Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-30

|
bushes, dimples, smiles and sweetness"
He went out rather hurriedly, caught
his hat from the rack and hailed a pass
ing cab that would speed him on his
mission.
Mrs. SymIngton watched him between
the plume -colored damask curtains, her
eyes kindling with pleasurable, pardona-
BILE pride.
"The dear boy! he wants me to think I
settled the matter he arranged long ago.
Of course he would have married her
anyway; but just to think how splendidly
he behaved to me-
And something very like the diamonds
IN her ears glittered in her fond mother
eyes as she turned away.
A delightful little octagonal room, hung
with the exact shade of dainty pink silk
that was most becoming to Birdie Lorne's
fair complexion. A pink carpet that
covered the floor in an unbroken expanse
OF velvet. Chairs, ottomans and cushions
upholstered in pink and ebony; with little
lace tides and snowy, zephyr mats
scattered gracefully around with elegant
ly-designed and executed Afghans on the
ottOmans and sofas; with lace curtains and
pink satin drapery; with the white halls
hung with small, rare paintings; with
8tatuettes on pedestals in every available
niche. A charming, girlishly ordered
room, that opened from the back drawing
room by one door and into the beautiful
conservatory by another. A place where
| tears and trouble ought never to have
come, and the sight of both of which I'M
canny visitants made Cleve Symington
pause a second on the threshold, as he
caught glimpse Of golden head buried
in two tiny fair hands and heard the I'M
mistakable sobs that shook the little
white-robed figure crouching in a heap
beside a low hassock. He only hesitated
love, pity and sympathy, crossed the room
to her side
Birdie, why crying SO piteously Can
| sympathiZe, or do | intrude?"
She sprang up in a sweet, shy surprise,
her face all tear-fushed her eyes as
bright as dew drops. She was one of
! those heaven-favored mortals that weep
ing beauties. She only looked fresher
and fairer, and so pitiful, and Cleve's
arms fairly ached to take her to his heart
! and kiss her tears away. And he would,
he vowed, rapturously in another five
minutes. She took her handkerchief from
her pocket-a little lace affair, white and
| fragrant, and essayed to smile as she
wiped the tears from her lashes.
am afraid I appear very childish,
Mr.. SYmington--but when | think-when
| it is all gone"
Her exquisite lips quivered again, but
she checked the rebellious tears bravely.
g am as poor as church mouse-that
is all. A letter from my guardian says
everything was invested in a mining COM
pany, and the shares are not worth the
paper they are printed on
Cleve fairly worshiped her then, as she
honestly explained her position, with the
quiet, lady-like way so natural to her.
cit is a misfortune, admit; and yet,
Birdie, there will inevitably come one
| good Of it-yOu will learn who are your
real friends"
| Somehow he said it so very earnestly
that Birdie glanced curiously at him, then
dropped her eyes under the blue-veined,
long dashed lids. Cleve was close by her
side the next instant with her hands i'm
| prisOned in his and his impassioned ewes
fairly scorching her face
"You surely understand me, darling?
You will let me prove my friendship, love,
my alteration? Little girl, say you will
be my own. Tell me you love me and
promise me the great privilege of caring
for you forever, my little wife"
1t was so sweet, this manly honest,
eager avowal, and coming, as it did, on
the very heels of her misfortune, and
from the lips of the only lover she ever
had prayed to hear the words from.
And veto womans foolish pride!-all
her perverse little heart rose in rebellion
at accepting everything and giving moth
| ing. 1t never should be said of Birdie
| Lorne that she took the first offer she re-
ceived after her misfortune simply because
there was money in it. So, while Cleve
waited, smiling patiently at her bowed
head, never doubling that his whole earth
ly happiness was at hand, dreaming such
rapid. blissful dreams of the future, Biz
die deliberately made up her stubborn
will, through horrid pangs of pain then
she lifted her head in quick, naughty
way that it had often delighted in before.
"You are so kind Mr.. Symington, and
| appreciate every word you say, and I
will rememberyou gratefully to my dying
day. But | marry no man to whom |
would have to feel under such obligations
as [ would feel to you"
She spoke gently, but with a proud
ring to her voice. Cleve reeled under the
sharp, sudden blow. He clenched her
hands so tightly that her rings cut in the
tender flesh, but she only compressed
her lips and made no sign of how he
hurt her
1" But, Birdie" and there was such ago
ny in his voice thather own heart quailed