Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-19
DELISLE'S REVENGE.
BY @. L. HILDRETH.

BY @. L. HILDRETH.
I finished my letter to my old
friend, Clarence Bell. whom [ had not
seen for two years, with the following
paragraph:
81 am sometimes frightened at my
own good fortune, dreading like the
ancient Greeks lest such happiness be
followed by some compromising disas-
ter. Even yet [ feel as if [ were the
victim of O divine illusion. I can
scarcely believe that ], with so little
to recommend me, have really won
the love of such a woman. / wish you
could see Lois Beautiful is not an
adequate word for such face as hers.
[ cannot describe her to you, for /
should utterly fail to convey the
sweetness md purity of her expression
and the nameless influence that fingers
around her like the odor or some ex-
quisite Oriental flower. Is this ex>
travagance? Very well; tits none the
less true"
One morning, a few days later, the
door of my Office opened and Clarence
entered, cool, careless, handsome as
of old-the same Clarence who had
ruled me by the charm of his presence,
laughed at me, and borrowed my
money during our college days.
''You did not expect me?" he said,
after L had warmly welcomed him.
''The fact is, Delisie, your letter arous-
ed my curiosity. la the first place, ]
don't believe half of it, mind but,
allowing even for lovers exaggera~
ton, you have apparently found q
jewel, Ell"
''There is not such another ia the
world" / responded.
"Let me see" he said, with refec-
tive air, what is her name?"
''Lois Lorimer."
''Her ages"
Twenty"
"Goodl And her coloring?"
"a lovely brunette, with soft, dark
eyes and rich, red-browA hair"
"Perfectionv he exclaimed, laugh
ing in his half-moking way. II per-
ceive that l shall envy you"
SIT will do credit to your TASTE" l
replied. However, you shall judge
fer yourself. She expects me this
evening. Come with nae and prepare
to admire"
There are those who say that, if we
would but heed it, we are always fores
warned of any great sorrow in store
for us. 1t may be so; but 1t was cer>
tainly without the faintest distrustful
provision that introduced my friend
to my betrothed.
I was proud of him. with his hand
some face and winning manner.
And how beautiful she was, in her
white summer dress, with her favor
tie scarlet flowers in her bosom and a
delicate flush coming and going in
her cheeks as she arose to welcome
u.s.
saw Clarence start as he beheld
her and look of undisguised wonder
and admiration displace his ordinary
careless expression. Contrary to
his usual habit, ne talked but
little, keeping his eyes fastened up
on Lois, as If fascinated.
When we left her he walked beside
me in silence for some time. Sudden>
ly he drew deep breath and said, as
if to himself:
''She is revelation.
rs she not? exclaimed, triumph-
antly. Am not afortunate fellow
TO nave won ner loves
''Her love! !" he repeated, absently.
"She loves you? True" he added
bursting into laugh, 81 had forgot
ten. I congratulate you, Delisle you
are indeed the most fortunate of men.
You wanted me TO envy you, and /
do with all my heart A man might
give his right arm, his life even, to be
In your place. There, am sufficient.
ly enthusiastic2'
He relapsed into silence, and during
the rest or the evening remained
moody and distracted.
IF love is blind, friendship is GER
tainly nearsighted. During the three
weeks that followed if anyone had
told me that my dearest friend was
revolving in his mind the basest IN
jury one man cen do another, or thai
the woman I loved in the deepest
fibre of my heart was being slowly
but irresistibly drawn away from hel
plighted faith, should have laughed
the story to scorn.
There was no leaven of doubt in my
love for both, nor any shadow upor
my happiness.
I had indeed observed change IN
Clarence Bell. He was no longer the
careless, idle friend of former times
He had become restless, gloomy anC
irritable. From visiting Lois with
me almost daily, he refused to see hel
at all.
''Let me alone" he said, almost saw
agely, when [ had repeated my Gus