Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-11-30
CHAPTER XVI.


buds quite fortnight earlier than usual
young fellow named harrington, the
s'n OF friend of Sir Geoffrey's youth,
had been among the Christmas visitors
at Mallingford, and it was soon appar-
ent that he had fallen desperately in
love with sweet-faced Ethel. He was
most estimable young man, with a
substantial rent roll, and he went to Sir
Godfrey and asked his consent, feeling
quite satisfied as to what would be the
result
Then Sir Godfrey spoke to Ethel,
and was astonished on receiving an en-
phatic refusal, coupled with the declara-
ton that her heart was not her own to
bestow. So, Sir Godfrey. bearing in
mind the girls happy excitement over
Pelling's letter, which contained moth
ing but accounts Of Dorntons industry
talent and success, put two and two to-
gether and decided that she was still true
to her first love. He was a little dis
appointed that it should be SO; out he
had married for love himself, and he was
not going to attempt TO influence his
daughter in the selection of her husband.
So warm invitation was sent to the
roaming artists, and Ethel settled down
into beatific state of anticipation; and
one soft spring day toward the end of
April they arrived.
Sir Godfrey actually drove over him
self to meet them, and Ethel put on her
prettiest hat and accompanied him. She
did not go on the platform with her
father, but sat there watching the few
passengers pass by ones and twos
through the little station door. She won
Iprpi hn tbor,
At last her father came out, and with
hlm handsome sun-burnt br0ad-shOul-
dered, bearded giant, whom Ethel re-
graded with no little surprise. Could
this self-possessed, courteous creature be
Jack-her Jack, whom she used to chide
sometimes for his little mistakes. who
had often confessed that he owed what
little polish he had to his intercourse
with her and her father? She was so
astonished at the change in the man
and his manners that some of her feeling
found its way into her face.
How changed you a-e" she had al
most said improved" You look as if
You had enjoyed your winter very much"
have; but L hope to enjoy my
spring better"
Something in the words Jared Ethel's
nice sense of tact She glanced quick
~ ut him, blushed again, and changed
the subject.
where's Captain Polling, papaY"
That gentleman stepped forward from
behind the pillar of the portico where,
with a strange longing. he had stood
watching the eloquent little pantomime
of bushes and glances that had just
taken place. The girl looked at him for
a moment in even greater surprise than
she had ut Jack. She grew very pale,
then extended It'll hands quickly.
Il am so glad to see you again." she
said, though | am sorry to see you look
ing so tired. 1 don't think travelling
agrees with you. You must stay at Mall
ingford, and be nursed until you are
quite we'll"
A dusky red-called up perhaps by
the warmth of her greeting-suddenly
spread over his face, then left it again
as colorless as before.
Il am all right" he returned, smiling
at the anxious look in her eyes. I'm
as hard as nails; nothing ever ails me-"
I'VE won't argue the question now"
she said, with her usual brightness. "Are
all your belongings right? Let us get
home, then, and have some luncheon; |
am absolutely famished. Come, papa"
The three men took their seats in the
roomy barouche, and the talk became
general Ethel leaning back In her cor
ner, and taking mental note of the trou-
BILE and suffering written so unmistaka-
bly, on Pellings face did not notice that
she in turn was being watched as closely
by some one else, who, by the end of the
fve-mile drive, had come to the conclu-
sion that he had been decoyed to Mall
ington under false prctenses, and had
made up his mind to take the first OPP
portunity of ascertaining the truth from
her own lips. But the opportunity did
not present itself so readily as ne had
hoped, and three days passed without
q chance of q tete-a-tete. On the fourth,
however, things changed. 1t was the
day of the private view at the Academy.
Of course Sir Godfrey, by the right of
his old associations, had the entree; so
equally, Of course, had Jack as an ex-
hibitor.
The rooms were, as usual, crowded to
excess Jack and Sir Godfrey were in
front, and Ethel was with Polling Jack
turned suddenly, with his face aglow and
his ewes shining, and said, in a proud
whisper:
"Pelling, it's on the line"'
Polling pressed forward and shook
him stealthily by the hand. Ethel saw
the movement and for a moment wished
she was a man to inspire such friend
ship as existed between these two; then
she offered her congratulations warmly
and sincerely.
The other two passed on, leaving Ethel
with Jack to take note of the points of
the picture. Jack, Selling the opportu-
nifty bent his head and whispered:
DO you remember my water-color of
last year?'
ITO he sure" she answered, without
any sign beyond a slight increase of color
that the memory was a disquieting one.
How much has happened since then
that / could wish undonew
And l, also"
do you mean thatT
why should say it unless did?"
Jack looked excited. 1t was an awk-
ward place to make an avowal of love.
certainly, but he would not lose the op-
portunity she had given him. He leaned
forward and pointed out some flaw in
4 picture before them, without in the
least knowing what he was saying, then
whispered close to her ear:
''And do you really love me still? And
may / try to redeem my past folly by
loving you more than ever?'
CHAPTER XVII.
Ethels answer completely staggered
Jack.
fsThere are two questions, and they
require two answers" she replied, in a