Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-27
s9232,SS0R@52E56SRsE3G3g3
Continued.

your life; you have tOId IL all 10 me
know your secret-your love story;
and you XIV nothing Of me-less
than nothing I too have story; you
have not heard it. I have g secret
YOU do not know it." Her eyes were
full of tears; her face quivered with
emotion.
Il do not wish to know it, said
Miss Mari. Il love you for your
beautiful face, which charms me, for
your independence and originality,
for your noble ideas and the harmony
find in your character, tastes, and
sentiments Most of ALL" she added,
with smile, 81 think that I love yoa
because l have trusted you"
THAT is very likely" answered
Violet, simply "You will find me
faithful and loyal; but am afraid
can never be of any use to you"
Il am the best judge of that" said
her companion.
''You have been of the greatest use
to me, as you express it. How
patiently you have listened to all my
love troubles?"
"They interested me- replied
Violet. Il should like to add one
thing more. If ever, in the future,
you should hear anything of me that
surprises or displeases you, you will
remember it was the knowledge of
what is in my own heart which made
me hasten to promise what you asked
me-
my dear, one need look no further
than your face" said the heiress.
laughing; your whole soul shines
there; and it is a very honest soul.
loyal, sweet and pure. Now that we
are friends, shall write to you and
tell you how my mission fares.
Come With me now"
The two women who could never be
thoroughly happy because of each
other went to Miss Marr's room,
where the onerous business of pack
ing was to be performed. There was
such treasures laid out there-lace,
velvet, brocades, jewelled fans, orna-
ments of every kind, suits of shining
gems-that Violet was bewildered.
The heiress laughed at her amazed
face.
'The paraphernalia of a profess
sional beauty" she said.
In vain did the wealthy heiress offer
Violet one thing after another. She
would have lavished gifts upon her,
she would have given her the richest
lace, the most costly jewels; but
Violet would accept nothing. She
felt slightly embarrassed when she re-
membered the treasures shut up in
her wardrobes at Ryversdale-noth-
ms like those belonging to the heiress,
but beautiful enough in their way.
She marveled at Miss Marr's con-
tinual reference to Lord RIVERS, she
seemed to have no other though. She
took up a beautiful bracelet and said:
Il wore this when I met Lord
RIVERS at the French Embassy"
Her white fingers seemed to caress
rich piece of lace, as she said:
Lord RIVERS admired this
She fingered lovingly over one of
her dresses, and said: "The first time
| wore this | danced twice with Lord
RIVERS"
At last Violet could stand it no
longer She looked up at the loving.
impetuous woman.
1T is all Lord RIVERS" she cried,
impatiently; you thing of nothing
else, you speak of nothing else; every
incident in your life seems to have
taken its coloring from him.
you are right" said Gwendoline.
Indeed It is a worse case than that.
My life takes its light and darkness
from him, but it is almost always
dark"
In Violet's heart the flame of
jealousy burned so fiercely that she
could have stamped on the laces and
jewels that had been worn to charm
him. There was curious ring of
suppressed passion in her voice as
she said
ut seems great pity to waste so
much love-"
Miss MARI seemed slightly sur
prised.
"Longfellow says that love is never
wasted. Do you know these beauti-
full lines:
Talk not of wasted affection,
Affection never was waSted'?"
Yes; | know them. But not even
Longfellow will change my opinion
that it is sad, pitiful waste of love"
Il would rather waste it on Lord
RIVERS than receive the fullest re-
turn from another" cried the heiress,
passionately.
And Violet had to use more self
control than she had ever used in her
life before to keep back the hot. angry
words that rose to her lips.
CHAPTER
DR.. Weald looked considerably as
tonished when he saw his young
patient. He was a man of great ex-
perience and kindly heart He had
three fair young daughters of his own,
and he thought of them as he looked
at the delicate, exquisite, unconscious
face
What name did you say?" he in.
CURED of the house-keeper, who took
him to the young lady's room.
Miss Beaton," she replied
Miss Beaton?" repeated the doctor
with some emphasis.
yes, sir; she is quite a young lady
unmarried"
Then there is a mystery" sighed
the doctor, as he proceeded to ex
anime his patient. cit is nothing e
be alarmed att is only a Ions