Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-10-16

This Is part of his dead mothers
wedding ring; we broke it in two, and
swore solemnly over it to be faithful
to the promises we had made each
other. Then he sailed away from me,
and [ never heard from him again. For
two years 1 suffered all the agonies of
hope deferred and sighted love, and at
length had a fever that left me the
coloriess little ghost [ have been ever
since"
perhaps he was dead"
mo"
"Then he was miserable creature,
and | should have put him out of my
heart and memory"
eyes, think you would, Eloise. I
think, too, that it is likely you would
have let some other man make fool
of you a second time. l have diff
ferent nature. l did not cease to suffer
for James Early for five years, but hav-
ing conquered that weakness, | never
permitted myself to care for any other
man."
"But you were ricn and handsome
Did no one else care for your"
Miss Fthel smiled queerly, and after
L
"Who was it, auntie?"
Colonel Powell
"Oh, aunt SO you wanted me to do
a thing you would not do yourself"
eyes, dear. 'You wanted to marry;
| did not. When / was twenty years
of age, if l had wanted to marry at all,
| should have married for wealth and
position. Colonel Powell can give his
wife these advantages"
''Are you still in love with this Mr..
Early's memory
mo, / am not. If | should meet
him to-day, [ do not think l should
care to speak to him."
as he alive?"
81 suppose so. I heard Of his mari
age ten years ago."
Poor auntie!'
Don't pity me child. 1 am to be
congratulated. If it had not been for
dear fathers opposition, I should have
married for love, given my fortune and
my life into the keeping of selfish,
tickle MANN fact, made just such a
little fool of myself as you are about to
make"
'Aunt, do you really think that Har-
ry would forget me in a few weeks Or
mOnths?'
"Of course he would"
II will try him.
"You will act very wisely to do SO.
Eloise, I am glad | have told you my
sad little story; it may make you look
before you leap. Where does Harry
generally leave vOD2"
'On the little bridge outside the
Place"
'Do not say Farewell there. Low
ers who part over running water never
meet again. Give him every lawful
chance. You may bring him into the
park tonight"
So few hours afterward there was q
very bitter parting under the oaks in
Bruce Park. Eloise was almost shocked
when it was over. In her heart she
had only intended to frighten Harry,
but her lover had taken the proposal too
seriously, and things had been said that
she could not unsay. At first, indeed
Harry had laughed at Miss Ethels doubt
of him, and his laughter had provoked
Eloise. She did not like the thing treat
ed as a joke. at was very serious
matter, and she did not see how Harry
could laugh at the idea of not seeing her
for eleven months"
For eleven months was the time she
had fixed upon as her lovers probation.
In eleven months she would be of age,
and could claim her small fortune. If
Harry were true to her, she would then
be willing to begin life with him on four
thousand dollars. Besides, she had q
shrewd idea that if she humored her
aunt thus far, Miss Ethel would not
WITHDRAW her favor.
Harry was indignant at all such pru-
Dental considerations. He spoke very
disrespectfully of Bruce Park, and de-
clared he would not say Thank you
for every acre of it, and the old wooden
mansion thrown in, and that eleven
months was an eternity; they might as
we'll say good-by 70, ever.
Then Eloise argued that sit was very
well for him to talk of living on two
thousand a year and each others love-
Men could get society, and have people
speak decently to them, even if they
could only afford one new suit in twel, e
months; but q woman's friends depend
ed on the condition of her wardrobe,
and she wondered if even Harry's love
could stand q shabby, old-fashioned
dress, and one-button kid gloves"
Harry "was sure she would make any
dress look elegant" and Eloise said an
grily, "He was very absurd" and
thought 50 too. So the end of all was
that Harry babe her Farewell till the
9TH of the following June, and that with
many tears and protestations they final
ly began their self-imposed trial of each
others fidelity.
The next mornings paper announced
the sudden departure of Mr.. Henry
Torrons for New York on business of
Importance likely to detain him some
months" and Eioise was angry enough
at the information. She had hoped
Harry would try again to convince her
OF " the folly of parting" and she was
determined at this interview to be con-
WINGED.
For some weeks Miss Ethel did not
have a very happy time. Eloise wan
dered in the park, or about the big
silent house, and was not at all cheerful
company. At first Harry's letters were
so long and frequent that great deal
of her time was satisfactorily employed
in answering them. But by degrees
they grew both shorter and less fire.
quent, and toward the beginning of
winter they stopped altogether.
The two women looked sadly in each
others face at the empty post-box every
morning, and Miss Ethel had her will
made during these days, and left her