Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-25

" Miss Emilia is in the garden" said
the servant. He would call her; but
Mr.. Jack preferred to follow her there;
perhaps the fragrance of the flowers
might sweeten what he had to say.
" Just the way with counting folks,
thought the old servant; they mostly
takes to gardening and that sort of
trash" Down through the blooming al
legs Jack strobe, blossoms wasting at ev-
cry STEP blue sky and sunshine SHIN
mering overhead in network of leaves,
the silver fretting of the fountain half
lost amidst the chirrup of birds calling
among the boughs, and gold-dusted bees
humming in the flower-cups, till he
reached the second terrace, where Emil
las gown Of white seeded muslin be-
mer-house.
Half an hour later a pale woman went
aimlessly wandering down the same gar
den path-a woman who idly dipped her
hands in the fountain, and broke spray
of roses here to drop further on, as if
they failed to give her the consolation
she craved-a woman with a sad, far
away look in her soft eyes, with weary
manner, as if life had lost its flavor, but
must still be lived out faithfully all the
same. On she stepped, noiselessly brush
ing the box with her somber gown, with
eyes upon the ground, and her thoughts
great way off, when, suddenly looking up,
she saw some one walking by Emilia's
side on the terrace belCw-sOme one who
paused presently and bent to her
cheek with a lovers caress. What was
there familiar in the scene to the silent
spectator except the eternal sameness in
all love-making? Just so had Jack
Cheselden embraced herself, in the be-
wildering dusk of the city depot, only
year ago! Was this one way Of love?
She did not faint nor cry out, as heroine
ought to have done; she only stood still
one bitter moment regarding them, &C
cepting the situation, trying to find ex-
cuses for him in her own heart; then she
turned away and passed out of the gar
den as slowly as she had entered
AS might be guessed, Emilia had play
fully chided Jack for his sins, received
his confession, and granted absolution
gracefully; and Jack had groaned ir
spirit, but had borne his part in the
grand tableau with tolerable effect, as
we have seen. 1t so happened that the
home in which Dawn had found shelter
was neighboring to the domain of the
Belgravias; the gardens led into each
other in friendly wise, and each house
hold was at liberty to make itself at
home in either grounds; but Dawn never
walked in the Belgravias' garden again
after that morning; yet, as her own as
we'll as the school-room where she taught
the young Deuceacres to "put a girdle
round the EARTH" looked out broadly
upon the EMPOWERED paths, she must
often have seen the two walking there in
the tender dusk and starlight; she mr.
often have leaned Out from her wlndo ",
longing to catch the strains of Jacks
flute or the sound of his voice.
One night there was a midsummer's
mask at the Belgravias', and the air re-
sounded with jocund mirth and music.
Peas blossom and Moonshine 1uttered
among the shubbery as much at home
as their namesakes; the grounds, illumi-
| mated with colored lights, made a fairy
scene fit for whatever entertainments.
There was dancing in the house, and
Jack, as Oberon, left Titania tripping on
| the fantastic toe in the arms of Starve-
| ling and walked forth by himself, with
| eyes dim with self-distrust and dissatis-
faction; but not needing whittier he
went, involved in his own thoughts, he
left the gay groups behind him and only
stayed his footsteps when he was sud-
denly confronted by wan, wisttul face
that leaned from window of the Deuce
acres darkened mansion, half concealed
and half revealed, like a spirit-face look
| ing out of cloud. But Jack was not
the man to entertain ghostly fanCies. If
that was Dawn's face, glowing and
| Frightening above him, she herself must
be there too In moment he forgot his
| part and place, the time that had elapsed,
|
Thistle in a filtration just across the
hedge, that Lysander and Helena were
| love-making under cover of the foun-
tain's treble-forgot everything but Dawn
and his love.
DAWN Dawn!" he cried, stretching
his arms toward her; "have the heavens
fallen? Is it you, yourself Come down,
come down to me, darling" he pleaded
in breath.
81 cannot go down to Miss Belgravia' S
lover" sighed Dawn, drearily. Gin the
play, you know, it is not Oberon who is
inconstant."
"Oh, Dawn, if you have any pity in
your gentle heart, come down and let me
speak; let me make my poor excuses,
and then call me inconstant if you can
Come, while they are all intent on their
own little schemes; don't let us waste
our words apart-there's whole lifetime
for that awaiting u.s."
"Rushl somebody will hear yOur