Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-14

out my knowledge: I will not speak of
my consent.
Randolph married." cried Lady
lLester-and for once the delicate
brows were arched-''married without
, informing you, mamma? That is
very wrong
Il knew you would feel it, Mar
guerite, although you are not given to
! displays of emotion; | knew you must
feel it. Monica persists in attempting
to comfort me; you will not try.
You know such blow as this has
has shattered me?"
Then Monica came forward. If she
loved any one on earth, it was her
brother Randolph, with his beautiful
face and poets soul. She formed a
complete contrast to her stately moth
er and sister. Monica RIVERS was not
tall, she had a slight, girlish figure,
about which there was nothing re-
markable except it's supple grace.
She walked well, danced well, moved
We'll She had not the statuesque
elegance that distinguished Mar
/
would have flown through
six rooms while the stately
beauty crossed one Her charm
| lay in her quick, light, active
movements. She was the very child
| of impulse. She was not beautiful, in
the common acceptation of the word,
although she had Irish eyes, and hair
that was black and waving. Hers was
a face that, without being noticeabIy
| lovely, yet flashed intelligence, was
full Of sparkle and of fire. full of wit
and humor, and capable of any
amount of pathos With smiles and
tears always close together, she was
mother to understand.
why do you laugh?' she would ask
her at times; and again, ''Why do you
cry?' she would say, when the girls
face flushed with passion or paled
with emoti~n.
Lady Ry yers would have found it
easier to have read Greek volume or
translated Hebrew than to have under
stood her charming, impulsive, gifted
child. She came forward slowly now;
that constant reference to her attempt
at consolation troubled her
Mamma, dear, if | knew what bet
ter to say, I would say it," she said.
1T is better to be silent than to
give utterance to foolish platitudes,"
returned Lady RIVERS. How many
times this day have you told me that
what cannot be. cured must be en-
dured?"
1T is perfectly true, mamma said
the girl.
so it may be; but that is no earthly
reason why you should repeat it."
Monica" said Lady Lester, cit
would be better for you to be silent;
you never did understand mamma"
Il only want to comfort her. I can
not bear to see her so unhappy
But tell you there is nc comfort"
cried Lady RIVERS. ooh, Marguerite,
my heart is broken,"
NAY, mamma, let us hope it is not
quite so bad as that" said Lady
Lester.
But she asked no questions as to
who her sister-in-law was, or any
thing about her.
cit is as bad as it can be, Mar
guerite. He has married some poor
obscure girl without birth, fortune, or
anything else to recommend her"
Except beauty put in Monica.
Yes" allowed Lady RIVERS, with
some irritation, Except beauty. Now
Thorns and Orange Blossoms ....4I
what is to be done? 1t is our social
ruin. He is the head of the House of
RIVERS. What is to be done, Mar
guerite?"
When that most serene of women
did utter an opinion, it was very often
what her sister. with some Justice,
called "crusher." This was the sort
of opinion she uttered now.
cit is mischievous affair" she said,
"and I cannot see how it is to be
mitigated. I always thought" she
said slowly, that Randolph meant to
marry Gwendoline MARI
He ought to have married her" re-
piled Lady RIVERS. marguerite, I
shall never face the world. | shall
leave England, and never return"
The Countess of Lester sat for some
time in silence, and, curiously enough.
this silence was more consoling to her
mother than all Monica's well-meant
efforts
Mamma" said Monica, as though
she had just made a SUDDEN discovery.
''you may rely upon it, Randolph has
married for love-"
To be continued