Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-04-18
CHAPTER xxx.

FlOl6C, ana L decline to be tOrmentC /
about her.
CHAPTER xxx.
Lord RIVERS returned home that
evening light of heart, for he hal
found as he thought, solution of his
difficulties. His wife must be his fir t
consideration, her happiness his first
care, and, if mis- mother could not like
her, they must dwell apart; he would
not have her vexed and annoyed.
There was no fear but that Violet was
equal to any position in the world.
He did not see that association VITA
his mother and sisters was at all
needful. To his thinking, Violet was
more graceful than they were, and
quite as elegant, as refined and weh-
bred
Lord Lester had given him a most
cordial invitation to Draynham, and
Lord RIVERS had accepted it. He was
to take his wife and spend some
weeks there. By that time the
dowager Lady RIVERS would have lel,
Ryversdale and all would be we'll.
Marguerite will like the idea,
hope" said Lord RIVERS.
IF she does not, she will not say
So laughed Lord Lester. Even IL
that case she will acquiesce with a
graceful, gentle smile; but l am sure
she will like it. We will have a nice
circle if visitors, and your beautiful
young wife will take her place at
once. You will find In very short
time she has the world at her feet"
Lord RIVERS was delighted. AS his
mother was determined not to take
Violet by the hand, or help her in
any way, the next best thing was tor
the Countess of Lester to do so. He
had not thought of that; but now he
saw it was the best thing to be done.
There would be no complications, no
unpleasantness with his mother. He
saw smooth seas and bright skies be-
| fore him; the clouds had all disap-
| peared. He was lighter of heart than
| he had been for some time. He
| sprang up the steps of the great
staircase three at time, so impatient
was he to see Violet, and to tell her
that the clouds had broken, and that
the brightest of futures lay before
them
| But no answer came to his i'm
patient summons. When he stood
outside her dressing-room door and
called Violet" there was no re,
Spouse. When he opened the door
and went in, there was no one to be
seen. His heart warmed within him
as he saw traces of her graceful
presence, the flowers and gloves she
had worn, the fan she had used, the
book she had been reading. He rang
the bell. Her maid answered it. He
asked where her mistress was,s and
she replied that her ladyship had gone
out at noon and had not returned.
At first he felt no fear, not KNOWING
what had passed during his absence
Still it was strange that she should &c
out for so long; but then Violet liked
walking.
He went to his dressing-room. His
perpleX1tles were soon ended. Or
his toilet-table, so placed that it must
at once catch his eye, was a letter
directed to himself in his wife's hand
writing.
why did she write to me?" be
thought. How strange, when l shat
see her at dinner. Perhaps her note
it to tell where she has gone"
He felt no uneasiness as he openet
it, but it was evidently no note, hut F.:
closed written letter. What couli
that mean? Then there came to hin
the conviction that there was som:
terrible sorrow in store for him. H