Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-13
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If she had struck him in the face
he could not have recoiled more
Again the hot, impatient blood Of his
race rose to his brow; again he con,
trolled the angry words that rose from
his heart to his lips.
you are not competent to judge,
| he said, slowly.
Il am"
Violet swept him courtesy that
would have done credit to grand
duchess. Lord RIVERS went on, an
grily:
THE man presumes to admire you,
Violet; and you know it.
"You did the same thing, and you
consider yourself a good judge"
laughed Violet.
THAT is quite a different matter"
replied Lord Ryvrs, holly. "The ad-
miration of man of that class is an
insult"
Il do not think so,' said Violet,
calmly, 'and do not understand your
constant allusion to class"
Lord RIVERS turned away abruptly;
in another moment he would have be-
trayed his carefully guarded secret
He could not endure even half-angry
words from the lips he loved. He 81
lently resolved that he would never
argue with her again; but he would
speak to that young snob" himself
Violet was 50 young, SO simple. and had
seen so little of the world that, even
if he made love to her, she would not
know it.
This is the worst of my Quixotic
idea" he said, to himself. ct brings
me into contact with this kind of peO-
pie, and every instinct of my nature
rises agains Them
He would not own to himself that
he was jealOus-the very idea was pre-
posterous. Jealous of the son of re
tired contractor! Surely the ancient
race of RIVERS would blush for him.
Certainly he was not jealous; yet there
was a very uncomfortable feeling in
his heart, very warm flush on his
face, and angry light in his eye.
q shall certainly put a stop to it"
said Lolr RIVERS to himself. eff he
had brought her any other flowers eX-
cept orange blossoms, it would not
lave seemed so marked. 1t it intoler-
able"
He was not Jealous; but he followed
Oscar Carstone with angry eyes. He
waited his opportunity for speaking,
and, when they were in the billiard
room of the hotel, he said abruptly:
"One word with you, Mr.. Oscar Car
stone"
"Twerty if you like, Mr.. Artist"
was the reply.
Il have NAME sir" said Lord Ryv-
eTG.
And & profession; probably the pro-
fession is the nobler of the two," re-
torted Oscar, who was beginning to
dislike the artist most cordially.
Il want one word with ycu,' re-
peatcd Lord RIVERS, coolly. Il object,
and that very strongly, to your present
ing flowers to Mrs. Randolph"
why, may I ask"
THAT is my affair; [ object to it.
Mrs Randolph could moi bring
himself to say my wife''-"is very
young, and is as simple as q child I
know the world myself, and object to
floral flirtations"
Il heard Mrs. Randolph say that she
liked orange blossoms, and seeing some
very fine ones, I brought them to her.
o.nl-2 but common act Of
'1rFtesy ii that" declared Oscar.
I'VE DO not all see these matters in
the same light" said Lord RIVERS,
and my wish is to be respected"
IF you choose to deprive your wife
ct such simple little pleasure, it does
not affect me- sneered Oscar. Il am
only sorry that you find it needful."
Hot words and blows would have
followed, but that some strangers came
into tie room. From that hour it was
CT dislike, but hatred, that existed
between the two.