Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-12-22
Away went little Fanny and Lila

| =
ever much she tried to hold them back
At last they welled up so fast they top,
pied over their brims and rolled down
: her cheeks.
: She buried her poor, scared face on
her arms, leaning on the desk, and gave
way to little "weep" over her cares.
Presently she heard voices approach
ing, and little Charlie entered the room
! accompanied by a gentleman, both
talking vivaciously; but they stopped
as soon as their eyes fell upon her
Then she heard the gentleman ask in
whispered tones that sent strange
thrill toward her.
"Who is the lady, Charlie?"
THAT is Miss Grey, my music teach
er. She is going to give me my les
son."
'She seems asleep"
With her tear-stained face Lillian
dare not look up to show them that she
was not.
81 think so. I will call her. Miss
Greyw
"Stay-stay, Charlie! Do you know
what her first name is? Think now"
And there was an earnestness in the
deep tones that went straight to her
heart.
''N-no, Uncle George, [ can't think"
''Was it Lillian? Can you remember
that?"
eyes yes it is! I member; it is in
her music case" exclaimed little Char
lie.
'It can't be her." she heard the MUIR
INJURED tones in soliloquy; and then, Us
she very beautiful, Charlie?'
'ENo, Uncle George. She has big
red mark all down her cheek, So" and
he put his finger along his face diago-
nally. But her eyes are very pretty.
She was burned"
"Burned?" came the WHISPERED voice
breathlessly.
She felt, at any risk, she must pre-
tend sleep now, rather than admit she
had heard so much.
yes, uncle, it was at a ball a few
years ago. And they say she was very
beautiful, and going to be married soon
to lord; but after that he wouldn't
have her. l know, because [ heard
mamma tell Mrs. Green all about it."
She heard a deep catching of his
breath; and hurried step forward, and
then he said:
"Charlie, would you like me to sive
you that Chinese top bought? Very
well, then. Go up to my room and get
1t, and you may set to work and play
half an hour"
OFT scampered the boy with a crow
| of delight, and then the school-room
door was closed.
Light steps approached her, and she
felt head on her shoulder. She was
qulvering all over with emotion, and
the great sobs would surge up and have
vent.
miss Grey, you have not been
asleep: you have heard what was said.
Are you the Lillian [ once knew-the
Lillian | left to become the bride of
Lord Whatsoever? Nay, I know you are,
and that you remember George How
ell STILL"
But her face was buried on her arms
as before, and the tears were flowing
silently.
He continued tenderly and graveIy:
Do you remember | said was very
patient, Lillian? [ could wait and
hope? And do you remember what
answer L asked you for that night in
the conservatory? Will you give me
that answer now, my love?"
And he bent over her. and gently
tried to raise her head.
"No, George" she sobbed. al am
altered since my accident. You
haven't seen me. You would not ask
me if you had still keeping her
burning face in the sheltering arms.
Do you not remember what then
said about your beauty, Lillian? Your
face would always be beautiful to me.
Then give me your answer before I see
you, love-"
He drew the musicstool toward him,
and sat down beside her, with his arm
round her waist.
"Never! You shall know whom you
would marry, George"
And she raised her head bravely.
There certainly was a change. A big, |
dull scar down one side Of the face, and |
cutting into the curved upper lip; the
eyebrows grown again, but not so fine
lly penciled as of yore; and the dark |
lashes not so deep in their fringing as
they were when he last saw her.
But then, the soft, wistful eyes looked |
up at him through mist of tears with
a new and purer expression, and the
Christening finger of sorrow had left
light on the pale features sweeter and
calmer than pride could give.
And George Howell, as he gazed on
her, forgot the scars ard all that was APP
pertaining to that fiery Christening, and
only thought the countenance that had
come through it more tender and beau
tiful.
And he told her SO; and when he
pressed her for his answer, she whis-
pered, eyes, George, if you will have
me-"
And then she told him of her love
for him, and how she had called him
back, but it was too late; and then of
her fearful accident, and those weary
years; how she often wondered where
he had gone.
"Half over the world my love-" he
cried, merrily; and in luck's way, too.
A nice little fortune I've gathered;
enough to buy back Burnham house. if J.
you will"
Then looking at his bronzed face and
brown eyes, and curly brown locks, she
told him shyly how handsome he had
grown, and really he was too cookbook
ing for her; and he laughed and said she