il must make Miss Digby more use
ful than ever she has been in her life -
he said. She must be the decoy. I
wonder if my love will eonsent?"
Yet, during the remainder of that
day, Laurie Nugent was strangely ner-
Vous. If any one entered the hotel sud
denly, he would start and grow pale.
he asked more than once if there were
any new arrivals, and seemed greatly
relieved when he was told NO
Nor will there be-" said the man
ager, ''at this time of the year. st. Inas
rs quite out of the beaten track"
look of wonderful relief came over
Mr.. Nugnet's face.
You really consider it quite out OF
the beaten track?" he questioned.
1t is the least freQuented spot in
England" was the reply, although ]
think it is one CO the prettiest."
Then the manager left his guest tc
his own meditations.
Il must see Ethel tonight" he said;
and then, if she will consent. tomor.
row | will go over to Holmleigh Thi:
IS the nearest place. I will make al
arrangements there. This is Tuesday;
If she consents at all, she will agree
for Thursday"
He wrote on a slip of paper:
Il want to see you so particularly
Ethel, my dear love, that I am Obliged
to ask you to come out for a few min
utes this evening. Do not be later thar
nine and come to the 1ima-orova