Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-03
CHAPTER XXI.

be dreaming. 7 assure you that tina
gentleman is Randolph, Lord Ryvers
of Ryverswell, of Mount Avon ir
Hampshire, of Avon Villa in the Isle
Wight, of Glenfair in Scotland. ant
Avon House, Mayfair. You see,
know his titles and possessions by
heart His father has been dead
many years, and he has succeeded tC
vast fortune, and savings of a long
minority. His mother. Lady RIVERS
is-well I should certainly say one OF
the proudest women in England. He
has two sisters; one lives with Lady
RIVERS, the other a great leader of
fashion-the Countess of Lester.
You see. that I cannot be mistaken in
his identity"
Still Oscar Carstone looked at him
with vague, wondering eyes.
"And know him as Mr.. Randolph,
a clever but by no means well-known
artist. He has been staying with
Mrs. Randolph at the English hotel
for some weeks. There must be some
mistake. His wife told my mother
some few days since that lie was in
some trouble concerning money.
Here Hubert Forest-Hay laughed
aloud
Money troubles. Why, Lord RIVERS
is one of the richest men in England.
If he has any trouble with regard to
money, it is that he has SO much, he
does not know what to do with it."
Are you quite sure that is Lord
Ryvers?" asked Oscar.
II am as sure of his indemnity as
am of my own" replied Hubert Forest
Hay.
who is the lady?" Oscar Carstone
asked, suddenly. IF you know Lord
RIVERS so we'll, you must know his
wife"
But Hubert Forest-Hay shook his
head graveIy.
Il assure you I have never seen her
before; and, now that I reflect, I never
heard that Lord RIVERS was married
/ remember hearing that he was
struck with the last new beauty,
GWendoline Mari. Lord Marr's daugh-
ter"
WAS this lady Miss Marr?'' asked
Oscar.
mo. Gewendoline Mari is one of
the most beautiful women in London.
but brunette-a perfect brunette. |
met Lady RIVERS last week. was
with her for half an hour-and she
said nothing about her son being
married-not one word; and | think,
knowing that he was an old chum of
mine, she would have told me-"
Again the two men looked blankly
at each other
Il am sorry | came" said Hubert
Forest-Hay, slowly; 81 am sorroy l
have seen him. There is no mistake
about it. The man | know to be Lord
RIVERS you know as Mr.. Randolph"
There is no particular harm in any
gentleman laying aside his title if he
chooses" said Oscar.
No, there is no harm in that" was
the answer-"none whatever"
Both young men were silent; their
eyes were fixed on the beautiful face
shining under the light of the great
chandelier.
us it a private marriage, should
you think?" Oscar said. in low voice.
Only Heaven knows" replied his
companion; Il cannot say 1t is no
business of mine | wish I had not
come"
Oscar Carstone bent down and
whispered a few words in his ear.
Hubert Forest-Hay looked up with
mortified face
i am almost afraid you are right"
We said. yet Randolph RIVERS was
IF Tho r
men. He could never have fallen so
low"
Again Oscar Carstone whispered
to his companion, who answered:
Il am afraid it is so; it looks like
it. You say that he avoids all English
people?"
That he certainly does,'' was the
answer, But, if it be as we surmise,
am sure that girl has been foully,
cruelty deceived" His face flushed
and his eyes flashed fire. do you
know" he added. fiercely, "it seems
strange thing to say, but, if it be
true, and she is free, | would make
her my wife tomorrow You do not
understand that?"
Il do not understand what | CON
slider perfect Madness said Hubert
Forest-Hay, coldly.
If | thought it true-my suspicious
true" cried Oscar-'I would shoot
him just as I would shoot a dog!"
MY good friend, if you were to
shoot every man who does a wrong of
that kind. you would leave the world
half empty"
But look at her She is lovely
and proud, imperial and gracious.
Would any one dare wrong a woman
like that?"
1t is quite possible that there may
have been no wrong" said Hubert
Forest-Hay. I'VE have no right to
Judge by appearances, although l con.
fess that in this case the appearances
are black enough Had you no sus
picion that he was masquerading? II
seems to me that any one could tel
Lord RIVERS mixed in the highest
circles
Oscar looked slightly crestfallen
He did not wish his newly made frienC
to think that he was deficient, o.
could not recognize a gentleman b,
birth when he saw one.
ITO tell you the truth" he said, &c
have been very much puzzled.
never though he was what he repre
sented himself to be; but I must ais,
own that | never guessed him to b.
VIII 40 iC Io L,