Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-05-13

For what was he? A walking taIlorss
| advertisement, a charming partner in a
dance, a courteous gentleman, a willing
servant to his aunt. No more
Yet when Edna wandered with her
new mistress over the Old World, enjoy
ing with keen zest the intellectual,
artistic and musical treat spread before
her, she turned mentally to Walter for
congenial pleasure. When the vapid
praise or weak criticism of the fashion
able invalid was poured into her ears,
she wondered how Walters clear brain
would have viewed the same object.
Her home memories were not very
pleasant ones to her soul, full of sordid
cares, of mean shifts, of shallow pre-
tense, and she rested upon those Of her
Cousin Walter, floating upon them to
rosy dreamlands till stung to life again
by the fact of her rejection of his hand
and her reasons for that step.
Viewed through the medium Of this
rose-haze of memory she Goftened to her
discarded lover, thinking of the chivalry
Of his wooing, the unselfshness of his
love. She knew well that Mrs. Ambrose
MontgOmery's heir might have chosen
a bride amongst the wealthiest; that
Walters handsome face, undoubted tai
ents and courtly manners would have
won him true love among the most fas-
tidious. And yet he had turned from all
these to choose her, penniless girl,
whose education was, for the most part,
self-imparted, who was quick-tempered
and unpopular. In spite of her beauty,
she knew well that she often owed it to
Walter and his efforts that she was not a
Wall-foWer in social gatherings.
He loved her, and she had shut her
heart to his love. She did not regret that
home Of luxury he could have com
manded for her, the probable fortune
she would have shared with him, but in
her bitter loneliness she hungered for
the sound Of his tender voice, the love of
his pleading eyes.
For four years she wandered hither
and thither across the Old World at the
caprice of her employer. Then a law
yer's letter informed her of her Aunt
Lucille's DEATH and her own inheritance
Of $4,000 and superbly-bound copy of
the Olives Of the Pilgrim Fathers"
Mrs. Montgomery's one literary effort,
being collection OF all her own cut
tings upon the subject.
She was glad to go home again, glad to
end her uncongenial bondage. At the
steamers arrival her Cousin Walter met
her. There was new beauty upon his
handsome faco-the beauty of purpose,
of noble content. He had. hack in
waiting and drove first to hotel for
breakfast. In the private parlor where
it was served he told her:
edna, want to thank you"
"Thank me?' she said, wondering.
For awakening me from slothful
dream to an object in life. Do you know
how / have spent the last four years."
"With Aunt Montgomery, have you
not?"
"Certainly would not desert her in
old age when [ was certainly comfort
to her. But I studied medicine, won a
diploma, and have now a practice. 1t is
large, Edna. but not very lucrative, being
among the very poor for the most part.
But l have found what you told me l
lacked, cousin-a purpose in life, field
for labor where / hope I am not alto
gether useless"
Il congratulate you with all my heart"
she said, impulsively, holding out both
hands.
81 want more that that Edna. Your
words opened my eyes to my own waste
of life but, though l find my time busily
filled, my heart wants something more.
Edna, all the old love there cries out for
you. Can you love me a little now?"
mot little,'' she said In low voice,
her cheeks flushing rosily, but with my
whole heart, Walter"
"Then will you grant me my hope and
be married here and now, coming to my
old home as my wife, to help me in the
life-work to which your words guided
me?"
And Edna, loving him, granted his
wish, and in his old home proves, as he
hoped, a true wife and helpmate in his
noble works of charity and usefulness
| Hearth and Home.