Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-19

1eaVlng me In the rear LnaG ne naQ lOSt
his senses.
| was destined to receive a second
surprise the same evening. Lois was
in the habit of waiting for me in the
garden, but tonight she was nowhere
| to be seen. / went through the
grounds, looking for her in our &C.
customed haants, until [ reached a
rustic pavilion at the further side.
Parting tae leaves before the door, l
peered cautiously within. She was
there, but her attitude startled me.
She was sitting with her head resting
upon the table before her, her face
buried in her handkerchief, ssbbing
convulsively.
She arose hastily as I entered and
looked at me confusedly.
''It is you'll" she said, in tone all
most of alarm.
Whom did you expect2" respond
ed, In establishment; land why are
you weepinga"
She sank down again aud put her
hand 10 her side, as it to still the throb-
hing of her heart.
Eyes, expected you," she murmur-
ed; Il don't know what is the matter
with me. s.m nervous and ILL.,"
But | was not sati.ied; an indefn-
able uneasiness disturbed me. passed
my arm around her and, putting aside
the fallen trcsses of her hair, looked
at her earnestly and said:
"You are suffering, darling; will
you nottell me what it ISL"
Netting, nothing" she replied,
averting her face. ST am only un-
happy, that is all"
"Shall I leave you9" I asked, hurt
at her manner. 81 will come another
time"
mo, no." she cried Historically,
clasping me tightly; do not leave me.
I dare not stay alone. I feel as if I
were being drawn away from you by
a power over which I have no contol,
as if [ were under an evil SPELL"
Everybody seems unhappy to-
day." replied. ST left poor Clarence
in desperate mood. 1 would have
brought him with me, but he was
nowhere to be found"
She started to her feet and pushed
nae from her, with shudder.
''Do not bring him here again."
she exclaimed, passionately. "Do not
speak his name to me again."
''What has the poor fellow been do
ing nowa" I asked in surprise. Gle
has not been here lately"
''You do not know" she gasped, as
if making a violent effort. ''He comes
when you are not here. He is traitor
and your enemy: Avoid himl drive
him away AS you value your peace
of mind and mine, protect me from
him."
Before | could reply she lifted her
skirts and fed across the lawn, leaving
me stunned and amazed with what I
had heard.
There was dreadful significance in
her incoherent words. Was my friend
indeed untrue to me? Had he secretly
endeavored to undermine me in the
affections of my betrothed? Was that
the secret of his strange conduct of
late? My soul revolted at the idea I
could not believe that the friend to
whom had been so loyal and true,
would seek to do me so terrible an in
jury. There must be some mistake,
ssme misapprehension. would have
an explanation with Clarence and give
him an opportunity of exculpating
himself.
I returned to my dwelling and went
to his room, bat he was not there. I
sat down to wait for him; but as the
moments went by q nameless anxiety,
almost terror, crept upon me, until at
the end of an hour [ could bear it no
longer.
[ arose, resolving to go back to Lois
and to postpone my interview with
Clarence until morning.
Passing up the main avenue of the
grounds surrounding her home I
caught the glimmer of her white dress
in the adjacent shrubbery. and turned
aside to meet her. As | drew near I
discovered that she was not alone an
other step and I recognized her cons
panion. Il was Clarence Bell.
My first sensation was mere wonder;
the next, cold chill of terrible doubt
-douot of both of them. Instructive
ly concealed myself behind a hedge,
and waited for them to approach.
AS they came [ saw-and [ seemed
to be in the midst of some nightmare
as 1 saw it - that his arm was about
her waist and her hand was lying in
his.
I rubbed my eyes aud looked again.
Yes, it was indeed so. I was deceived
by my friend and betrayed by nay be-
trothed wife.
caught at the slender twigs of the
hazels to support myself, for the sky
seemed to be reeling above me and the
earth to be sinking beneath my feet.
Before that moment I did not know
that man could endure such suffers
ing and still live.
Presently the CONFUSION passed and
there was nothing left in my heart
but consuming hatred.
I watched them as they came to-
wards me with eyes starting from my
head. I heard his low, tender toaes,
and her smothered replies.
''Tt is too late to repent" he was
saying. 81 loved you from the mo-
ment I saw you. 1t was useless to
looo,1o% II ,o~1,% u.