Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-21
Continued.

taught and unframed SCnOOlDOy, he
has been charmed with some rustic
blooming face, and has married
the girl without any consideration
as to how we should like
it, or any thought of his
own position Oh, Marguerite, what
shall we do? 1t is the first low mar,
riage in the family
"You cannot call it low marriage,
mamma" put in Monica Low
means something disreputable, does it
not? Randolph said she was a doe
tors daughter She must be educated
and refined"
"a country DOCTOR" groaned Lady
RIVERS. And the professions in
these days are thrown open to every
one. Oh Marguerite, what shall we
do?'
e cannot see that there is anything
to be done, mamma; the affair is
hopeless" said Lady Lester "In this
case a young man married is indeed a
a young man married. Randolph has
ruined his career"
Another crusher," thought Monica,
who would fain have uttered a word in
praise of her brother.
Beauty" She said, "as you know,
mamma, goes for something in these
days | read yesterday that one Of
the peculiarities of the nineteenth
century was the power and influence
Of beauty. If Randolph's wife be, as
he says, lovely, surely that will atone
in some degree for other deficiencies
will it not?'
Beautiful women are not so rare in
our family answered Lady RIVERS,
musingly.
Randolph has plenty of taste, -
said the Countess Of Lester. Il do
not think any rustic beauty would
charm him
He has married for love-" remark
ed Lady RIVERS, piteously; "and love
is proverbially blind."
Randolph was never blind" said
Monica. Mamma, do not be so I'M
happy Wait until you see her"
On some preteyt Lady RIVERS sent
Monica from the room.
Marguerite" she said, hastily, 81
want just one word with you before
she returns. | have been wondering
if this marriage be legal"
legal, mamma, l should say so.
Randolph may have been very impru-
dent but he would take good care of
that"
4 am not so sure, said Lady
RIVERS, thoughtfully.
There are many formalities, many
things needed to make a marriage
legal do not know what they all
are-such as residence in parishes,
consent of parents, guardians, and
many other things
But, mamma" cried Lady Lester,
you would not surely part them #
there should be any flaw
Most certainly. l would part them
today if | could find the least flaw in q
marriage which is perfectly distaste-
full to me"
THAT would be wicked, mamma, -
said the young Countess.
Not at all, my dear. l consider the
marriage wicked. I would Undo it if
could. 1t is monstrous and I'M
naturaI-the head of house like ours
to marry il this u0derhand fashion a
girl of that kind and that class, It is
enough to make his father rise from
the grave
My dear mamma, what dreadful
idea." said Lady Lester.
fo,,
tinued Lady RIVERS, because 7 know
that, although you are so quiet, you
understand the world. / want to con
suit you. Do you not think we had
better keep this unfortunate matter
quite quiet, for a few weeks at least
until we see what she is like, anj
whether there is any chance of undo
ing the mischief done?"
i should think it would be as vel
not to make it public for some time al
least. But, mamma I will have moth
ing to do with the undoing of the mar
riage. l do not believe in it. I cannot
think that the want of some little
legal form can render invalid a religI
GUS ceremony"
II you take high grounds, certainly
not said Lady RIVERS.
There are no other grounds tt
take" returned the Countess, serene
ly. But l should certainly advise
YOU to keep the whole story quiet 81
long as Randolph will allow you: il
the meantime, if she spends some few
weeks here with you and Monica, you
will see what she is like, and whethe
1t will be possible to do anything Will
her"
I wish, Marguerite, you would
stay; you would be so much more use
full than Monica. Arthur will come i
you ask him"
Il am sure he would, and l SHOULD
like it, mamma. l know that coul
be of use to YOU
And so it was arranged
CHAPTER Xxx.
1t was seven O'clock-dinner ha
been ordered for eight-and there wa
subdued air Of excitement in tn
Ryyersdale household. 1t had bee
found needful to tell the servants tina
the young lord was bringing home
wife. Lady RIVERS would fain hav
kept it from them if she could. He
one idea was to keep it secret from a
the world In spite of all that cor
science said about the matter. she wa
quite resolved that, if it were possibl
to find flaw in the marriage.
should be annulled.
How keenly she suffered, no on
could guess. She had been so prou