Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-07
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Glz!lEllEllglEGT9[ElGlR!E
! Reqented at Leisure. | /
gil BERTHA M. CLAY. {
BERTHA N. CLAY.
!IEZIEIEzElHRIgGlgz

| NO Sucn lQea occurred 10 Ethel her
self. She gave no sign of being pleased
because the young duke was evidently
delighted with her; on the contrary, a!
he paid her compliment after compli
ment, she said to herself:
What would he think Of me if h.
knew [ was the wife of a convicted
He asked her TO dance. but she de
cined, so surprising him in a manner
that he had never before perhaps eXpe
rienced. To refuse to dance with hin
for whom other young ladies would
gladly have given up their favorite
partners. That refusal increased his
liking for her thousand fold. If she
had appeared like others. fattered by
his attention, pleased to secure his no
tice, he would, in all probability, have
thought no more of her; but the beau
tiful face was never turned to his, the
| lovely eyes were once raised, and then
the white lids dropped over them, and
their bright depths We're yelled from
him. He was piQued and resolute.
Naughty, proud, and beautiful, she
shall love me yet" he said to himself;
and he devoted himself almost exclu-
sively to her.
Mothers and chaperons looked at him
in despair, as though they would have
| said, There is no more hope: she has
taken MIN captive"
Then men looked on in wonder. 1t
was strange to see the young duke in
| earnest at last. That he was in earnest
was plainly to be seen.
The dreamy, beautiful music of a
German waltz foated around
You will not refuse me. Miss St.
| Norman" he said. The music is so
beautiful, one feels compelled to
dance
She never looked at him. but the
hands that were touching the scarlet
flowers trembled slightly She did re-
fuse again, and again a feeling of sur
prise took possession of him.
DO you not like dancing, Miss St.
Norman" he asked
Yes, She liked it; but just then she
did not feel inclined for it.
This was something new for his
grace, who had always hitherto found
that the inclination of young ladies led
them to dance with him.
will you allow me to talk to YOU.
them he begged, eff you prefer not to
dance?"
IF it pleases you" she replied, in
differently.
But she did not make room for him
by her side, as many would have done.
and try to please him. He stood before
ner deferentially, as though she were a
queen. He devoted himself to her.
But when the evening had ended, and
he was trying to buoy himself up with
some little hope of success, he could
not remember one smile, one kind
word, one glance from the beautiful
eyes; he had not one single favor on
which to rest his hopes.
Having waited patiently a whole
hour for the purpose, he escorted Ethel
to the carriage. He had not won one
goodnight, his eyes fell on the flowers
She carried.
Miss st. Norman" he said, will
you give me those fiowers?"
Then she raised her eyes to his face.
slowly, proudly, coldly.
My tiowers!" she returned. why
should you care for them? They are
dead"
Living or dead. l care not" he said.
In my humble opinion, they will not
die after having been in your hands all
the evening; that ought to make them
live"
Il nave never heard of immortality
being conferred upon flowers she OBJ
served
The implied compliment, he saw
plainly, was lost upon her, and he liked
her still more for her want of vanity.
Give me only one from your bou
quet,' he said, earnestly; Il will ask
no more"
Why do you desire it?' inquired
Ethel.
Because it is yours" he replied,
with passion, and because you have
held it. Give it to me to remind me Of
tonight. l shall always hold my truest
and my best life as having begun to-
night"
She glanced at him, saw the light on
his face, heard the deep, earnest music
of his voice, and understood him.
Will you grant my prayer" he pur-
sued. will you give me one flower
Miss st. Norman"
Not one" she declined, gravely.
! There came into her heart something
| like hatred of love and lovers-o. men,
! because man had so cruelty betrayed
| her A passionate indignation against
the whole race seized her. The young
| dukes face fell as he heard her words
You are very unkind to me, Miss St.
Norman" he said.
1t is not in my power to be kind or
unkind to your grace" she rejoined,
haughtily.
1t was a new experience to the Duke
of Southmead; in all his life no one
had denied him a favor or refused to
comply with one of his requests. He
felt a singular respect for the fearless
young girl who now did so.
As Lord St Norman and his wife
!