Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-25
THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE.
A Tale Of Filial Affection.

Alice Dempster was what is called a
pretty, comely girl. She was not beau
tiful; but she could have scarcely passed
along the streets-eYen in England
where beauty is perhaps less rare than
IN any CONTRIBUTIONS being noticed.
She was the daughter Of poor widow,
in village in Devonshire-that pictur-
esgue and charming country. Mrs.
Dempster had been the wife of a sailor,
who out of his earnings, had bought a
cottage in his native hamlet, in which
his widow resided after his death. She
mad little else save this cottage, if we
except her daughter, who was indeed a
treasure of tilial affection and love. But
then Alice was one of those frail and
delicate beings who give pain while
they do pleasure to a parents heart.
From about twelve to eighteen her
mother was her devoted nurse. Never
was pale face or hectic, cough, or
watched with more intense anxiety by
q parents eye; itseemed never off the
young girls face. Mrs. Delnpster had
a ledger, and he came off rather badly;
but henever grumbled or complained,
but he would. on the contrary, sit with
the poor widow, and comfort her I'M
der affection, with rude kindness of
manner which soon won her heart.
John Morrison was a railway clerk,
with a small salary, at station about a
mile off. He had lived with Mrs. Demp-
ster for six years and had mainly di-
rected the education of little Alice. OF
q studious and serious turn of thought,
he spent all his leisure hours in read
ing. Mrs. Dempster had sent Alice to
school when a mere child; but q village
educ ational establishment is not usually
the place to learn much in, and that OF
Dame Porter was not an exception. But
John Morrison took fancy to the lit
tie Alice, and finding her fond of study
and her book, took great pains with
her.
About the age of eighteen Alice out
grew her ailments. Her cheeks filled
out; her eyes became lustrous and
clear. her cheeks were rosy and bloom
ing; but Mrs. Dempster began to feel
the effects of her long vigils and con-
slant watching. She moved about with
the tread of an old woman; her appetite
began to fail her, positions were gradu-
ally reversed. Before three months, a
coy arm chair, in the bright sun, by an
open window, was the usual place of the
mother; while Alice hustled about, did
the work of the house, and attended to
the invalid. Mrs. Dempster had no
particular illness; she was simply worn
out with anxiety and fatigue. But if she
suffered she had also her reward, for
Alice was now her devoted nurse.
But Alice was eighteen. and pretty, ]
have said; and the man made the dis
covery as we'll as her mother. John
Morrison, a sedate and grave young
man Of eigbt-and twenty-himself re-
marked it to Mrs. Dempster, as did soon
many others. In the neighborhood
We're several extensive farms, and
amongst others, one belonging to Mr..
Clifton. Mr.. Clifton was very rich, and
had two sons, Walter and Edward
Walter was Il very handsome, lively,
pleasant fellow, full of generous i'm
pulses, but somewhat too fond oil
riotous pleasures, of the bottle and
cards. With plenty of money at his
disposal, he was the center of group
of frolickers that were on many oc
casons, the alarm of the whole country
and Walter Clifton was the widest Of
the lot. 1t is true that he was generous;
if he broke head or damaged field
he paid the expenses; and if he broke 9
heart he was sorry for it.
One hot summers day, Alice was sit
ting sewing by her mothers side; the
window was open, and the warm all
pouring in upon the face of the invalid
Her eyes were pleasantly fixed on the
honysuckle, jasmine, and clemeti;
which twined round the window, and the
rose trees that filled the strip of garden
before the house, but more pleasantly
still on the innocent, sweet face of the
child. Suddenly two horsemen pulled
up before the windows; they had otter
been noticed before, but this was tn,
first time they had ever halted.
'Mrs. Dempster," said dark hand
some young man,-Nhile the other, s
fair youth, held back and blushed-"w
have pulled up to ask for drink ofmill
or beer, or anything you can give us
1t is long time since we have draul
anything in your house, but it will b,
with pleasure we shall renew the Gus
TOM"
welcome! welcome, Master Clifton,
replied Mrs. Dempster, without rising
1T is long time since you used to COM
and listen to my poor husbands stories
and drink his goats milk"
GA long time when your daughte
Alice there was six years DID," replies
Clifton ''and Ned and were sprigs
Poor Mr.. Dempster, we missed hin
very much when we come home from
school,"
He often talked ofyou when he cam
home from his voyages" said Mrs
Dempster, as the young men We're shown
in by Alice.
81 suppose you have forgotten US,
continued Walter, addressing Alice b.
whom he sat down.
NO." exclaimed the young cir
blushing; have forgotten neither of M.
old friends Wally nor Ned"
Meanwhile Alice was busting about
preparing a plain but wholesome luncl
of bread and cheese. to which the gen
tleman did ample justice. This don
they remained an hour in conversation
Walter chiefly addressing himself t
Alice, Edward to the mother.
From that day Walter became reg
ular, and Edward an occasional visitor