Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-03
Thorns and Orange Blossoms.
BY TIE AUTHOR OF
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL.
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: happened that have not heard he,
speak of herself at all. I can answer
for one thing-that she is an angel
My mother loves her.
He introduced her to your mother
them" said his companion. 1T must
be all right"
''The Introduction came about acci
IDENTIFY. The thing that has annoyed
me always is that he never seems tC
think my mother or any of the rest
of us good enough acquaintance for
her"
'"That seems more hopeful, think,
said Hubert Forest-Hay Lord
RIVERS is a man of the strictest
honor"
What shall we do?" demanded
Oscar, breathlessly.
''Do nothing. The safest rule is to
leave other peoples affairs entirely
alone"
But it cannot go on" cried the
other.
What right have we to interfere?''
said Hubert Forest-Hay.
''The right of the strong to protect
the weak" replied Oscar.
But you do not know that the lady
is weak. Remember, this is all sup
position. Even if your worst sus-
picions were verified. what could you
do? 1t is no business of yours; nor
can you by any possibility make it so. "
ct ought to be the business of every
! honest man to right wrong when the
opportunity occurs for doing so,'' de-
| clared Oscar.
Very good in theory, but in prac-
tice difficult of accomplishment" re-
Joined his companion. "You must
remember another thing-and let it
make you cautious. Suppose you in
terfere in the matter, and then find
out that you have made a foolish mis-
take, and that that golden-haired
girl is Lady RIVERS. 1t would be awk-
ward to say the least of it. Take my
advice, and say nothing at ALL
But that seems cowardly," re-
marked Oscar.
II am capable of counseling cow
ardice, as I am Of advising useless,
idle, and vain interference" said
Hubert FOrest-Hay, calmly. "You
see, we have come across a certain
fact that is incomprehensible. 1t may
hide a wrong or mystery. In either
case, it has nothing to do with us. |
tell you, candidly, my feeling in the
matter is a very strong one. | have
nothing to do with the private life of
an old college friend. If | had even
the faintest idea of anything unusual,
should not have mentioned Lord
RIVERS name. | shall keep the whole
affair profound secret. and | should
advise you to do the same"
But Oscar was almost too excited to
understand.
Il shall not remain here now" said
Hubert Forest-Hay ga friend of
mine has been urging me to go with
him to Sicily, and l shall accept the
invitation, starting tomorrow. |
should not like any unpleasant com
plication to arise through me-"
That is carrying chivalry too far"
said Oscar
81 do not think so. I know his
family; l know Lady RIVERS and the
Countess of Lester well, and. because
know them. am anxious to know
no more of his affairs than can help"
Then. if the marriage is legal, the
lady we have been calling Mrs. Ran
dolph is Lady Ryvers?"
Certainly she is; and all that I
have to say upon the matter it this,
that when he takes Lady RIVERS to
England, he will remember the day.
Now you take my council and say
nothing. | shall go back to the Lion
dor; l should not care to meet him.
My family do not know him"
Il am sorry you are going" said
Oscar.
Walk with me as far as the hotel"
said Hubert Forest-Hay, who by this
time bitterly repented what he had
said.
He was one of those men who would
| sooner do a good turn than bad one.
In his heart he had a great liking
| for Lord RIVERS, and would not have
| done him any harm. He had spoken
without thinking; it had never oc-
Cured to him that his old friend was
| living under any disguise.
| AS they walked through the quiet
streets, the moon shining brightly and
throwing quaint graceful shadows on
the whote roads. Hubert Forest-Hay
turned to his companion.
ct is a strong case against Lord
RIVERS, l must admit" he said; ''but
he was always the very soul of honor,
/ can remember some cases in which
he was chivalrous I may even say
QuiXotic. 1t will be far more prudent
for you to say nothing of what you
have discovered or what you suspect. y
eff there has been anything wrong
or underhand. he deserves to be shot
even though he were the descendant
of hundred earls!" declared Oscar
holly. she is the most beautiful
innocent of girls
I'VE will try and think there is
nothing wrong" said his companion
but I wish with all my heart 1 had
never seen this place, or, at least, ha(
never seen my old friend in it, Coco
night, Mr.. Carstone. and pray remem
Der that in this instance. as in every
: other, discretion is the better part O.
: valor, or if I may quote little
proverb, Speech is silver. but silence
is gold
CHAPTER xxi.
Oscar Carstone returned to the ball
) room He could hardly realize ever
: l,nA 10