Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-06

her, and fancy that he did it to avoid
very rich man, Elsie darling, but not
great yet. That 1 must try to be, now
that the riches are NINE"
The words were spoken very slowly and
very thoughtfully, and they fell upon my
heart as heavy shadow sometimes falls
upon sunny spot.
He had to start for Devonshire so early
in the morning, he said, that he must bid
us good bye then. His grandmother
would not hear of his leaving her again
that day. We all shook hands with him
as we stood round the fire then he hur-
ried away, saying he should be late for
dinner as he had to go round to the
Priory.
He speaks of the place in tone of
proprietcrship already" papa said, laugh
ing little. 1T will be good to have
such neighbor. 1 wish had him for a
patron. He will go into Parliament, of
course, and be great man, as he says"
Poor Mr.. Duncan" mamma said, as
she and | went up stairs. And whether
it was because thought of him, or be-
cause | thought of myself, / don't know,
but the joy and sunshine of that Christ
mas-day were gone. | had no fire in my
bedroom, else think | should have sat
before it all that night, wondering and
wondering. Yet | dare say that would
not have made things any clearer to me
than they seemed, as stood for those few
minutes at the staircase window. 1t was
tonight that l was to have told him
whether the home he said he dreamed of
should be his. Another home had been
given given him now, which took him
in one way-far from me. He was free
Since l had not accepted his love, he
could not think himself bound to me, and
would go into different world now, and
see how much more wisely he could
choose.
~ know he will be a great man." l
whispered to myself, "and will rejoice
in it as live on quietly here. Perhaps
sometimes, when he feels tired of his
state and grandeur, he will like to rest a
few minutes in the old garden with its
wonderful scents and unexpected cor
ners'; and | shall be his friend-only his
friend, but always true to him in my
heart, whether he knows it or not. Oh,
am so glad that could not tell him last
night how loved him!"
Yet though l said that l was glad
th' ugh pictured the quiet friendship I
should feel for him-my heart would
Ucdt 81 Qu1CklJ WuCu tuc leltcTS CAME
that dared not trust myself to look at
them; and while waited for them to be
claimed, each breath l drew hurt me with
a quick, sharp pain.
Week after week went by, and no IT,
dings came of him-no tidings for us, at
least. Sometimes old Mrs. Gotto told us
where he was, but not often, and never
what he was doing. Spring came. The
roses and Jasmine on the white walls of
my home blossomed in their first, fresh
beauty, looking in at my window, and re-
minding me of many happy spring time
past, while the birds sang hopefully of
many a happy spring to come. But
still he never came.
Dreamily, in its full and perfect beauty,
the summer followed; on all the land
lay its flashing, radiant smile but
through these long, bright days he did
not come.
listened to the reapers singing at their
work; l listened to the lark echoing their
song among the soft, white clouds; but
through all the joyous music of the au-
tumn days there rang for me sad, sad
strain, because he did not come. Slowly
there crept to my feet the lengthening
shadows ofthe winter, whose coming l
sorely dreaded.