Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-07-17

he was SO ready 10 learn, and so quiet and
persistent about everything he undertook
that Mr. Lindsay was delighted with his
bargain. He was extremely reticent at
first, but by degrees he had grown more
free and once or twice supplied them
with such genial flow of wit and spirits
that Mr. Lindsay had declared himself
unable to see what sent him there, man
of his abilities.
And now word in regard to Mr.. Lind
SAYS embalrassments For three consec-
utive seasons the harvests had been ex-
tremely light in this section, scarcely
paying for the outlaying of money and
labor, to say nothing of profit. Then the
expense of living was considerable. for
ten persons required no small amount of
food, to make no mention of garments
that will wax old. Added to this was a
long and severe illness, lasting all winter
and running him behind to such an ex.
tent, that he saw no other way TO go on
with his work than to hire money. This
it was next to impossible to do, and after
some pretty severe struggles with his
pride, he so far Overcame it as to write to
Julian Richardson, second cousin, living
in New Orleans, and reputed very wealthy.
He had never seen him, but had heard
that he was unmarried and somewhat
eccentric. And so, in this strait he
ventured to appeal to him. He wrote the
first letter in February, but ii was unan
swered. After waiting in a state of nerv
Gus anxiety and suspense for two or three
weeks, he wrote again. This time his
letter was returned, after being opened,
but without a line or word in answer. He
struggled along month or two more,
and then he went to see Amos Wilson,
with the final result / have heretofore de-
scribed
The days slipped away like golden sands
and the summer grew in beauty and
brightness to Della Lindsay. The sun
shine tell into her heart as softly as it cap
ped the green, blossomy hills The daily
drudgery of toll became suddenly tighten
ed and Illuminated by this same golden
glow, and the world grew dear, and life
looked only a sweet and beautiful dream.
Into this supreme atmosphere, one day,
a sudden cloud broke. 1t had been no
larger than mans hand; for weeks she
had not discovered it, and was therefore
totally unprepared for the great darkness
that came upon her She had returned
from a long ramble over the prairie, her
hands loaded with blossoms, and stood bv
the door describing their names and habits
to Paul Leicester, whose grave face was
sottened into rare, tender smile, when
ever the pretty brown eyes and wild-rose
checks were lifted to his face
Della, my dear, [ want you a mo-
ment," her father said, coming out of the
entry.
Without word she followed him,in,
the blossoms still in her hands, and some
Of them dropped to the floor as she walk
ed
Come in this way, my child" Mr..
Lindsay said, passing before her and open
ing the dor into the parlor, where sharp
ly outlined against the sunset sky, stood
Amos Wilson, his back to the window and
his great, ungainly form showing in bold
relief against the light.
Somehow the feeling Of depression
which had so weighed her down on the
day the homestead was mortgaged came
upon her again, and she felt her face grow
white and rigid
Mr. Lindsay closed the door carefully,
and came forward to his daughters side.
Della" he said, struggling to appear
calm, Mr.. Wilson has done me the honor
to ask permission to pay his court to my
daughter. [ have told him my girl is
free to answer for herself-what shall it
be, Della :"
Della cast one quick glance into her
fathers face, and saw all its eager hope
and anxiety Then she turned to Amos
Wilson, who had taken step forward
and was looking at her sharply from IN
der his low brows, his pale face burning
with faint Opaline tints. InvOluntarily she
shuddered and drew back.
:" | do not love Mr. Wilson, father" she
said family
But YOU can learn to love him, Della?"
he asked quickly, his lips twitching ner-
vously.
NO, father, l cannot" she answered,
this time firmly. Il thank Mr.. Wilson
for the honor he has done me, but I do
not love him, and YOU do not ask me to
marry man l do not love, father"
No, my child do not ask that" he
said gently, but with a chord of sadness
md disappointment in his voice.
Poor Dellathow suddenly the cloud had
descended and enveloped her With
heavy heart she crcpt softly out and left
The two men together She knew what
her refusal had meant to her father. She
knew the load which chafed and frettcd
him so might have been lifted with a sim
pie movement of her lips, and yet she had
not given it-she could not give it! Drop
ping her blossoms as she went, she hur-
lied out II a little arbor Of old vines in
he garden, and there, alone with the pity
ng twilight and the stars, she sobbed out
he first bitterness Of her regret and pain.
She heard Mr. Wilson come out and 90
away, and then, little later, heard a step
n the garden-a step that sent the blood
n fierce, sudden torrent to her heart, |
md then to her cheeks.
GU are not repenting so soon, Della?"
and Paul Leicester came and took the
vet flushed face between his cool palms,
enderly.
ooh, | couldn't marry that man; why
should he ever think of such a thing?'
Della asked, pitifully 'And father"
She stopped abruptly, but he felt how hot
Ter cheeks grew against his hands, and |
Knew what She would have said
HE is rich, little Della"
Il know it," said Della, with a little |
choking Sob
And l am only your fathers laborer,
md yet | have dared to love the same |
ady. What do you suppose he will say
% my presumption, if she refuses this |
'ich man so cavalierly?"
You? 90, Mr.. Leicester Don't
mock men' She broke down in another
Hood of tears, ana Mr.. Leicester comfort
ed her with great many fond words,
which would not look half so delightful
and charming in print as they really were,
from the fact that certain things are uni
versally pronounced silly, unless one hap
pens to be of the druDaatas personB-then
they are better and more to be desired
than the wisdom of Solomon