Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-12-20

the Dlue Hanne1 shirt, MS throat pare,
and fair curls showing their crispness
under the simple cap.
May ran tieetly up the old staircase
to her mother s room, and Oswald went
back to his labor.
He walked and worked with mus
ing eve. 1t had cost him something,
stirred him painfully, to refer to his
experiences. He was not in the habit
of soeaking Of his misfortune.
His unjust disinheritance was a sore
spot, which be was fond of probing.
And a new thought haunted him now,
which he tried to put aside; and, leav-
ing his mOnotOnOus task, began to talk
with the men about a proposed blasting
OF rocks, for which q heavy train would
soon have to be laid.
You II be careful, boy-eh? Blast
ing is dangerous work, said a bent,
little man. in a low tone, at his elbow.
'I'll be careful, father" with rare
smile. I'VE shall not be ready for a
few days, anyway"
But when work hours were passed,
the haunting thought again took pos
session of him. This bluc-eyed Girl,
whom he had known but brief month
he loved her!
After he had parted from her the
truth broke upon him. How fair and
sweet she was, and how fragile Who
should win must keep carefully this
delicate flower, though May Probyn
was far from believing herself not
strong, en-. indeed, had q peculiar
elasticity of constitution Itwas rather
a nd Of
which seemed to need protection, and
the fostering care of love.
Did he read Alright those eyes of blue?
Had he found favor in their sight?
The thought made his countenance
luminous for q moment; then it grew
dOWncaSt.
He was a poor and homeless man.
He had no wish to wed one he loved to
such misfortune What would any
woman gain by giving up her freedom
and independence to marry him? He
could not support wife in comfort.
He would never ask this girl to live on
the wages of mining overseer.
How lovely she was in the Sunday
calm of the next day, walking slowly
along the pretty path of the old garden,
among the tall red hollyhocks, in a
dress Of simple white. with ribbons to
match her eyes!
He walked by her side The atten-
ton with which he regarded her did
not discompose her. 1t was part of
Mays charm that she seemed quite I'M
conscious OF her beauty, and unaware
of its effect upon others.
Have you heard the news" she
| L Il L Il
is going to take immediate posses
stomp
Il have not heard" And added,
SIT does not matter to me"
But something mattered. He sat
down YEARLY when she paused at a
rustic seat under an old tree.
The hOusekeeper told Mrs. Lord,
our landlady, that they were expecting
Miss Verschoyle this week. But per-
haps you do not like to talk of this?'
Il do notn' he answered, briefly.
He missed her glance of sympathy,
but he felt that she pitied him; yet,
she could not know how the world
seemed chaos about him.
Would he had never been born if the
best things of his fe-affection, home,
wife-must be denied him. He loved
this girl! he would love no other, and
he could never call her his Yet, the
reticent face of Oswald Tregarvis be-
trayed little.
Day by day he fought his fight. This
Miss Verschoyle, this unknown cousin
of his-how fortunate was she!
He recOllected that he would be ex-
pected to call on her All, that was
| IL Il, l. 1
have no anger against her. He had
heard that she had been poor. He be-
lieved she was an orphan. Yes, she
was fortunate.
Round and round went the weary
circle of thought. There was nowhere
relief but in the depths of toll in the
mines. Physically wearied, he would
spend his nights in sleep instead of
thought.
At length came the day appointed
for blasting the huge mass of rocks
which INSTRUCTED the opening of another
shaft The task was his, and the trust
an important one.
The train was laid and the locality
| cleared. No need to warn those who
were familiar with the danger of such
an explosion, but a lookout must be
kept for persons unconscious of the
peril.
Yet all seemed as it should be. The
sure red spot was creeping up the hill
on its way to the pOwder-filled drills.
The explosion would come, and no one
was liable to be hurt by the flying frag-
ments of rock.
Gathered in knots at intervals of safe
distances, the men waited for the terri
tic report of the blast.
Suddenly hand grasped Oswald's
arm.
Look there, boyr' whispered old
Mr.. Tregarvis, hoarsely.
Oswald followed his fathers point
ing finger to the top of the hill.
A woman's figure stood there.
Oswald did not know whom it was.
He only saw that she had come over
the hill from the other side, and pass
ing, had turned to look back over the
landscape. He saw, too, that the other
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