Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-23

connected with you," said he, bowling. |
Il am sure that is meant to be |
very pretty speech; but as about half !
the things | do are not much to my
credit, l fervently hope you will not
keep your word" Then she turned to
Alma, and drawing that lady's arm in
her own, led her to the sofa. I've
called at this unearthly hour to ask
you something" she said, with pretty
seriousness, passing her own soft
fingers caressingly over the other
lady's hand. I've just met Mr.. Cros-
mont in the village, and he tells me
you are getting quite i'll and depressed
because you never go out. And so
I've come to ask you to let me take
you back to The Crags with me to
luncheon. We've got a few people
there now, and though 1 can't plead
that they are highly interesting, still
you'll have the satisfaction of giving
them pleasure, for they've all heard
great deal about you, and are very
anxious to know you. Now do say
| you'll come, please. Your husband is
going to lunch with us, as you know;
and if only these gentlemen also will
honor us with their society, we shall
! be awfully pleased to have them"
Thank you, Lady Kildonan," said
Alma, with GOODNESS which could not
fail to seem ungracious after the eff
fusive warmth of the invitation. ut is
very good of you to think of me, but
| have a very great deal to do today
and cannot avail myself of your kind
ness"
"Oh, don't be so disagreeable!
cried Lady Kildonan, pouting like a
spoilt child. You never will come
and see me. You are as formal as if
we were two old dowagers. l wish
you wouldn't be so dreadfully digni-
fed. You remind me of what l ought
to be with those regal airs of yours. -
My position is not the same as
yours. If it were, 1 should not require
regal airs either
She tried to say this playfuIly, but
Armathwaite, who knew more Of the
situation than anybody guessed, de
tected a heart-wrung break in her
voice which brought lump into his
throat. Lady Kildonan, who seemed
bent on conciliating the other lady
tried a different tone, and spoke again
with a plaintive note in her voice too
Your position is, at any rate, a
much happier one than mine" she
said, looking straight in front Of her
with child-like blue eyes, in a distract
ing manner. You haven't got a hus
, band who thinks of nothing but his
= books, and looks at you as il he
thought it pity you were not bound
in half-calf!"
She turned her eyes Ianguidly il
the direction Of the gentlemen, anG
seeing a smile on their faces, she fel
to laughing outright herself
Nobody will believe I'm unhappy;
and really perhaps things might be
, worse" she said, good-houmoredIy
l only the way in which you glide
about with mournful eyes gains every
l body's sympathy, and makes me seen
vulgar and bouncing"
Noulo CI CcIl z 1O1 L11S appear dl1Ct
; Of unhappiness at the price OF being
unhappy, them" asked Alma, gravely
I'm not quite sure that could b.
unhappy. Nothing seems worth the
: while. I can be cross when anybody
> thwarts me, but | suppose you won
l allow that that is the same thing?"
! A certain bright archness in he
, manner charmed the gentlemen, bu
seemed to have a different effect upo1
her fellow-woman.
cit is question of temperament
4 said Alma, quietly, land perhaps alst
: of climate. This lake-country doesn'
Y agree with me, and I'm going ava!
' shortly for change of air."
. Armathwaite, who was talking tt
! Mr.. CrOsmont, but with eyes and ear
r on the alert, saw a fierce light, like {
flash struck from steel, dart out o
: Lady Kildonan's handsome blue eyes
| For a moment she made no answer
2 then, with a bright laugh, she spranE
= up to go.
a To be continued.