Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-12-06

gleefully in the sunshine; for Gilbert
had made his home beautiful because
he wanted Lillian to like it.
Mother" said the young man, with
a tremble in his voice, Il loved hertz
''But you never were actually be-
trothed," spoke the old lady, pitifully.
mot in words, mother; but we I'M
derstood each other, and No mat
ter; it's over and past now," said Gil
bert, sadly.
Mrs. Dawson pressed his hand with
true maternal sympathy.
MY poor boy!" she whispered.
''Try and forget her"
Il can't do that, mother. But, with
a sudden resolve, III 90 away from
here. I'll accept my Uncle Raven
burns invitation to 90 with him to
those old Mexican cities, where he is to
sketch and paint. I'm not much of an
artist myself, but can manage to while
the time away somehow. At all events,
[ can't stay here and see Lillian mar
ried to that pompous fellow, Darling. ="
He had not been gone ten minutes to
the village, after that mOmentOus con-
yersation, when there came the tiniest
of knocks to the door, and in response
to Mrs. Dawson's ''cOme inn' there en-
tered-Niss Lillian Bourne herself.
Fresh from the spring woods, with a
basket of the pale pink, trailing arbutus,
which she herself had gathered, in her
hand.
But she paused on the threshold as
she saw the hardening lines around the
mouth of Gilbert's mother
'.Am | in che way?h she asked, tim
idly. Have l come at the wrong
time?''
pray, walk in, said Mrs. Dawson,
trying to simulate the cordially which
her soul refused to offer to the girl who
had broken her sons heart.
Il found these arbutus-stars in the
woods" said she. II knew you were
fond of them. May I put them in a
saucer of water for you?"
Mrs. Dawson assented, still without
much warmth of manner.
Il am much obliged to you," said
she, coldly.
Il hope Gilbert is we'll, said Lillian,
the color flaming hotly up into her
cheek.
''Quite well, [ thank you," said Mrs.
Dawson. ''He is going to Mexico with
my brother, Mr.. Ravenburn, next week,
and is consequently very busy, because
- Why, what is the matter, Miss
Bourne?''
For Lillian had grown deadly pale,
and uttered little cry.
'It's-it's my TOOTH" she faltered.
cit has been filled, and sometimes the
cold air makes it Jump so dreadfully.
think I'll 90 home and put a little
oil of peppermint on it. .
And so Lily slipped away, and cried
all the way home behind her veil.
But by the time she reached her own
little room, however, sorrow had given
place to anger.
''What have [ done, that he should
treat me SOP" she asked herself with
indignant heart-beats.
And then she gathered up all his
presents-the bunch of withered rose
buds, tied with the faded blue ribbon,
''Aldrich's POems," the peach-stone
basket that he had carved himself, and
the glittering crystals which he had
brought her from Diamond Island, and
the two or three little letters and notes
he had written her at one time and an
other.
i will send them backr' she de-
clared. ''He may take them to Mexico
if he likes. | don't want them any
longer"
BY strange coincidence, however,
as she was setting forth to the village
postoffice with the neatly tied packet,
she met Mr.. Dawson himself
He stopped. She stayed her foot
steps also. They both colored, celes-
tial rosy red.
Il am glad [ met you before you
went to Mexicon' said Miss Bourne,
haughtily.
Are you?'' said Gilbert, trying his
best to appear like a statue of ice.
II wish to return you these things, ="
said Lillian. ''Of course, they're of no
consequence, but [ thought perhaps
you would like them back again"
''Thanks!" said Gilbert, stiffiy. ''You
were right. 1t was exactly what 1 was
going to ask you for. .
Its pity you ever gave them to
me, since they meant SO little" said
Lily, with a quivering lip.
at is hardly worth while to discuss
! IndG question HOW, Sd1u UIID6Il.
can only hope that you will be very
happy with Squire Darling! And
ZIP" cried Lily with Squire Oar
ling? Why, what on earth have I got
to do with Squire Darling?"
Aren't you engaged to him?" asked
Gilbert.
Up echoed Lily once again.
Lily, don't tritle with me-" sternly
uttered Dawson. Il am in earnest.
Have you promised to be Rufus Oar
ling's wife, or have you not?''
.'Of course [ haven't said Lily, be-
tween tears and laughter. How could
/, when he never asked me. And if he
! had
Yes" said Gilbert, with kindling
eyes; land if he had
Il should have said No, >" whisper
ed Lily.
''Why?" demanded Gilbert, imperi-
ously.