Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-27

81 know it is in the highest degree
selfish to inf1ict on you recital of what
may not interest you; but have tried
to keep my secret buried from human
eyes, from all but hers, and you are now
ever said, L love- As intimate as have
been with your brother, if he knows it,
it is by his penetration, for no word of
acknowledgement has ever passed my
lips before. May go ONT" he asked.
ooh yes" answered, taken by sur
prise. ~ suppose SO. It is a relief to
talk, and to listen, I have told you, is my
VOCATION
Glow long can you listen?" he ques-
toned, in delighted eagerness.
fancied he would have to be allow
anced, and held up my paper pattern
before me: ''This bouquet of flowers is
to be transferred. l will give you all the
time it will take to do it. Remember,
the catastrophe must be reached by that
time Some one else will probably want
M ear"
But" said he, listening is not the
only duty of confidante; you must aid
| me by your counsel. Only woman may
say how a woman may be won.'
"You have my sympathies, MIR. Ire
mont, on the score of your being very
dear brothers friend. I know nothing
| of her-next to nothing of you. | can
neither counsel nor aid you"
'That brother is familiar with every
page of my outward life-history. 1t was
in our family he spent his vacation, while
you and your father were travelling in
Europe"
"Well, then, that will do about youl-
self. Now about herr"
The door bell was rung; the waiter
announced-well, my obliging brother
has already given enough of his name
"Mr. J. B." My confessor withdrew
The next morning, as was bringing
the freshened t1ower-vases into the sitting
room, he brought out my bag, saying,
Now about her."
/ opened the piano, repeated his favor
lie, kept my seat and cultivated my roses
vigorously.
s>Miss -" he began, ~ would not
knowingly give pain to a human crea-
ture. Yesterday, when your visitor found
me by your side, | observed a frown on
his face. | detest obtrusiveness, but if
there is anything in the relation in which
you stand to each other which will make
my attentions Objectionable to either of
you, they shall cease this moment. You
are at perfect liberty to repeat to him
every word | have said to you"
81 thank you sincerely for your con-
siderateness,' said. Il am under no
obligations Of the kind to him or any
other gentleman.
He introduced his topic by saying: 81
am glad that shall have to say little
more of myself Oh, what a strange joy
it is to be able to speak unreservedly of
her, and of the long pent-up hopes and
fears of the past years! And now, if you
will assist me in interpreting her conduct
toward me-if you will inspire me with
even a faint hope of success-if you will
advise me as you would q brother how to
proceed-gratitude will be too weak a
word for my feeling toward you for the
remainder Of my life
q have not yet sufficient light on her
part of the affair to aid you by advice"
I answered. "In these slowly develop
ing love-affairs there is usually but one
great hindering cause Do you know"
| said, laughing as much as | dared, look
ing into his woe-begone face, ''that you
have not told me what has passed be-
tween YOU %
His moment Or two Of death silence
made me almost regret my last words.
I'm the first Of our acquaintance was
ever tortured by her indifference. My
first attentions were quietly received,
never encouraged. Then came the still
more torturing fear-agony let me call
it--lest she was pre-engaged. Thank
God! That burden was lifted from my
poor heart but only, it seemed, to make
room for the very one of all in the cata-
lOgue Of causes by which lovers hope
dies beyond the possibility Of a resurrec-
ton. IT is the rock-no, fear the placid
waters Of friendship into which my
frieghted bark is now driftlng-Which
may lie between it and the bright isle OF
love, the safe harbor he shuddered |,
" not the blissfu1 possession"
Reader, the roses were not growing
under my needle: my sympathies were al
last fully enlisted.
''Yo GU have we'll said" I answered
Friendship is the nine notch in which
q lover makes no count in the game oil
hearts. But steer bravely past these dark
CULTS of despair. Have you ever had re-
course to jealousy in your desperation?"
inquired.
Il scorn such base ally. Your broth
er can tell you am here partly because
would avoid increasing an affection in an.
other which | cannot return"
"Does she know of that?" [ asked, not
at all prepared in my own mind to yield
the potency of the ally in my sincere de
sire to aid him by this test of woman's
affection.
eyes; have no reason, however, fol
thinking that the fact has raised her esti
mate of the article" he said, making a
poor attempt to smile.
felt ashamed of nay suggestion, and
said quickly, you correspond, of course
how are her letters?' Now | was sure OF
my safest clue in finding her out.
"It was through the medium Of hel
letters that I first obtained my knowledge
of her mind, her temperament, he1
: disposition, her admirable domestic vir.
tues; for they were written without re.
serve. They excited my highest admira-
ton; they stimulated my desire to know
more of her; but they contain no word OF
love for me-"
His want of boldness almost excited my
contempt. My skill was baffed on every
side, and. not caring much to conceal my
Impotence, said, You have asked me
to admire you as | would my brother. She
is cold and selfish; give her up''
Give her up!' he said with measured
and emphatic slowness-"give her up,
when | have sought her beneath every
cline on which the sun shines-not for
months, but for years? Give her up,
when her presence gives me all have
ever known Of happiness? Giver her upn'
and he leaned his head on the back of his
chair and closed his eyes.
| had imagined him gifted with won