Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-02


fore you are"
And sure enough, when Tony reach
ed home, there stood the doctors car
iage at the door, an object of envious
admiration for a score of urchins;
while. Roy Dormer was sitting in aunt
Tabitha's snug little parlOr, explaining
the cause of his appearance, and listen
ing to her account of Lila's illness.
''And now, if you'll allow me to see
my patient" he said.
And then he went in, to find Lila de
lirious and talkative, and entirely I'M
conscious.
"Of course it is not true" she said,
as he sat down beside the pure white
cot. Il never firted with Martin Jer-
bingham, or Doctor Dormer, either. It
wasn't fair Of her to turn me off without
a character, was it? And aunt Tabitha
and | are so poor.
And, although he knew there was no
recognition in her bright eyes, still his
face flushed.
''She is very i'll, he said, gravely.
II will see her again this afternoon,
Mrs Lawson"
That was the beginning of their friend
ship; and when, three months later,
Lila was sufficiently restored to accept
a situation as travelling companion to
lady, she knew that her most val
ued friend in all the world was DR..
DOrmer.
A perfect afternoon, even for Ia belle
Paris, and Mrs birmingham, leaning
back in her chair beside the window Of
her gru,1de salon, thought that life in
the gay city was the one thing de
sirable, and would be the one glori-
Gus thing, we:e it not for her son Mar
tin.
For her son, her darling, her chief
pride, for whom nothing i'll the world
was too good; for whom manageable
maidcns and shrewed mothers had an
gled visibly and invisibly, who never
yet had been disappointed or thwart-
ed IN all his life, was in a state of des-
peration and distress that made Mrs
birmingham wonder, in agitation and
dismay, what would be the result of it
all.
And 1T all" meant that Martin Jer-
ningham was in love with Mrs. War
ringdale's charming young friend and
cOmpaniCn-Our own Lila Barton,
whom, two years before, Mrs. Jerning-
ham had turned out of doors.
''She will not listen to me-" Martin
had said to his mother, before he went
out that afternoon. II tell you / must
have her, toO-beforc another twenty
four hours goes over my head, mother
Unless | get her for my wife, I'll shoot
myself rs sure us fate. | never cared
so much for anything or anybody be-
fore, and it 5 only the memory of your
cruel treatment of her-the feeling that
She thinks you would not sanction an
engagement-that keeps us apart"
You think that?" she said trem-
bling.
Il know it, he answered hotIy. She
is gracious and kind, but beyond that |
tell you her just pride restraints her.
Look here, mother, if you want to do
me a favor-if you don't want to have
me brought in dead some
time-you will 90 and tell her
that you want her for your daughter"
And Mrs. birmingham knew, as she
looked upon her sons handsome, hag-
gard face, that even if it killed her to
so humble herself, she must do it for
his sake
at is awfulIy cruel of you" she said
piteously, and he interrupted her, firm
ly-
You can take your choice-LiIa
Barton for your daughter, OF get along
without mew
Martini"
II mean it. She won't refuse me if
you ask her. By Jove she is the only
woman in the world [ shall ever ask.
She shall accept mcw
Il think there is no danger of her
refusing such an offer" she said, little
of the old scornfulness in her voice.
'Of course you will go he answered,
decidedly. 'When / come back at
seven to dinner, [ shall hear what you
have to say from her"
Then he had gone, and Mrs. Jerning-
ham had sat III trouble and dismay,
thinking it all out, wondering how she
could accomplish her errand, and yet
not sacrifice her pride-how she could
conciliate Lila Barton and yet give her
to understand it was an honor she had
come to offer her
i'll q most elaborate toilet, was driven
to Mrs. Waringdale's, where surround
ed by all the Injuries of wealth and re-
tinement, Lila Barton had won her way
to her heart, and made not only the
confidential friend, but the beloved
daughter and choice companion.
AS Mrs. Waringdale's friend society
had opened its most exclusive doors
and our little Lila had found herself
almost uncOnsciouSly, Il pet and favor
lite III pleasant social circles, where her
personal attractiveness, her sweet Win
someness, held the position given her
And Martin birmingham had renewed
his acquaintance with his mothers dis
charged gOverness. and
This was the result-Mrs. Jerning-
ham waiting in Mrs. Warringdale's
parlOr for Lila Barton to come, with
whom she was to plead in her sons
behalf
1t seemed like some impossible bur
lesque, as she waited, and there was
sharp struggle within her between
pride and love for her son-that
idol and darling who had never been
denied, and who ruled her with a rod
of iron.
For his sake. Only, solely for his
sake And then Lila Barton came in, a
vision of lovliness, and sweetness in her
soft, white dress.
She greeted Mrs. birmingham in a
courteous way, and then waited III
quiringly, and, perhaps, just trife
baTCbtilN-