Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-23
4 MOTHERS SACRIFICE.

grace OF MIS-. w lngIGIQ SIlgnU form III
its close-ftting robes of blaze. Tonight,
for the first time in her two years of
widowhood, she laid off the widows
cap, which had for so long served to
conceal the thick auburn braids, so ar
tistically cOiled about the small head.
Perhaps for this same reason she had
dismissed the butler, when he entered
according to custom to light the lamps,
or perhaps because the slow ticking of
the clock upon the mantle revealed to
her sufficiently the lapse of time with
out compelling her to distinguish the
hands upon the face of the dial draw
ing nearer and nearer the hour whose
close approach dissipated the calm
ness she vainly strove to gain
Eighteen years had passed since she
and Arthur Mainwaring had met. They
had been lovers in that far-off time,
hut he was poor then with no whisper
in the air of the rich inheritance to
which he afterward fell heir, just too
late for it to bring happiness to either.
Not that they cared for wealth, either
of them, but then there were older,
wiser minds to Judge for both, and so
each vowing eternal VOWS, they were
torn apart
Six short months later she married
Edward Wingfeld. He was fortunate
", not a man to look for love and senti-
ment in his young wife-only wifely
duty and obedience. In these she never
failed him, and after his death the
world found proof of his esteem in the
fact that to his widow reverted all his
fortune, untrammeled by Il single res
rryation.
She had married very young. She
was but 50 now. Would he find her
changed, she wondered for whose
coming she waited here tonight?
simultaneously with the thought
came the sound of carriage wheels and
horses hoofs on the grayeled walk.
She started to her feet, pressing both
hands upon her fast-beating heart.
Only that morning she had received
the telegram announcing Arthur Main
warnings coming, and already he was
here. She was glad, o, so glad that
the room was dark, when she heard the
quick, firm tread she had sometimes
heard in her dreams during these long
years of dutiful living; so glad that he
could not see the quick blush, which
put her matronhood to shame, when
the door was thrown hastily open, and
three or four swift strides brought him
to her side
"Barbaraw
Q, how his voice still thrilled her
half with pleasure, half with pain.
His tall form lowered far above her,
rs in the Olden time; but he held close
IN his own firm, tender grasp her two
little trembling hands.
are you glad to see mc?' he ques-
toned.
She strove to answer, but her lips
quivcred, and no words came.
Barbara" he said then again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower
1T is too soon to speak :"
oh, Arthur" she answered. "can
atOne?"
And then the bridge of years was
swept away, and she sobbed out hel
happiness upon his heart.
LET me see YOU he said ut last
81 have not yet seen the face for which
have hungered all these years"
He struck Il light, then turned and
looked at her
VI v uttIllllS. he SstlIl. II 10 SUI
my beautiful Barbara What have
done to deserve this hOur?"
Mamma, where are you?" called
out 4 fresh, girlish voice at this instant
The next moment u young girl o
scarce Il summers sprang into the
room.
This is my daughter, Arthur-my
only child. Dora, let me present you
to one of your mothers oldest friends
The gentleman indicated looked from
one to the other-from the mother tC
the daughter-then back again. Now
he could realize the lapse of time
now he could appreciate the change;
years had wrought TWAS rs though
he had brought the past and present
face to face forcing him to acknowledge
the impossibility of natures standing
still
The daughter was Il fair counterpart
of the mothers beauty. As she looked
now, shyly extending him her hand a:
if in depreciation of her uncerOmonious
entrance, sohad Barbara looked, whel
extending her hand in farewell, 4,
though she would have said. Il an
forced into it by a stronger will thar
mine"
An uncomfortable sensation rose III
in his breast-a dumb warning agains
the inevitable-an acknowledged desire
to retrace ife's pathway and conquer
time.
Meantime the young girl pouted the
full red lips, as though She thought he
mothers friend strangely absent; anc
when he at last forced himself into :
few words of greeting, they fell upor
duh, unheeding ears.
Then she had gone. The lovers were
alone again, but he no longer opened
wide his arms, but instead. drew a chair
10 her side that they might discus:
more nationally.
you must teach Dora to love you,
she said to him next morning. [ wan
first to reconcile her to my second
marriage before startling her with it.
probability. Tell me do you think hel
like me?"
'Your second self
"Ah, | am so glad! You will love
her then, for my sake?"
TO love and to be lovedl Ger easy
task sent by frail woman in her blind
ness. 1t must be Mr. Mainwaring who
must be Dora's companion in her daily
ride; Mr. Mainwaring who must teach
her how to manage the cOckle-boat-