Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-04-10

received no answer. An unbrOken 81
lence prevails. The bishops family
have never forgiven this recreant
daughter, who threw herself away upon
her fathers organist.
The shadows now come down upon
Diana. A long illness loses her hus-
band his position, and poverty darkens
the home which, though humble, is
happy. Diana is not the WON an to fold
her hands and bewail her fate. She
sets about to mend it she is not too
proud to work, even if she is the bishops
daughter. She asks no help from any
one. but spurred on by love for her sick
husband, she seeks employment. She
obtains 1t only after many weary months
seeking and for the first time in her
life, Diana learns from experience the
true meaning of poyerty-which can
only be learned by experience. Through
all the bitter trials the heart never fails
her, and she finds the love for which she
married her staff and comfort.
81 have obtained something to do"
she says joyfully to her husband, her
cheeks all aglow with exercise, as she
shakes the snow from her veil and seats
herself at his side.
He looks sadly at her. Diana work
ing, and working for him, is not a
pleasant idea. 81 have got a place to
sing IN st. Thomas church, and now we
can be quite comfortable again"
"To go through snow and rain, Dia-
ma, you so delicately reared"
'What of that?" asks Diana; ~ can
stand what others can; anything to add
to your comfort, Herbert, you have so
often added to NINE"
II would have saved you this, Diana"
he says as he smooths with his thin
hand her golden hair.
'The wife," says Diana, "who is not
glad to help her husband at all times,
and who is not willing to work when he
is sick, has a strange idea of wifelv duty,
and must have but little love in her
heart. When [ married | gave love
which only grows brighter as the storms
of adversely increa, e. Come what may,
l have no regret for the past-only a
heart full of love to meet the present"
Thus fortified, Diana undertakes her
mission of love. Through storms of
rain and storms of snow she trudges to
church. She is there on Sundays, on
festival days, at weekly prayer days,
and at funerals, and she never misses
the practicings. Diana has but one re-
greet, and that is, that her occupation
takes her away so long from her hus-
band.
The SHOWS of winter pass away, and
the first breath of spring fills the air.
The invalid is slowly improving, but has
no
Diana returns from church one day,
where she has been singing at funeral
and finds her husband sitting on the
sofa with letter in his hand. Diana is
at loss to interpret the peculiar express
sion of his face.
"Diana," he said, in tones which
sounded strangely agitated to her ear,
II must plead your forgiveness"
she seats herself beside him, with the
same old trust and confidence which
nothing can shake, and says very smil-
ingly:
'There is no room for forgiveness
where there is no room for offence"
"Ah! but you don't know how [ have
deceived you, Diana"
"No; nor another love-"
~ have deceived you, Diana; [ am
not what | seem to he. Let me tell you
my story. The passion of my life has
been, you know, music, which my par
ents gave me every opportunity of cul-
tivating. When l became a man, very
foolishly 1 joined an opera troupe,
which so incensed my father that he
disowned me. I drifted into America,
having lost my voice from Just such an
attack as have had recently, and OBJ
tanned situation IN your fathers church
as organist. The rest you know,
Diana"
EYES," said Diana, chow well [ re-
member what charms those practicings
in the old church had for me, and the
walk home through the park Just as the
sun was setting; and | remember too,
what terrible scolding | received from
my aunt and sisters for allowing the or
ganist to accompany me home"
A peculiar smile plays over the
features of Mr.. Kennay, and he says.
Perhaps on one of these days they
will be reconciled to the organist."
Never" says Diana, "for their hearts
are hardened by pride; but finish your
story, Herbert"
"There IS not much more to say Di-
ana" says her husband, gently, smooth
ing the soft cleaning hair of his wife.
"My father is dead, and my wife, the
bishops daughter, is the Countess Her
bert. Well go back to England, Diana,
and you shall have more elegant home
than the one from which / took YOU"
Diana's eyes dilate with astonishment;
she remains speeches..
care you not happy, Diana, to know
that am not the humble organist, you
supposed ?"
Il have been as happy" says Diana,
laying her hand in that of her husband,
''as the wife of the humble organist, as |
ever can be the wife of the Earl. 1t is
not rank that brings happiness, and love
has already filled my cup to overflow
ing"
"What~ says Sophia, when the news
reaches them, Diana a Countess ?"
"Our doors are now open to herself
and husband" says Maria, COM
placently.
Diana is standing, when Maria says
this, on the deck of the steamer which is
bearing her to her beautiful home in
England. She stands silently by her
husbands side and watches the reseding
shores. Then night comes down and
the scene is lost forever to Diana.
The territory in dispute between Chill
and Bolivia Is seventy miles wide, and
reaching from the ocean to the Andes