Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-19
LOVE AND DUTY.

It was wild and rocky coast, along
which ran the path that led to the
home of old Martin Frere At Or
dinary times the cottage would have
possessed but little attraction for
bold sterling youth like Owen Glenn.
But visitor had of late frightened
up its precicts-a young girl named
Annis, named after the aged grand
mother who dozed by the heart
through the long evenings, content to
watch the bright flames as they shot
up from the broad fireplace, and per-
haps to see visions of the past with her
dim eyes.
Dame Frere was a sharp-voiced,
bustling woman, long past middle age,
and not having the name of possessing
a very sweet temper, but she had
soft place In her heart for granny,
and it was to please her that she had
invited her pretty name-child to conse
and visit them for few months.
Annis was a tall, slight girl, as
straight as pine tree and as graceful
as q fawn. Her yellow hair hung In
a perfect maze of shining curls all
about her shoulders and far down be-
low her waist. Imagine a sweet,
innocent face lighted with great las
trous dark eyes, and red mouth
almsst always curving into smiles,
and you have some idea of Annis.
Most of the young girls in the vicin-
ity were buxom, merry IasSes, with
hair and eyes to natch-both of in
tense blackness-a with more or
less of the hoyden in them. Their
laughter was loud and hearty, and
their ways more frolicsome than re-
fined So that it lis not strange that
when this graceful, quiet stranger
cane along them, with her shy ways
and blaRde colOring, her swift changes
of expression and native ease of man
ner, she was at once taken into the
hearts of all the young people in the
neighborhood.
It is great mistake to think that
one girl is insensible to another
maiden's beauty. Sometimes, to be
sure, she may have feeling of jeal-
ousy with regard to it when she is
naturally of that disposition. but
oftener she loves the object of her
admiration all the more because she
embodies all that ideal which exists
less degree.
Owen Glenn had fallen head over
heels in love at his first meeting with
Annis, and had not missed an oppor-
tunity of meetiRg her at the various
rustic gatherings to which she had
been invited; and tonight he was go
ing to seal his fate by telling Annis
that he loved her, and ask if he could
hope for response to the ardent feel
ing with which he had been inspired
by her.
Owen was not at all certain as to the
success of his suit, for there was
another who admired Annis, and who
was far above him In worldly station
and wealth, and as Owen, in his free
dom from vanity, also thought. in
good looks and IN other qualities cal
culated to win girls heart.
Annie had reached the pleasant lit
tie courteSies and attentions of both
in q way calculated to wound neither;
though, as to that, it would have been
an impessibility for her to be other
than so sweet and gracious as not to
enkindle hope in each passionate
young heart.
Thus matters stood as Owen started
from his home to take the long and
tedious walk over the cliffs, which
must be traversed before he could
reach the cottage which sheltered the
object of his love.
1t had been raining steadily all day
long, and as night came on the wind
had risen TO a gale.
But, wrapped in his waterproof
cloak and lighted on his way by a
lantern, Owen cared nothing for the
threatening elements, and walked
along, whistling softly, now and then
pausing to shake himself, after the
fashion of some huge water dog.
Then he would trudge on again,
thinking what a terrible night it must
be at sea, and breathing B prayer for
the waye-tossed mariners far from
home.
Suddenly a dull, booming sound
reached his ear.
1t came from a scaward direction,
but at first he kept on his way, think
ing:
''This is not the harbor, and every
one who has the slightest knowledge
of the locality will be sure to avoid
such a dangerous coast; SO it's no
business of mine"
Again the sound came. This time
Owen stopped and listened.
A thought came to his mind as he