Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-01

cards." she said. Personal interviews
are not usual in such commissions, nor
are they at all needful-if the cards are
really all that you wish to talk about"
and the lady flashed upon him mag
pair of Irish eyes, blue, with
black lashes, and full of the peculiar
fascination which sometimes accompa-
MES the possession of short sight. Il
can furnish you with a set of cards on
silk painted by the same person, and
exactly like these, but with different
subject, which we happen to have for
sale at this moment. Will that answer
your purpose?"
There was mingled archness and
soft sweetness in the manner which
was infinitely captivating, and which
won Alex to sudden confidence.
mo, that will not answer at all, " he
said. II don't care specially about
the cards, but | am anxious to see the
artist, and verify suspicion l have
that she is an old friend of mine"
He was amazed afterward when he
remembered his own frankness of
speech. The lady listened with an in
terest which seemed to divine mean
ing beyond his words.
81 will be frank in my turn" she
said at last, her beautiful eyes full of
the sympathy which love tale, re-
vealed or suspected, always excites in
a true woman. Evelyn Morris did
paint those cards. She was favorite
of mine always, and when this society
was started, wrote urging her to turn
her talent for painting to account
through us. They are greatly reduced
in circumstances, as you may have
heard, and she was glad to take my
advice. Their quiet life gives her
plenty of leisure, and her things always
tell, they are SO choice and so exqui-
sitely DONE"
Indeed, I should think so. Where
do the family live?"
81 think may tell you, though they
prefer to keep their retreat a secret
from most people. 1t is at Merton,
village in Southern New Jersey. 1t is
an out of-the-way place. You have to
take three railroads to get there, and
there is long drive besides. I wish
you might have time to go down and
see them. They have few visitors, as
you may suppose, and an old friend
will be treat"
81 shall certainly hope to do So"
"When you return" continued Mrs.
Curtis, perhaps you will kindly come
to see me, and tell me something about
Evelyn, whom I have not seen for
nearly two years, though we are con-
tinually corresponding about dinner
cards and the like"
"a thousand thanks" taking the
cards he offered him. ''It will be a
great pleasure to do So"
"You begin with the New Jersey Cen
trail, and change twice, but I can't tell
you where you will have to learn
that on the road" went on his new
friend. Then, with CLINT of fun in
her mobile face 'Good-by, Mr.. Dent:
don't lose your way. MERTON, have
always heard, is very hard place to
reach, and an equally hard place to
get away from"
So, indeed, Alex found it. A long
dag of slow, jolting railway travel, with
continual stops and frequent changes,
ending with drive Of miles over sandy
roads, brought him to Merton; and
once there, he was in no hurry to
come away. Evelyn Morris at twenty
nine was no whit less charming in his
eyes than in the early bloom Of nine
teen. Nay, time had lent further
charm, soft courage, a ripened gen
tleness, and amid the simple refine
ment of her surroundings her beauty
beamed with added luster. Alex gazed
at her with a wonderment which he
could hardly conceal. By what iDcon-
ceivable good fortune had this lovely
creature remained till twenty-nino un-
married? It could not be fer lack Of
suitors. Even if, like the poets star,
confined in a tomb" some eye. he
was sure, must detect and covet the
treasure. What happy chance had
saved her for him-and was it for him?
That was question which he longed to
ask, but dared not yet.
In a single week all the friendly rela-
lions of old times seemed restored.
Alex secured a lodging in the village,
and spent as many hours day as he
dared in the society Of his love. Al
ways the same gentle welcome met
him as he sat by Evelyn's side, and she
wrought at her dainty handicrafts
their talk bridged the long interval Of
separation, and the old-time sense of
intimacy revived, blent with a new fas-
cination as each recognized in the
other the qualities which ten years had
matured and unfolded. Day by day
Alexis hopes strengthened, but with
the misgivings of a true lover he de-
layed, loath to break the blessed peace
and certainty of the moment by
rash or premature word. At last he
spoke, taking the dinner card for his
text.
"You see," he added, ''this was my
clue. I; helped me to find you. And
now that I have found you, will not be-
that | must ever loose you again. |
have loved you for ten years without
daring to hope that 1 should ever have
chance to speak my love. Now Ev-
elyn, dearest, tell me my fate"
She did not answer in words, but she
put her hand in his, and her eyes were
around the slender waist, and as he
stopped for his first lovers kiss, she
murmured, "at lastr"
"At last !" he said surprised.
"At last" she repeated. ooh, dear
Alex, foolish Alex, did you never guess
that when you went away so long ago
you carried my heart with your" Then
while he stood amazed, "a woman can
not speak though her heart break, she
may not speak what she feels. When
we parted that day I felt that l must
wait till you came back to me, and l
have waited. though 1 dared not hope
Won would come I waited because