Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-09
A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS.

Marian, dear, how Is the morning,
fair or cloudy?" inquired Ethel Ray,
turning on the invalid couch, where
she lay day as we'll as night.
Marian swept the scant curtain
back from the narrow window Of
their poor room.
Ozark and cloudy, shereplied, the
cold dreariDess of the new day strik-
ing a chill to her sensitive, heavily
burdened heart. A tired, hopeless
look swept over her delicate, noble
face, leaving a slight droop at the
corners Of her moath, a shadow in her
eyes. Ethel saw the change of ex>
preston, and for moment her own
grew less cherries and bright.
''Never mind; there will be rift
in the clouds by and by, she said,
with renewed vi2Or.
''I am glad you have such faith,
pet,n said Marion, still looking out on
the street.
a poor beggar crept feebly along,
his rags futtering n The bitter wihd,
and In pity for lot sadder than her
own the girl lost some Of her siscon-
tent. She turned from the window
with brighter expression, and put on
her hat and cloak to start out on that
weary round of music lessons which
were their support.
II am sorry to leave you all day,
Ethel, but it will be late before [ get
through" "
do not fret about me, Marian.
Mrs. O'Malley will come in and give
me my lunch and fresh glass of
water, and | have this beautiful lace
to mend for Miss Constantine, and
that magazine you brought me yester-
day to read. Oh, I shall be fully oc-
cupied until you return"
''Well, we'll, It is comforting to
have so brave and busy q little sister
at home. I think Of it often when I am
out, and it gives me courage" said
Marian, bending over the couch with
tender, misty eyes.
The crippled girl clasped the slender
hand caressiDg her nair, and drew 1t
down against her pale cheek.
''Am / TO help YOU, Marian? Oh,
that thought makes me happy. I lie
mere such a helpless, useless creature; !;
sometimes I have feared that I was
only burden to you"
''Never thing that agains dear
one-never. If it were not Tor you
She broke off, and STOPPING, kissed
the sweet pale fac8 resting on the pill
low, but when she would have
moved away Ethel held hera moment
longer.
''Marlan, darling, do not lose your
faith and hope, There viii be clear
sunshine after awhile, and all the
dark clouds will vanish"
II will try to think so, " she replied,
with a smile-a smile that vanished
the moment she LETT her sisters pres
ence, an, memory began to bring
up one by one the events Of the two
years just passed.
The girls mad been left orphans at
an early age. but with property suffi-
cient to supply all they could ever
need, not only of necessities, but eveu
luxuries Their guardian controlled
the money, and they lived IN his
house, under the care of his good
hearted maiden sister. Ethel had
always been lame and delicate, but
Marian went out into the world, see
ing and enjoying its beauties and
pleasures.
Walking swiftly along to give her
first music lesson, she drew sharp
breath of anguish, as memory too
faithfully recalled all the glory and
happiness of three months tour ia
Europe, with a party of friends, just
before the downfall of fortune. At
the very outset they met Mark Keller,
handsome, travelled, and to the young
girl very king among men. He
joined the party, and singled her out
as the object of his attentions. The
routes they travelled he had been over
before, and he could point out all that