Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-07

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all, it will be a relief; l hate conceal
ment. I shall write to my mother this
very day, and tell her that We shall be
at Ryversdale-when shall we say?'
when you like" she replied, with
little shrinking, which, in his eager
delight, he did not notice.
Shall you mind if we set out to-
morrow" he asked. Il shall not like
staying here after this; it would be
very uncomfortable meeting the peo-
pie who are stopping here"
II am ready to go at any moment
you may wish,' she replied-'today
tomorrow, when you will"
She felt conscious that. having an
ordeal to face, the sooner she faced it
the better.
"Then we will start for England to-
morrow. We must delay day or two
in Paris to buy few things for my
mother and sisters"
Randolph" she said. gravely, Il
have told you all that has been said
about us. No one can prevent the
comments of people; but they can
easily be corrected"
'You are thinking of the Carstones,"
he said. 81 will make that right.
We shall see them on the terrace this
evening. Now, Violet, tell me how
am to thank you?"
"You have nothing to thank me for
yet" she said. 81 have only promised
to try
THAT means SO much, coming from
you" he whispered, lovingly. ooh,
Violet, I am so glad that you know
the truth at last My deception has
lain long and heavily on my mind"
do not be too sanguine," she said.
Il shall do my best; but I am afraid
that the new life will not suit me, nor
the people I shall meet. I am proud
and sensitive; they will be proud and
exclusive"
Il would love any one for your
sake" he remarked. you must try
to love my people because they are
mine. Will you, darling?"
Il will try" she replied.
"And you quite forgive me?"
Yes she answered; Il for/ve
you, because you are SO nobly gen.
erous; | canont help it. But-weIl. l
will say no more than this-I wish it
had been otherwise"
He felt chilled. After all his lavish
love and passionate earnestness,
those seemed cool words. Her man
ner too was cold-nOt what he had
hoped it would be after his full ex-
PLANTATION. He said to himself, with a
deep sigh, that he would give her
time Of course the disclosure had
been a shock to her; but she would
get over that. and all will be well. He
had not been prepared to find her SO
cold, so proud or obstinate; he had al
ways though1her so gentle in every
point accept one.
They talked for long time. He
told her all about Ryversdale, about
it's beautiful rooms, it's splendid glades
and magnificent grounds.
"You, who love beautiful scenery,
must enjoy it" he said; you cannot
fail to be pleased with it."
But there was no answering enthusi-
asm on her face. Then he thought
that perhaps the wisest thing would
be to say nothing about his home or
himself in any way; so he talked of
other things. Yet. it was evident,
from the observations she made. that
her thoughts still dwelt on the dis
covery.
The same evening Lord RIVERS saw
the Carstone family on the terrace,
and knew that the time had arrived
when he must disclose who he was.
"Violet," he said come with me.
We will face the foe together"
What foe?" she asked
The Carstones Come with me,
and let me introduce you by your
proper name and title"
The beautiful face flushed proudly;
but she controlled the impulse that
prompted her to speak in hot resent
ment, and went with him.
Did ever man look more gallant and
brave, more handsome and proud,
more erect of mein, more dignified in
bearing, than this young lord, as he
walked with his wife down the ter
race?
There was embarrassment and con-
fusion OH the faces of the Carstones
as he came up to the little group.
Never did 'blood" and race" show
more than in that little scene.
Lord RIVERS bowed as he took his
wife's hand in his own.
IL
said, ito introduce by new name
my wife," and he laid great stress on
the word MY wife tells me that
you have discovered a secret that
very much wished to keep a short
time longer. That being the case,
allow me to reintroduce myself and
Lady RIVERS.
Mrs. Carstone's face beamed with
good nature and awe. 1t was all real
ly true then, and this beautiful
simple girl was Lady RIVERS. Rich
ard Carstone looked bewildered; he
knew neither what to say nor what tc
think. The case as quite out of his
experience. He did not know wheth
er he ought to congratulate, praise, OF
blame; therefore, like a wise man, he
remained perfectly silent; while Oscar
frowned.
You have been so very kind tc
Lady RIVERS continued the youns
lord, addressing himself pointedly this
time to Mrs. Carstone, that feel
few words of explanation are due t.
you. AS to any insolent conjecture:
about my marriage, they are beneath
my contempt, and l treat them so b,