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

All that had appeared a mystery was
clear to him now-the fees to the
servants, the free expenditure OF
money; all that had seemed strange to
him in an artist was now easily under
stood in wealthy nobleman.
"How astonished my mother and
father would be if they knew it," he
thought.
He could not even form an idea as
to why Lord RIVERS should be living
there under an assumed name, his
marriage a secret from the whole
world. 1t was a weighty secret for
him to hold. and for some time he held
it we'll He went back TO the ball
room; but he lid not seek Mrs. Ran
dolph now; he was content to watch
her from the other end of the room,
and watch her in wonder.
If she had been in any way de-
| ceived, if her marriage were not legal,
then Lord RIVERS was certainly the
greatest william under the sun. But,
looking at the girls queenly face, his
doubts and suspicious in some meas
| her. She was too beautiful, too
queenly. But yet, if the marriage had
been perfectly lawful marriage, why
was he lying here under a false name?
Why was he So DESTROYS of keeping
everything from observation? Why
not meet his friends? Why not tell
his family Of his marriage?
Lord RIVERS, who knew nothing of
what had passed. leased his wife on
the detection of her admirer.
MY frowns are as successful as
your smiles" he said. Your smiles
attract, my frowns repel."
Il do not see why you wish to repel
Mr.. Carstone," she returned, gravely.
"You must remember what you
promised me-"
eff he would always keep his dis
lance as he has done tonight. should
not find him so Objectionable"
But Violet would not listen. He
had promised to be courteous and civil
to the Carstones She would not let
him laugh at them.
Madame looks magnificent to-
night said Lord RIVERS. "The ruby
velvet train is really artistic touch,
Violet
''She is kind, good woman, Ran
dolph, and she looks nice because she
is good. You shall not laugh at her!"
cried Violet.
THAT is a new idea of the fashion
books" he said. But I am not
laughing. Who would laugh at such a
gorgeous dame? I cannot quite IN
derstand your friend tonight; he
seems to avoid me-" he went on. ''He
looks strangely at me, and his man
ner is different But why need Il
trouble myself about him?''
why indeed" laughed Violet. II
was just thinking So"
'Have you nearly had enough of
this Violet?" he asked. II shall be
glad when it is time to 60"
mot yet" she cried, with such !
fervor that he was amused-"not yet, |
am so happy, and I have so many
partners"
"Be happy then, my darling" he i
said. Enjoy yourself in your own
bright fashion"
An hour later Lord RIVERS found |
himself near Mrs. Carstone. to whom !
also the evening had been a delightful |
one. She was vigorously using her |
fan, and looked up at him as he
passed.
81 have had very pleasant time, !
Mr.. Randolph she said Il have met |
some really nice people"
But Lord RIVERS was not suf- |
interested to ask who the |
people were; so that. for some time |
at least, he did not know the dis !
coverer of his secret. j
How much your wife has been |
Mrs. Carstone continued.
mot half as much as she deserves
to be-" he replied, laughingly.
And Mrs. Carstone thought to her |
self, There is a great deal of good |
after ALL in the young man"
Violet looked fresh as the morning |
breaking in the skies when they re-
turned to their hotel.
Mrs. Carstone had enjoyed herself |
supremely; she had talked to Lady |
Forest-Hay, and had been introduced |
to several ladies whom she had long |
desired to know. But Oscar was |
silent. He hardly spoke in |
answer to any remarks that were |
made to him. His silence continued |
until the next day at noon. He had a |
desperate struggle with himself He
felt that the proper and manly thing !
to do was to keep silence with regard |
to a secret CT which he had acct !
dentally gained possession. Then he
pictured to himself his mothers Won
der and his fathers CONSERVATION
were he to reveal what he knew; and
finally he decided to tell his mother,
come what might, and she might
please herself as to what use she
would make of her knowledge.
To be continued.