Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-21
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was one Of the best matches in Eng
land. His mother knew it. On the
strength of it she had pat-onized
duchesses with large families Of
daughters. True, she was a very
7, popular member of society on her own
account, but she was doubly so on &C
: count Of her son. Pincess Saxon, who
had four plain daughters all unmar-
Tied. never ceased to court her. The
! Duches of Inyerary, one of the most
exclusive queens of society, eagerly
sought Lady RIVERS, and said openly
! how much she should like an alliance
between the two houses; and Gwen
doline Mari. the most beautiful and
wealthy heiress of the day, had more
than once shown her preference for
/ him.
Not only we're all these triumphs
ended, but a series of terrible NORTH
| cations nad begun. How should she
! face the world when the pride of her
! life was gone? How could she bear
the sneers of those ladies at whom she
| had sneereG, and who would not in
their turn spare her? She knew ex-
actly the tone OF affected cOmmisera.
ton in which they would address her
She knew how they would sting bey
under the guise of plying words.
He might have married any one"
she cried; "and he has brought me to
this, that I shall be ashamed to show
my face where, until now, have been
an honored guest! I can just imagine
Princess Saxon, with the sweet Ian
guild smile Of hers, saying, What is
this story about your sons marriage,
dear Lady RIVERS? l have not be
lieyed one word of it; and I shall have
to own that it is all true"
For the time the proud lady almost
hated her son; and she hated with
double bitterness the girl he had mar
ried.
| Seven o'clock had struck, and every
minute she expected the carriage. 1t
had been sent to Ryversdale railway
| station, and the three ladies awaited
Its return. Lady RIVERS would not
have owned such a thing for the world
she would have called it theatrical
! and ill-bred-but she had chosen the
great drawing-rOOm in which to re-
ceiVe R9ndolph's wife, hoping the
sight Of its grandeur would annihuate
her. For the same reason she had
| chosen her richest dress of black
velvet, her finest pOint-lace, and some
| of her most superb diamonds. She
/ looked majestic and magnificent. yet
in her heart she half despised herself
What did it matter, after all, whether
a creature so uttely insignificant were
crushed or not? Lady Lester looked
! beautiful as dream. She wore a
dress Of pale amber brocade, with
some fine rubies. Monica wore white,
with blue hyacinths.
q don't know how I shall meet
them" said Lady RIVERS. q have
never felt that it was impossible to be
civil before. Marguerite, what shall |
do? My sense and tact fail me-"
With half closed eyes Marguerite,
Countess of Lester lay back in her
chair. She held richly jeweled fan
in her hands; and the family crisis, as
Monica irTeverentIy called it, had not
troubled her. When Lady RIVERS
spoke, the elder daughter opened her
magnificent dark eyes.
do not trouble, mamma" she said.
Let me use one of Monica's plati-
tudes-what is to be will be. You
have anticipated the worst. 1t is just
possible that we may have an agree
able surprise"
My dear Marguerite cried Lady
RIVERS, 81 must kiss her. If l do not,
Randolph will be mortally offended.
Yet how can I? I wish they were
here, and it was all over"
Mamma. shall you go into the hall
to meet them?" Monica asked, a short
time afterward. when the sound OF
carriag e-wheels was heard.
Certainly not" replied her lady.
ship. why should I? That is Ran
dolph's voice. Oh, Marguerite, how
my heart beats: 1t has not beaten sc
quickly for years.
In the agitation Of the moment the
three ladies drew together. They
formed a striking group. The door
by whom-and Randolph entered
the room. They saw the tall figure
and the bronzed, handsome face; they
saw that he led by the hand a graceful
girl, whose face was hidden by g
traveling-veil. 1t seemed for mo-
ment as though they were all para
, lyzed then the rich, cherry voic,
, broke the spell.
Mother, Marguerite, Monica-aI
here! How good Of you!"
The next minute the graceful figure
: of the girl was seen standing alone
/ and Rondolph had flung his arms
vehemently round his mother.
ooh, mother he said, as he kissed
= the naughty, handsome face, st i:
good to see you again, Marguerite,
am delighted!'-and he kissed the
l Counties of Lester. Monica, my dar
l ling!"-and that was the warmes
greeting of all.
Then, with a look of pride on hi:
face and bow such as courtie
would have made before queen, Lore
! RIVERS stepped back. He took tn,
S hand of his wife and led her to Lad
e RIVERS
4 Mother" he said, this is my wife
[ Violet; Violet-my mother, Lad,
a RIVERS
She lacked all her accustomed grac
7 and dignity when she said
IL Il bid you welcome home 1t wa
/ a great effort to say it. The voice wa
S cold and hard; there was not smile O.