Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-09-01

lOllu6Sl ubpSS. W udIlllS IONtu u1G !
She would do as | asked. On such a
day, at such an hour was to meet her
at point some two hundred miles
distant from my home
Her letter was an index of her true
woman's heart. If had not loved be-
fore, it alone would have wakened the
sleeping god, but, when [ turned to the
signature, it was signed "Adele."
g4zed at it with stupefiction; then |
remembered that the sisters once had
said that they had nicknamed them
selves in childhood, May and Otto
May, | thought, must be Adele, and
Otto the more dignifed Filth.
I smiled at the tb ught that my
darling was already assuming a new
womanliness, and laying aside the things
Of her childhood. To show my appre-
citation of this, [ addressed my replies
70 Miss Adele.
In my letter to her father, | had not
even mentioned her name. / remem-
bered this as the result of accident, but
was glad now that it had been so. All,
[ little knew the anguished regret this
act of inadyertance would entail upon
me.
For three months, each week brought
the daily life she led, and showing me
more and more the treasure had won.
How l poured out my very soul in re-
ply.
At last the dreary time of waiting
was ended-the hour, the moment, for
our meeting came. Pale with expecta-
ton, | stood awaiting her on the plat
form of the crowded station.
The snOrting engine came laundering
up; then, obedient to the hand which
guided it, stood still. My heart almost
ceased It's beating. Supp Sc she had
not come? But not could not be!
All, she was here But who was this
who preceded her? Her sister.
Strange nothing had been said about
her accompanying her! But perhaps
at the last moment she had refused to
start alone.
l strained my eyes to see the loved
form following. She was not there.
What did it mean?
Miss Towards eyes roved up and
down. At last she caught sight of my
pale, troubled face. A smile ike sun
shine broke over her own. She came
quickly toward me, her hand out
stretched.
Harry" she whispered, "did you
fear had not Gomez"
A deadly faintness came over me.
"YOur sister," l murmured. "She
is not here?'
my sister," she repeated. "She is
not hereY showing her amaze. "My
sister! You said nothing of her accom-
panying me-"
Then | saw it all. Fool-fool that ]
had been By a more powerful effort
than [ believe myself capable of,
threw of the despair which was crowd
ing on heart and brain. Already the
clergyman was awaiting me and my
bride. Ny bride How differently
now [ repeat those wrods.
"What is the matter, Harry p asked
Adele. ''Can it be that you have nc
welcome for me?"
There was such reprOachful sadness
in her tone that it compelled me to be
strong and meet the fate my idle care
Iessness had brought upon myself.
[ hurried her into the carriage, and
then folded her in my arms. [ strove
to reassure, to convince her Of my
love; but | saw her glance wondering
| ly into my face, even while my lips
pressed hers.
Once, as the ceremony was being per
formed which made our lives forever
one, she paused, as though tempted
even then to withdraw; but with reas
suring pressure of my hand, she gained
courage and went ON to the end.
To the end ? For me, when woulC
come the end | had arranged to be
away from my home some few days
and had planed out their every deliciou,
hour. Now | pleaded urgent business
for an immediate Teturn-to which
Adele gladly acquiesced.
| She said she was anxious to see hel
home. Once there, | felt could grow
calmer. Each hour that | could spend
away from her | passed in almost
frenzy. My terrible misery, and the
necessity for its concealment, rackeC
me night and day.
Our home reached, it grew worse
rather than better. 1t was pitiful tc
see Adele's efforts to brighten it with
the pretty things she had brought from
home. What a wonderful difference 8
woman's tact will make
One night, as we sat together,
thought | had grown strong enough tc
ask the question which for three wretch
ed weeks had been trembling on my
lips.
"AdeIe," 1 said, tell me of May
Was she sorry to give you up?'
She was less sorry than she would
have been, because she was so engross
ed with her own affairs. She is to be
married, you know, next month. Dear
little May! 1t was so hard that haC
to leave before the ceremony took
place"
The room swan before me. Married
May married. l strove to answer, but
my tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth. l was capable of but one
thought-married! married. and to an
other. Was | repeating the words
aloud? was | mad? was | dreaming?
knew not, as, with low cry of anguish
; [ fell forward in what seemed to me :
gulf of blackness.
When | awakened from what seemed
to me a long swoOn, Adele's eyes me
} mine. But l forgot myself in the
, change in her.
She was very thin and deadly pale
her eyes seemins too large for her face
| learned all too soon that she had no
left my bedside for fourteen days anC
nights, during which time I had beer
T tossing in delirium of brain fever.
| j IL IL j