Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-26
LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.

''How do you feel now, mother
dear?" asked tender young voice.
''Is your head any better?"
mo, Mabel. It aches and aches,
until I almost wish | could die. Lay
your hand here"
Mable's cheek paled as her mother
took her hand and pressed 1t against
her burning temple.
Such fire would soon burn out life's
fikerlng taper.
She wet cloth and bound it round
the fevered head. AS she did SO the
sick woman gave q sigh of relief.
She opened her eyes and turned
grateful look upon the girl.
do you you know, Mabel" she
said feebly, Il dreamed last night of
the dear old home where we lived be,
fore your father died. You were a
wee toddling baby then. It seems to
me, if I could have some of the
flowers that grew In the garden in
front of the house, the very smell of
them would cure me-"
Tears rushed to Mable's eyes. They
lived In the great crowded city, and
they were poor. Mabel could not
spare from her soanty hoard even the
trihing sum for which she could buy
q bunch of flowers from the vendors
who were stationed at so many diff
ferent places along the street.
How could she get some of the
fragrant treasures for her mother?
Suddenly came q thought OF an
old-fashiOned mansion little way
out of the city. 1t was embowered In
a wilderness of bloom.
Surely it would be no harm for her
to go and ask for some flowers; they
could but refuse them.
She bent over the invalid and Kiss
ed her,
Mother" she said softly, eff you
will be content to stay alone for
few hours think I can crafty your
longing, if not for the blossoms that
grow about your old home, fer some
Just like them. I will ask Mrs. Gray
to come and give you your medicine
regularly"
Mrs. Gray was kind-hearted wo-
man who occupied part of the house
ia which they lived, and she readily
consented to minister to the invalid's
comfort in any way she could during
Mable's absence.
Tt was not without a tremor that
Mabel at last found herself in broad,
nearly-kept path which led to the
GWinne mansion.
A huge mastiff sprang toward her
as she nearel the house.
Down, Nero! Down.
The speaker was an old gentleman,
who evidently feared that the ap
proach of the dog would intlmldate
Mabel. But Nero contented himself
with good-natured sniff, reserving
his fercer side for a 1aore suspicious
party.
His master looked pleased to see
Mabel pat his head fearlessly. The
truth was, now that she was in the ia
the presence of the stately old master
Of the place, her heart failed her, and
she was glad of an excuse to defer
asking for the flowers.
"Well, miss" he said courteously,
''can / do any thing to put you IN the
way Of finding the person you are
seeking9'
''It is you, sir. came to ask you
for some flowers for my sick mother" p"
''PIck all you want The more the
better. You are welcome to all you
can carry"
just then Mabel heard clear, ring
ing shout: Grandfather T. and out OF
Re cool, tiled hall, of which an en-
..anting glimpse was visible through
the open door, came a youth who
looked to her like some prince from a
fairy land.
she was not accustomed to the luxu-
Jrious habits of the rich, and his dark
blue velvet dressing-go fastened
by its cord of shImmering, woven
gold, and the richly embroidered
smoking cap which rested on his curly
head, seemed to her altogether too
gorgeous a toilet for mortal like her
self.
But the illusion only lasted for a
moment. 4 pair of brown eyes, just
the color of a ripe chestnut, glanced
at her curlously as their owner came
down the walk.
''You are just the one I want,
Chauucey. Get my pruning-shears
and basket off the table in the lower
hall, and bring them to me-"
Chauncey soon returned with the
desired articles, and Mabel found her
self following Mr.. Gwinne into the
garden. She was soon laden with
fragrant seoils, aud was sent home
ward rejoicing with a kindly:
Come again when these are faded, .
from Mr. Gwinne.
When Mabel reached home and her
mother saw the flowers, she put out
her hands with a delighted exclama-
ton.
Give them to me, child, quick
The very sight of them gives me new
strengtnr