Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-05-20

has met me under the elm south of
Joe's house. see her pale, excited
facet feel her nervous hand clasping
mine! Nowwe are fleeing On. on, and
now we are pursued! Joe is on our
track! We glide along smoothly in a
| light boat. Now We are safe and she is
mine-mine forever! But no, Joe still
pursues us. Why cannot we glide fast
er? Joe approaches swiftly. Now he
closes in on u! He has caught her in
his cruel grasp! Her beautiful plead
ing eyes are raised to minei He raises
knife aloof! Then I catch his arm,
we struggle silently together, [ wrest
the knife from his grasp and plunged it
into his breast and he drops from the
misty boat and strikes beneath the dark
waves! How dark the river has grown
by the light of the moonl The gaunt
and CHASTITY figure of Mr.. Long sudden
| ly emerges from the waves l saw him
catch my darling IN his long arms, and
Uefore | could interfere, they had both
disappeared beneath the turbid waves
of the river? This awoke me. I arose
and resumed my wearing apparel, bath.
ed my feverish face and went forth into
the air to try and exercise the evil
spirits with cigar.
By the ensuing morning my dream
| had ceased to trouble me, but the reali-
ty of things did not cease. There was
Nellie before me in all her beauty, all
| her sweetness to tempt me on to love
her. Tnere was Joe, with all his ex-
uberance ofspirit, and as unsuspicieus
as child. He seemed to do all in his
power to bring us together. He often
| lured us into interesting conversation
or managed to get us engaged in sing
ing and playing, and leave US alone for
hours. Days passed away and elapsed
into weeks; in these weeks | was almost
the constant companion of Nsllie Hall.
We were riding, boating, and to in
Vulnerable concerts and entertainments,
all through the suggestion and planning
OF Joe. | felt and knew well the danger;
| was fascinated at first-and now [ was
irretrievably in love.
The thought of breaking away from
| this charming creature caused me pain
like unto death. [ resolved to leave.
No matter what it cost me, the only
honorable course for me to pursue was
to return to the city and forget-no, not
forget, for never could forget the only
woman | ever loved or could love.
Joe was absent on the day arrived
at this determination. All the better /
thought it; it would be easier to get
away. proceeded to pack up and get
ready to go on the evening train. l
noticed during the progress of packing,
that the long body OF Long was over
Swallowing me. He seemed determ-
med not to let anything escape his OBJ
servation.
At length, when I had finished my
work, he approached me. His long
arm was raised to his breast pocket,
and from thence he extracted letter
which he handed me. | tore it open; it
was from Joe and read thus:
Thomas Thurston, you are traitor!
no longer doubt your perfidy. Long
has watched you and Nellie closely. II
Is useless to deny your intention of eloP-
ing with her. / demand satisfaction and
ii can only be had from your hearts
blood. Meet me on the river bank,
and by the light IF the moon and in
the presence OF Long we will settle our
differences
| looked up. Long had disappeared
and in his place stood Nellie.
why Tom, you're not going to leave
us, are your" she asked.
thought she addressed me in tone
of regret. / looked into her bright
eyes-auch beautiful loving eyesl How
could l pain her? How could I drive
the blood from her cheeks and the
light from her eyes by showing her
Joe's letter and telling her all? She
came very near me and said coaxingly
Don't go Tom; | will be so lonely
here now"
81 cannot stay, Nellie. I regret hav-
ing to leave you." My words came
fast and almost inarticulate. ST thought
to be on my way now and can only stay
long enough to bid you adieu.;
"But Tom. what will Joe say? Sure
~ you will stay till he comesp'
mo, no. l cannot Nellie; indeed |
cannot. [ can never forget the happi-
ness [ have had here this summer; but
| must leave you now, and fear-it is
toreverp
MY voice was unsteady, and l clasp
ed both her hands very tightly in mine.
"Forever!" she repeated. 80, Tom,
| foreyer!"
What world of tenderness, of regret,
in her intonations. 1t died away like a
wall of woe.
mo Nellie; never shall see you
again-neverw
"Never!" the moan died away and
the beautiful eyes were raised to mine
IN speechless agony, that wrung my
heart with pain.
"Oh Nellie, do not break my heart
My grief, my wretchedness is beyond
bearing now. Your beloved eyes look
ing into mine will haunt me in coming
years.-YOu know my secret; recrim.
mate if you will, Nellie, my darling!"
A light sprung into her eyes; strange.
dazzling light that spread over her beau.
titul face, the light OF measureless love
of transport of jny.
"Farewell!'' / cried in husky voice
not daring to stay longer; FAREWELL
and turned to go, when her fingers
closed over mine. l turned to her
again and she threw her arms about my
neck.
you must not go! You shall not go
for love you!" and the beaming face
was hidden on my breast.
A chuckling noise from behind start
led US; it broke into laugh, then into
loud shouts and frightful roars, inter.
mingled with hideous outlaws and 8
woman's musical laugh, till the hills
echoed and re-echoed the sound.
Nellie'- face WAS snffi1sed with b1,1she s