Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-10-27

IL tie midst of all that threatened her
-.oss OF name, wealth, posiuon-it was
almost touching TO note how this worldly
woman counted everything as nothing
compared with her love for Jack.
Lord Summers was one of the guests
at Ma1lingford. He was staying over
the seventeenth and the fussy, kindly
old man was slightly concerned at the
existing state Of affairs. He arrived only
on the Saturday evening, and he was
surprised to find Jack still at the Park.
And when are my pictures to be
completed, Mr.. Dornton:" he asked.
This very question had been a point
of disagreement between Jack and Pau
line. He had wished TO carry out the
commission for those six pictures, and
she had urged the unftness of his earn
ing another penny by his painting after
their marriage. SO he hesitated a little
before he answered.
Are you anxious to have them soon
| am anticipating winter in Rome this
year, and | should like, if possible, to
devote myself while there to a close
study of the old masters. But, if you
are particular as to time, l will finish
your commission before | touch any other
work, of course
mo, l don't think I am exactly in a
hurry, if you are not" and as his lord
ship spoke he thought of the avidity
with which Jack had accepted the offer
when it was originally made, and his
voluntary promise to complete the series
by the end of the year. 80 you mean
to winter in Rome?" he said, pleasant
ly. "And how does Miss Ethel Mallett
like the prospect of so long a separa-
tion?'
Jack Redeemed suddenly, and he hated
himself for it.
L did not know you took enough in
terest in my private affairs to be led
into investigating them" he answered
with a decided touch of displeasure in
his voice.
Nor do l. You are mistaken it is
Miss Mallett's affairs l am interested
in. | beg you will not credit me with
prying into your personal affairs at all
AS [ have spoken on the matter, and
as you seem to resent the iiberty-which
believe me, was not intended as such
l must explain how things are. l met
an old friend Of mine, with his daugh-
ter, at the Exhibition of the Royal Acad-
envy one day last season. l had known
him in years past as an enthusiast in
art, and l was delighted to meet so con
genial a companion" Lord Summers
paused a moment, and looked carefully
round the table; seeing everybody occu
pied in conversation, he went on, in a
slightly lowered voice. my friend has
had many reverses in life, which has ne
cessitated his taking the name of Mr.
Mallett' and have driven him to carr
| a living for himself and his family by
giving lessons in drawing. l see you be
| gin to understand now"-in answer tt
| Jacks start of surprise. ''Well, we went
| through the rooms together and he came
| to a picture of yours. Miss Mallett's
| delight at its position on the line was
eloquent of many things. l looked the
! question l did not dare to ask, and Mr.
| Mallett told me of the engagement be
| tween his daughter and you, and ex
| pressed his wish that she should remain
| in the same class of society that she haC
| been brought up in, in answer to my
| suggestion that she should come to u:
| for a season out of town. Now, perhaps
you will understand my motive in seek
| ing you out to excuse my seemingly i'm
| pertinent curiosity"
Go be continued)