Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-05
A DECIDED ANSWER.


at it with tender, shining eyes, but #
observed she would instantly desist and
cover the jewel with her right hand
After ten months teaching it was
like paradise to get down to Stone Cot
tage, on the shore of Lake Michigan,
where my maiden cousin resided. She
lived alone with the exception Of sin
gle servant. Her father had left her
sufficient money to place her above the
reach of want, that is above the want
that pursues the poor, but not beyond
the dire want, the terrible heart hunger
that takes possession of the lonely.
Although Mirabel was a first cousin ]
had not heard from her for years until
her letter came to me at the seminary
where | was teaching, inviting me to
spend the coming vacation at Stone
Cottage. | had been four days ut the
cottage, and felt quite settled and at
home. Mirabel had the rare and ex-
cellent trait of letting her guests enjoy
themselves as they chose. She did not
deem it necessary to be always at their
side trying to entertain them, and fine
woman though she was, it would not
have been always desirable. Yes, |
say to myself with emphasis, Cousin
Mirabel is Il fine woman, despite her
80 years. As | spoke | saw in imagi-
nation the tall, elegant figure, the white
brow and dark, heavy hair, but, most
Of all, the reserved and pensive air that
characterized this woman.
Ever since our dinner at , o'clock
had been sitting out ON the piazza,
mufflcd up in Il cloak, for the lake
breeze was damp and cold [ believe
Mirabel could live nowhere else than on
the shore ola stormy lake. At 3 o'clock
| saw her leave the house by side door.
She was wrapped in her storm cloak
and had her hood drawn over her head.
At dusk she had not returned. Ienter-
ed the house and before striking light
| looked from the window and saw her
coming through the gloom. [ started
the fire ard lighted the lamp, striving
to make the room comfortable for the
home coming. [ heard the outer door
open and shut, heard her pause in the
hall to hangup her cloak and then her
feet coming YEARLY up stairs. Very
YEARLY it seemed to me. She tapped on
the sitting-room door then pushed it
open. [ started up, her hair was damp,
her face pale and her eyes unusually
large and brilliant
drew her into the room, saying:
''GOur walk has been too much for you;
take this easy chair here by the fire"
mo it is not the walk, she answered,
smiling little atmy anxiety. at is not
the walk; it is excitement. Judge Park
hurst has been asking me too marry
him-the gentleman you saw here on
the first day of your arrival"
'Oh!" | said with a long-drawn
breath of real pleasure, thinking some
happiness was too be granted Mirabel
ut last. Il hope yon accepted him"
NO. not exactly; he is to come for an
answer tomorrow.
The tea had been brought i'll and
cleared away, and still | was talking
about the judge. [ concluded by say
ing: 'He is strong, true-hearted,
honorable man, and you will say yes,
won't you, Mirabel?"
II don't know, dear" she answered,
steadily; but, bending down to kiss her,
| saw that the dark eyes were full of
tears. My proud, impassive cousin
weeping! That was almost beyond be-
lief. She recovered herself without any
violent exhibition of emotion. The
flame shone on the gold setting of her
ring, and she began turning it with Il
carressing movement.
| drew an ottomen close to her feet,
and, laying my head in her lap, | said
Dear Cousin Mirabel, please tell me
about your ring. Pm sure it has his
tory"
She put her hand upon my head at
has, indeed, a history, and | will tell it
to you. I have been thinking all day of
Kenneth Deering, the man who gave
me this ring, and it will be relief to
talk Of him tonight. 1t may be wrong,
but | cannot help it; indeed | cannot. "
There was a short silence, as if she
,vnrn stii yinU To overcome some bitter
or painful emotion. She began her
story IN Il lyw voice, and did not look
into her face.
Five years ago tonight I met Ken
net Deering for the first time. I de-
sired a summer boarding place, and
Milly Bently wrote me: We are back
again where we spent last summer. !
can recommend the place. Nice fam
lily, splend d library, and pleasant sur
roundngS. | am sure you would be
suited If you were to come
Il was alone in the world; one place
was as good as another to me, for | was
Indifferent to all. l think it was the
mention of the library that decided me.
Milly was of the dark slender. piquant
style of beauty full of fire and vivacity.
We We're too unlike to be perfectly con
genial, yet we were friendly enough as
the world goes. | remember the first
afternoon of my arrival. Millv met
he IN the hall and introduced me to the
ladies of the household. The weather
was warm, and / desired to be shown
to my room to battle my hands and
change my travelling dress That done,
| determined to see the library before |
should be summoned to tea. had
seen the book shelves on my way to nv
own department. | was surprised at
the number of books, and the fine taste
displayed IN the collection. Surely
some one here must have most scholar
ly tastes, / thought. 1t did not seem to
me it could be the busting housewife
to whom | had been introduced. nor
did believe it to be the master of the
house, decrepit old man who shuffied
past me in the hall. Having run my
eye over the various titles | selected a
volume of poems, and seated myself al
an open window, but soon forgot my