Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-04-12

Elm E1EEElT1TlElE ElEETEZZIEzE1TETzI
Continued.

neeQTuI arrangement LHSLedu Vi 60
ing to Austria. he intended to start al
once for America. Mr. and Mrs. MI
gent were to take their passage in one
Of the steamers belonging to the great
Inman line. He had thought over this
plan for some time, and then decided
it was quite safe He did not intend
to give Ethel time to say anything to
Miss Digby, nor did he intend any OF
them to see her again
She must share in my lot hencefor-
ward" he said and forget all about
them"
Then it struck him that, much as
Ethel had spoken to him of her home,
ne had never asked her where it was,
nor had he made any inquiries as to
her fathers rank in life.
1T shows how deeply and dearly
love the girl" ne thought to himself.
u never stopped TO ask one question
about her affairs If she had all the
money in the world, | could love her
love her just as much. The chances are
that, If she were the greatest heiress
in England, it would be impossible for
me ever to claim what is hers. 1t is
Ethel I want--Ethel, with her grand
dover OF youthful beauty, and not
money
lie arranged in his own mind that
when they were married he would re-
turn at once to the hotel while Ethel
fingered in the woods; he would send
all his luggage away and with it, I'M
noticed, two large boxes of hers. They
could meet together at the station, and,
once away from st. Inas he would de-
ty fate. Ethel would want to have her
own way-to thrown down the gaunt-
let Of defiance to Miss Digby; but he
could invent some excuse for getting
her to the station and then, finding re-
sistance useless, she would submit.
Everything was arranged in his own
mind and to his own satisfaction,
when he returned to the Queens Hotel
Some gentleman who played very
beautifully on the harp had been asked
to give the ladies the pleasure Of hear
ing him; the harp was brought out on
TO the lawn, and when Laurie Nugent
arrived there was quite a concert He
thought OF the scene for years after
Ward-the sun shining so brightly on
the lawn and cleaning in the foun-
tains, the flowers all in bloom, the
rustling foliage of the lines looking
golden in the brilliant light, the soft,
sweet music sounding above the song
Of the birds and the murmur of the
fountains
He saw Helen Digby seated by Lady
Stations side, each listening intentIy
to the music. He went over to them,
and Helen looked up at him with a
kindly smile.
You have been away all day, have
you not Mr. Nugent?"
Ethel was standing by her side, and
laurie stole a glance at her as he re-
piled:
Yes, | have been away on very i'm
portant business. and | am glad to say
tnat | have met with perfect success -
Their eyes met for moment, and
then hers dropped, and burning flush
spread over her lovely face.
Success is always charming" said
Heien, little dreaming what Laurie
Nugents success implied.
Il have never found it so welcome as
q the case of the business l have been
about today, he said, laughing.
He fingered with them. talking prin-
cipally to Miss Digby and glancing oc-
qsionally at the beautiful face droop-
* over the flowers
AS for Ethel, she saw nothing, she
heart nothing, plainly; it was one con
fusins whirl to her. The whisper OF
the wind, the rustling of the leaves the
ripping of the fountains, the music o.
the harp, all said but one thing to her
Il am to be married tomorrow" She
heard those words-''married tomor-
roy every sound that fe,I upoI
her ears, until she began tc wonder
whether she were losing her reason OF
not
1t was one of the pleasantest ant
gayest evenings that had ever beer
spent at the Queens Hotel; Ethel Cor
ton remembered it forever afterward
Years were to pass before beauty. an,
music, and perfume would have any
charm for her again.
The last question that Laurie Nugen
asked that night was the one tina
came so often from his lips:
Have any strangers arrived?" An
the answer was, as usual, No"