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

The clouds overhang the earth dreari-
ly. 1t is evidently progressing toward
a storm. The birds are winging their
way to shelter in the woods.
"He will scarcely be here tonight, "
says Diana, rising and looking out of
the window.
A proud-looking face, buried in book,
is lifted up at these words, and voice
says sharply:
''He had better not come"
"Why not?" says Diana CURLY, as
she leaves the window AID takes her
seat.
He had better never enter these
doors again, Diana, If ne enters them
only to bring us sorrow and shame. The
idea of you, born and bred in such
elegance, should stoop so low-so low,
Diana"
A stuffed sob follows this speech, and
the speaker folds her arms proudly as
she drops her book and gazes defiantly
at Diana.
Diana's beautiful dark eyes look def
ance, and she says calmly:
''You talk riddles, Sophia"
1GIuOIGS GlldG yOu Will iuGGIDIGb WIll
bitter knowledge some of these DAYS.
You will find that love cannot compen-
safe for the loss of rank and wealth, Di-
ana"
The bishops young daughter looks at
the splendor with which she is sur
rounded splendor brought to her ia
ther by her mothers wealth; then her
eyes rove to the ancestral pictures on
the wall, among which the portly form
of the bishop himself, in his robes Of
office, stands out clearly defined and
seems to frown down upon Diana.
My father and my mother" says
Diana, "married-one for money and
the other for position. By their I'M
happy married life take warning, and
marry for love-"
vet chair, her pearlY white skin and
golden hair contrasting beautifully with
its rich hue.
Dear me, Diana, how can you talk
in that way of your dead father and
mother? Have you no reverence at all
for their memory"
Eyes, and pity for their sorrows-sor-
rows which are lighthouse to warn me
off the rocks"
Diana arises and approaches the win
dow, for She hears the patter of horses
feet upon the gravel walk.
Here is Mr.. kennay. How it rains!
did not expect him, and so far to come,
tOo!' says Diana, trying to peer out into
the misty, gloomy atmosphere.
''The bishops daughter is worth COM
af or L..
bitterly, as she gives her head an angry
toss; especially by the bishops organ
ist"
Diana's face fushes up, but she makes
no reply, for Mr.. Kennay stands in the
door. She goes forth to meet him,
while Sophia abruptly drops her book,
which she never stops to pick up, and
without a glance of recognition at
Mr.. Kennay, sails proudly out of the
room.
Diana Is committing what her family
think the objectionable sin. She is
about to marry the Organist of her ia
theirs church, and all for love, she saws.
OF course; for what else can she marry
him? 4e is poor and without position,
VIII. she is rich and moves in graceful
DC"e'uy TIC pSSl VI lhS pIouueSt Ill Iue
land.
Diana will not be rich, however, after
she marries Mr.. Kennay; for the de-
ceased bishop, with a horror more
worldly than religious, of his daughters
marrying out of their elevated sphere,
has inserted a clause in his will to the
effect that if his younger daughter,
Diana, carries out her wilfully and dis
obediently expressed determination to
marry Herbert Kennay, the organist Of
st. James the Less, she lorfeits on her
marriage all claim on his 1.-THE bishop's)
estate, every dollar of which goes to
her two sisters, Sophia and Maria.
Diana's resolve is not shaken in the
least by what she thinks her fathers
injustice. The spectre of poverty, view
ed through the rosy light of love, does
not appear very formidable. She has
no near acquaintance with the grim
skeleton, and is consequently ignorant
of what poverty really means.
Diana meets Mr.. Kennay with girlish
tondness. She is only eighteen, aud
entirely unlike in manner her proud
and fashionable sisters. She SAYS:
ut is very good in you to come on
this rainy evening. Iscarcely hoped to
see you"
81 have come to bid you goodbye,
Diana" says Mr.. Kennay, seriously. 81
have been thinking over our engage
ment, and have come to the conclu-
sion that [ am very selfish to allow you
to make the great sacrifice which your
marriage with ME will involve. You
will lose everything and gain nothing
but devoted love, which, l fear, will
hardly compensate you for what you
will resign in becoming my wife"
Diana looks at him, not with the sad
gaze he had expected, but with smile
playing over her features.
II think it best, therefore, Diana" he
continues more grayely, ito leave you
forever"
"I'll not be left" says Diana. positive
ly.
"You have not counted the cost, Di-
ana"
Diana appro aches him, and laying her
hand on his, says solemnly, without a
tremor In her voice:
81 have thought of it all over: know
what lose, and | also know what l
gain. This is the result of all my think
1ng-"Whither thou goest, Twill go, and
where thou lodgest L will lodge: thy peo-