Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-01

stronger became the temptation to take
ten minutes rest. He yielded at last,
and found the mound an excellent pillow.
Before he had enjoyed two of the al
lotted ten minutes rest, his open locket,
containing a portrait of Ethel, dropped
from his hand, and a myriad of gnats
buzzed and whizzed in happy freedom
round his head. Jack Dornton was fast
asleep.
At that moment a woman came Gid
ing by in full view of the easel. She
was woman of surprising loveliness,
tall, stately, with mass of golden plaits
coiled round and round her head, full
melting brown eyes and ripe red lips,
skin rivaling the peach in it's delicate
coloring, and a carriage queenly in its
every movement. Her dainty cambria
gown, cunningly made to more express
than hide her FORM" trained carelessly
among the ivy roots and brambes be-
hind her. Her simple straw hat she car
ried in her hand, and her whole air sug-
gested the pretty maiden meditation
fancy free"
She gave a well-feigned start when she
had come we'll in view of Jacks easel.
1t was not pleasant to watch the swift
change that came over the beautiful face
as she marked the vacant seat and
thought herself alone. 1t revealed I'M
mistakably the defects of her chara cter
as indicated in the cruel little curves at
the corners of the mouth, which were
generally concealed beneath the pretty
conhding smile that from long practice
had become habitual with her.
Advancing cautiously, she glanced
around, and soon discovered Jacks
wherea bouts. She went quickly to the
easel, and critically examined the morn
| ing's work. Turning aside, she remarked
to herself, with such decided talent
and such an appearance, he would be
sure to succeed if he were properly taken
up" She then walked on tip toe to
Jack, and scrutinized him quite as crit
ically as she had scrutinized his work,
and evidently with as much approval.
Then her quick eye detected the open
locket by his side.
She looked carefully at the sleeper and
having assured herself of the soundness
of his slumbers, went down upon her
knees by his side, the better to examine
| the portrait.
| She started visibly when her eyes fell
upon the sweet face smiling at her from
the tiny trinket. She rose quickly and
walked away a few yards.
80 she is this landscape painters
| village maidenr" she muttered vindic
lively Surely there is some fatality in
his coming here! l can't be mistaken,
it is the same insipid babyishly pretty
face that Lord Summers pointed out to
me in the park the other day. And she
| - 81
haps he thinks he loves her. Well, we
| shall see what we shall seer
There was a significant glitter in her
fine eyes, and an instantaneous tighten
| ing Of the red lips seemed to tell of
hard, cruel heart beneath the fair ex-
terror. But the expression of her face
changed as if by magic when Jack roll
ed over on to his side and showed signs
of waking. She had posed gracefully
before the easel, and awaited him.
Il believe I've been asleep" he MUIR
INJURED drowsiy, raising himself on one
elbow, when his eyes fell upon the daz-
zling loneliness of the girl so earnestly
| regarding his picture; and in the first
glimpse of Pauline Mailing, Jacks senses
and artistic perceptions were alike rous-
ed, and, sprnging to his feet he went
| toward the easel.
Il beg your pardon for the liberty
| have taken in examining your picture"
murmured the woodland nymph melodi-
ousy. Il hope | did not disturb you.
| May | be allowed to continue my inspec-
| tion?'
Jack, hardly awake even yet, NUT
| tered something about ''too much hon
or"
You are Mr.. Dornton, are you not?"
she continued. still looking at the pic
ture, and giving Jack time to pull him
self together. Lord Summers told me
he was going to ask you to make a pic
| ture of my house,
1t was Miss Mailing then. and no
| woodland nymph, after all. Jack felt dis
appointed, though he could not tell why
Il suppose you will remain here for
some days. May l offer you little hos
pitality during your stay? The village
inns arc, | believe, wretchedly uncomfort-
able, and l should not like a friend of
my guardians to be driven to their shell
ter while | am at home. We are two
| lonely women just now, and but dull COM
pany, | fear; but we will do our best to
make you comfortable for this week at
| least. Next week | am off again until
the end of the season, and shall have
to leave you to the mercies of the SER
wants. Say you will come"
Thank you very much, Jack began
hestatingly; but l did not anticipate
in fact, | made no preparation-'
rs that the only difficulty?" she in
terrupted gently. Pray don't let that
stand in the way. Mrs. Seton and l
will shut our eyes to the enormity of
morning coat at dinner, and will promise
| to think no less of you on that account.
We dine at half past seven, so that we
may have an hour or two of these lovely
summer evenings in the gardens"
Jack raised his soft felt hat, and
watched her graceful figure as she glided
away down the dim leafy vista of the
wood. He wished that she had stayed
longer, that he might still be looking into
| her glorious eyes, watching the ever
changing lights that came and went as
rapidly as scudding clouds across a sum-
mer sky. When at last curve in the
path hid her from view he turned again
| his work with a heavy sigh, wishing
it was already half past seven.
CHAPTER III.
snow you are to consider yourself
quite at home, Mr.. Dornton," Miss Nal
| ling said. as she rose from the table.
Stay and mediate here in solitude, or