Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-24
FLQRIBEL.

/ noticed her she was being brought
down the steps in the nurses arms
but after the nurse had walked a little
way she put her down on the pave
ment, but kept fast hold of her, so
that she would not fall or be knocked
over by the crowd; and it was really
amusing TO see so tiny thing todd
ling along, Uttering little cries of de-
light at the numerous objects which
pleased her on the street.
She was beautifully dressed in some
silky material of delicate gray, and a
richly embroidered cloak nearly COW
cred her little form.
She haG long light hair which fell
in silken waves upon her shoulders,
and the sweetest eyes.
[ was SO attracted by her that [ fol-
lowed them to the Square, where the
nurse sat down on one of the benches
under a tree, while the little one
frolicked around. I took a seat near
by and watched her innocent gam
bols. Atlast l could not help saying
to the nurse:
What a dear little thing you have
there! And what little beautyp
yes, ma am" asserted the nurse,
pleased al my admiration Of her young
charge. "And so good; she doesen' I
give bit of trouble. "
What is her Nance" | enquired.
''Floribel."
ooh, what sweet name! FIoribel =
I called, "come to me, come!" and l
clapped my hands 10 attract her at
tentiOn
She stopped her chase of the
brown sparrows and looked at me
shyly, ;,
/ said, in as enticing a voice as posi-
bic, holding out my hands.
She'll come to you, ma am, said
the nurse; ''she is not bit afraid of
strangers.
And as she spike the little one came
running down the walk toward me,
with short, uncertain steps. I stoOp-
ed and picked her up and sat her on
my lap, kissing the dear little face,
and smoothing back the long silken
locks that had fallen over her eyes in
her play.
She could not talk plainly, in fact,
not at fall to be ineligible, but seem
ed to understand all that was said to
her She was so strikingly pretty
that she attracted the attention of the
passers-by, many of whom, especially
the ladies, stopped to give her a pas
sing caress. She sat on my lap for
some time, quite contentedly; de
lighted with watching the groups of
children trundling their hoops or
skipping by on their roller-skates.
At last l gave her back to the nurse
and went on my way. But the sweet
picture remained in my mind and
haunted me.
"Oh, that she We're Miner I ejacu-
lated. How I could love her!
What an intense source of pleasure
she would be to my lonely heart !"
I had been married six years, but
had never had child; and possessing
q very affectionate and demonstrative
disposition, l often longed for some
thing to bestOw my caresses upon;
something to interest me during the
long hours every day when my hus-
band was away at his office. We
Were wealthy, but in the midst of our
riches, my heart often felt void.
| wondered if [ would ever meet
the dear little thing again; but the
very next day there she was in the
Square. But two little girls had her
in charge this time, and they seemed
to watch over her with the tenderest
interest. Yet little Floribel was quite
independent, and as the children roll
led about on their skates, would run
and frolic among them, though they
took care that she was never hurt.
| found out that she lived in the
house from which [ had first seen
her coming out with the nurse, and
many a time | walked by there only
to catch a glimpse of my little favO-
rite. Sometimes I saw her at the
window, and would kiss my hand to
her, and she would nod her little
head in return TIL her hair tumbled
over her eyes. She soon came to
know me, / act her so often IN the
Square and took so much notice of her.
Generally she was with the nurse, Or
with the little girls, but sometimes
she was with a tall, stately lady with
very black hair, and eyes Of the same
deep hue, [ never spoke to her when
III company with the lady, lest the
latter should consider it liberty.
After while began TO feel that |
had lost day, if one passed without
my meeting little Floribeland having
play with her. [ told my husband
of my new-found source of pleasure,
and he laughed and said Il was just
like all the women"
My husband is very kind and indul-
gent to me, but lacking in sympa-
thy.
"Ob, Charles" I sighed, eff she
were only mine! [ would never
weary of petting and playing with
her.
"Well, Jennie, pet me-" said my
husband.
''But you're away all day; and l
can't pet you in the way could this
dear little thing. [ actually covet
her. | wonder if it's wrong to do
500"
] L I