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

God"
Mr.. kennay gently presses the hand
laid upon his, and says fervently:
81 gratefully and lovingly accept, Di-
ana, the sacrifice, and hope never to for
get what you have resigned for my sake.
Are you prepared to make the sacrifice
at once? l have received the appoint
ment of organist in the Church of St.
Thomas, in Derby, and must 90 at once,
you know"
What would you have me to do?"
asked Diana.
Marry me tomorrow"
Diana agrees; but the bishops maiden
sister must be informed, and Diana's SIS
tiers too, and ringing the bell, she re-
quests their immediate presence in the
parlor.
They bring a frigid atmosphere in
with them, as the aunt bows in state
lY manner to the bishops former Or
ganist. while the Misses Cleveland,
sinking on the sofa, regard him with
scorn and contempt. Diana gathers
closely at his side, and looking first at
him and then at her family, says:
Tomorrow promise to marry Mr..
Kennay. l don't suppose that you care,
but | thought it due to my aunt and sis
tiers to let them know it"
you are very considerable" said the
bishops sister. speaking deliberately,
ito lnform US SO coolly that you intend
to bring disgrace upon us who are liv-
ing, and on the sacred memory of your
honored father, the bishop"
81 define disgrace very differently
from YOU" says Diana, proudly. eve
have discussed this question so often,
however, that it is scarcely necessary to
take the trouble to discuss it again. l
have merely sent for you that 1 may pay
you the respect of informing you that
my marriage will take place to-mor-
now"
''Not in his house, DIANA" says So
ps-la with glowing cheeks and angry
eyes.
Diana" says Maria coolly, "does not
expect, of course, to be married in this
house."
MARRY where she will" and the bish-
ops sister moves from side to side her
head crowned with silvery puffs, "she
brings disgrace upon us all"
AotA4IbSC DClLS, III Jul SSlluldIlOl,
says Mr.. Kennay, ga sacred institution,
we propose solemnizing ours in the
church."
"Of course" responds the bishops sis
ter promptly, "we are not expected to
be present at the ceremony; that would
be expecting rather too much of u.s."
"Diana is undoubtedly mad" says So
phia rising, "but scarcely mad enough
for that; we know better what is due our
Selves"
"And what is due DIANA" interrupts
Maria, "and that is to request her never
to darken our doors again after she has
left her fathers house and disgraced his
memory"
Maria looks up with an enwrapt gaze
upon the bishops portrait on the wall,
and rises from her seat. The bishops
sister also rises; the conference is at au
end, but before the trio depart the bish-
ops sister says solemnly:
''Diana, the day will come when YOU
will repent OF the folly you are about to
commit, and weep in bitterness over the
disgrace you have brought upon your
self and your family. Believe me. it is
bitter thing to marry beneath ones
self"
Mr.. Kennay smiled, and checks the
retort which he sees trembling upon Di-
ana's lips.
'Never mind, Diana, promise you
that you shall never be ashamed of
your husband"
A dark rainy morning dawns upon
Diana. She has packed her trunk, ar
rayed herself in light silk dress, and
taken leave Of the servants. Her aunt
and sisters refuse to see her; the heav-
ensseem to frown upon her; she fancies
thar the pictured face of the bishop
wears an angry scowl as it looks upon
her from the wall. AS she looks out
into the grounds surrounding the bish-
ops lordly mansion, she feels natural
sadness. An untried future is before
her; she is leaving forever the petted
home of her childhood, and leaving if,
too, under cloud. The youngest of
the family, she was the golden-haired
pet who had lived in an atmosphere of
love and caresses.
When she was seventeen she went to
sing in her fathers church; and with
what pride the bishop listened to the
sweet, clear, sympathetic voice which
filled the edifice with the melody Of the
grand old chants. 1t was but natural
that the gentlemanly, handsome young
organist should fall in love with the
bishops lovely daughter, for love is not
always under control and it was but
natural that the love should be fully re-
ciprocated. The bishop, however, had
no sympathy with such feeling. and
he trOWned upon the youthful fancy.
He did more than froWn; he positively
forbade its indulgence. 1t was a great
piece of folly he said, and must be put
Il stop to at once. It was not put stop
to, however, as we have seen; and thus
it is that Diana Cleveland, the bishops
daughter, stands in her bridal attire this
rainy day, looking over the pleasant
fields in which her childhood sported,
and awaiting the carriage which is to
forever bear her away from her once
happy home.
The rain pours steadily down; gloom
rests upon the face of nature and seems
suddenly to settle upon Diana's heart.
She does not regret the step she is about
to take, for her heart is full of love and
hope and faith; but the thought of
leaving her home without one farewell
kiss, one word Of regret, presses heavi-
ly on her spirits, and brings the tears to
her eyes.
The carriage arrives. Then Mr.. Ken
nay alights and comes into the house.
He presses Diana to his heart and says.
as he sees the tears in her eyes:
"Do you regret this step. Diana?"
"No, mol" she excIaims, fervently; 81
have no one to love now but you"
The trunks are strapped on the car