Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-09

Continued.

Continued.
Only Heaven knew how great her
relief was when Lord Leighton said
that II was time to return. The party
was divided into laughing, merry
groups. Some one was talking to
Ethel. and she saw the keeper coming
toward her with something white u
his hand.
He is coming to claim me" she
thought and the fame Of true courage
seemed to flash from her heart to her
face. She stood proudly erect to meet
the blow. Il will die hard" she
thought to herself, with bitter smile,
He was standing before her, hat in
hand, bowling low, as a slave before All
empress. He held out a small, folded
paner.
i beg our pardon" he said, but
this. | think, belongs to you"
She looked at him steadily and his
eyes fell before her proud, serene gaze.
For one half-minute she was tempt
ed to defy him-tO say it was not hers,
and then turn proudly away; but
something like a CLEAN of pity for him
came over her, and she took the paper
from him. He turned quickly away.
At last she was alone in her room at
Holmedale Park She never re-
membered returning; but she was
there, holding that folded paper in her
hand. A mist swan before her eyes;
a proud, indignant flush rose to her
face.
The words on the paper filled her
with Undesirable loathing:
Il have found you, Ethel my wife, at
last, after looking for you long months.
have found you and have once more
looked upon that face which contains
all the beauty of earth for me. Ethel,
must speak to you. l never thought
when the sun rose that should see
YOU before it had set Ethel, l must
see you. Will you walk tomorrow in
the Holme Woods, as | will be there
have so much to say to you; but
can think Of nothing now except that
have seen you, Ethel, my beautiful
wife"
She tore the paper into a thousand
shreds.
4 will not meet him." she said 70
herself. "He is a released felon. He
has deceived me once, but he shall
never deceive me again. He may do
what he pleases, but I will not meet
him"
Her anger and Indignation were
most violent; they outriValed heI
despair. Then the requirements OF
society had to be met. She was oblig-
ed to go down to dinner, and look as
composed as could be. She would not
go out at all on the day following, lest
he should be waiting and see her.
"He must understand once and fOl
all that there can be no word between
him and me-" she said to herself q
he persists in claiming me, my friend.
must shield me, or | will go away auc
hide myself"
SO she spent the whole day in tht
house, and would not leave it.
Three days passed and she heard NJ
word of him. She never forgot the
slow torture of those days, the miser
able suspense, the uncertainty. Every
noso alarmed her; every voice
startled her She was every moment
expecting, dreading, fearing that h
would make some sign, yet from hin
mono came.
She heard from him at last. A:
they stood one morning, just after
luncheon, discussing some charadeS
that were to be acted that evening
Ethel saw footman coming towarC
her with a beautiful basket of ferns II
his hand The man bowed and helt
them out to her.
The keeper has sent these, miss
and he says you will find a list of ferns
inside
she was compelled to take it be
cause so many people were looking on
but her face flushed proudly. LORD
leighton smiled.
Smith told me yesterday, Miss St
Norman, that he was looking for some
ferns for you. You wished for some,
supposed?'
She would not have told an untruth
to save her life. Fortunately Lord
Leighton did not wait for reply.
Holme Woods have always been
famous for their ferns he said; Il
am glad you have so beautiful col
lection. Miss St. Norman
And Gthel, with a smile, turned
away.