Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-10-04
Continued.

be predjudiced, Miss Beaton In every
class of society you will find black
sheep. Do you think it is fair to be
harder On the aristocrat who cheats at
cards or FORCES his neighbours name
than on the man who kicks his wife
to death? Every class has it's own
peculiar sins"
You shall defend the aristOcracy, if
you like" she said, with a smile; but
l shall not like you any the better for
it. I hope that all my life long | shall
steer clear OF them"
II hope you viii not" was the young
lords thought Aloud he said; then,
if a scion of nobility came wooing you,
Miss Beaton, it would be all in vain?'
ct would indeed" she replied.
Not that any stray duke or earl is
likely to make his way to st. Byno's."
COR even a stray barOnet?" he added
mo- St Bynos is hardly the place
to attract such people. If ever I mar
ry which is very doubtful should
like to marry an honest, Industrious
man Of my own class"
what do you call your own class,
Miss Beaton?" he asked.
professional" she replied, careless
ly My father was a DOCTOR"
Il am exceedingly glad that I am a
professional" he replied, feeling very
much ashamed of his evasion but he
would not risk, by telling her his name
and title. the small hope he had OF
winning the liking of this girl. She
knew it.
''All is fair in love and war;" he said
to himself, resolving to win her if he
could.
The morning had broken bright and
fair dewy and fragrant. Lord RIVERS
was early at the trysting-pIace. He was
uncertain whether she would come or
not; but the day would be well spent
in waiting for her, should she only
pass by. 1t was early noon when she
came. She looked at his picture and
admired it
"You are clever" she said to him,
briefly. you viii make your way"
"Do you think so?" he asked, his
face flushing with delight. Your
should be true artist if I were much
with you"
"You are a true artist in any case"
she declared emphaticaIly.
Lord Ryvers was leaning against the
trunk OF a silver beech; Violet sat on
a moss-covered stone; and the time
was flying as it always did when they
were together. She blushed when he
spoke of the nightingale.
81 am sure" she said, that that was
great imprudence on my part I
ought not to have gone out. l shall
have fit of honesty some day, and tell
Aunt Alice then | shall receive the
reprimand | feel | deserve"
Il wish 1 could get to know your
aunt" he said. How could it be man
aged?"
Not at ALL" she answered. my
aunt would rather make friends with
a whole tribe of Zulus than with a
young Englishman, even though he
were an artist"
Could l ask her to let me sketch
the COTTAGE" he said.
"She would never consent Besides,
why should you wish to know herr
Can ycu ask me that question:"
"CertainIy I can. l have a great
natural affection for Aunt Alice, be-
cause she has been so g1od TO me; but
I cannot see why a stranger should
wish to know her"
4 will tell you. Miss Beaten, why !
wish to know her. I wish to see more
Of you If I knew your aunt I could
call ut Acacia Cottage every day"
even then you would be obliged 20
leave the neighborhOod when your pic
ture was finished"
He thought to himself that he could
not so alone, if prayers and persuas-
ions could induce her to go with him
Randolph. Lord RIVERS of Ryversweu,
had fixed his whole heart on the win
ming of this girl; he had fallen passion
ately in love with her. The happiness
of his life depended on her; and she
not only disliked aristOCratS, but gave
no sign of being in love with him at
all He could not rouse in her any
consciousness of love; her heart slept
the calm sleep of childhood. and he
could not awaken it. He told her the
most pathetic of 'Jve-stories: she only
laughed lightly and brightly
at is all nonsense" she said
She. wondered that an artist, whose
mind should be stored with such differ
ent things, could think of nonsense
She did not care for Iove-stories; she
did not care for love-poetry; she liked
martial ballads If he recited some Of
the grand old border ballads for her.
she was pleased; she liked the rims
and the measure. If he wished to
please her, let him leave love alone.
SO the days passed on, and the glow
Ing loneliness Of June glided into the
mature beauty Of July By this time
they had become fast friends-that is,
Lord RIVERS was so deeply in love with
Violet that he could hardly live out Of
her presence; while she, without
being the least in love with him,
looked to him for the happiness and
brightness of her life.
SO matters might have continued to
run on, but the constant security had
made the young lord and Violet care
less; and, rambling one morning
through st. Byno's woods. talking and
laughing quite at their ease, Miss Ath-
erton's stern face grew more stern:
beautiful. laughing Violet looked in
clined to cry. Lord Rivers did not
lose his courage, although he was for
few moments quite at loss what 70