Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-13


| daughter the Countess of Lester, that
she feared there was some entangle-
| ment. But the Countess treasured
her. Randolph was the last person in
the world to associate with anything
of that kind; she said his devotion to
art was his grand preservation.
There is a silver lining to every
| cloud, mamma" said the Counties. ct
seems most deplorable that Randolph
should devote life that ought to have
| been given to other duties to painting.
But, after all, art purifes and exalts
those who love it. You need fear no
ENHANCEMENT for him
Heaven grant that you are right,
my DEAR said the anxious mother.
Any disappointment with regard to
Randolph would be my death; all my
hopes are centered in him"
You will have none, mamma" the
| Countess of Lester assured her.
Still Lady RIVERS looked anxious.
Randolph has always had peculiar
IDEAS" she said.
True, mamma; but they were al
ways the ideas of gentleman. You
know that to the very core Of his heart
Randolph is a gentleman"
Il know it," said Lady RIVERS, gen
tly. Still l shall be very pleased
when he returns"
She wrote again and again; but the
letter that really reused the young
man from his dream was the one in
which she suggested that, if he really
had found such charming quarters
that he could not leave them, the best
thing would be for her to visit him.
Then he knew that he must take active
measures soon.
Lord RIVERS was not quite happy;
there we're shadows in eyes that had
once been all light and love, lines on
the beautiful face which should not
have appeared for many years yet.
Life was not Quite the dream of hap
piness that he had hoped it would be.
He had given up all the world for love,
but love had not paid him. He found
himself in a terrible dilemma. He
dreaded telling his secret to Violet,
whose ideas and opinions seemed to
grow stronger every day, and he
dreaded giving his mother pain.
Still he was too loyal even to ask
himself whether he had done an unwise
thing. If it were to be done over again
with double the risk, double the diff
Guilty, he would do it-for Violet was
all the world to him. There was some
doubt in his mind as to how he should
get through his difficulties; but he
was not troubled with regret.
He was thinking deeply, when .Vio-
let came into his studio.
Randolph she said, you are busy
this morning?"
Never too busy to attend to you,
my darling" he replied. What do
you want?"
IF you are engaged, and do not
like to go out with Mrs. Carstone.'
Where is she going?" was the nat
ural question.
ITO visit some friends who have
just taken one Of those beautiful villas
on the hill" she replied.
English people?" he asked
Yes, but forget the name. |
should like to go. Mrs. Carstone says
they are such nice people"
The handsome face grew dark
at seems to me, Violet" he said,
gently, that you pay but little heed to
my wishes. I have told you so often
that l do not care for any English ac-
quaintances.
L think my feelings and inclinations
are to be considered as we'll as yours"
she replied. Il like English people,
and no other"
He looked perpleXed; then he crossed
the room to where she was standing.
Let my wishes prevail in this in
stance, Violet" he said, gently. BE
lieve me, I have good reasons. 7 do
not like the Carstones, and do not care
to know their friends. Be your own
sweet self, and please me by not &C
companying Mrs. Carstone this morn
ing"
But she had still lingering in her
ears Oscars half laughing, half taunt-
ing words when his mother gave her
the invitation.
ct is of no use, mother" he had
cried, laughingly. Our friend the ar
fist is quite Bluebeard; he will not
let her 60"
Nonsense" Violet had rejoined
with some little veXation Gust as
though l could not go where liked"
And now his words were verified.
Continued.