Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-12


ideal of angels, and to think there was
no music like Nettie's clear, melodious
voice. By the magnetism of his own
true, earnest words, he had led her from
frivolity to the seeking of higher aims
and duties, and by the power of the
strong love wakened in his own heart he
drew her into his keeping. She loved,
as she followed all other impulses, with
fervent and deep affection, while she was
daily meeting her lover and the guide to
all the noblest pursuits of her life.
Mrs. Wheaton, a meek little widow
was only too glad to think of her child's
future intrusted to the care of a really
good man. as she believed the Rev. Al
fred Martin to be, and gave glad consent
to an engagement. And while autumn
winds were sweeping the fever from Nor
ton, Nettie was learning the lesson of
submission to a stronger will, and was
conquering many lifelong selfshness
and folly to please her betrothed, and be-
lieving that she had lost all relish for the
frivolities of the past.
Had the marriage followed at once up
on the wooing, [ think there would have
been happiness at the parsonage, where
the influence of the earnest minister
would have deepened till Nettie no longer
needed any earthly guide or support.
But Mrs. Wheaton decided that the brides
trOusseau must come from B and
Nettie went to her Aunt Mary's to re-
main till milliners and dressmakers com
pleted her outfit. The wedding was to
bel March, and while Aunt Mary shop
ped and stitched, Nettie took farewell of
the gayeties of her city home. She did
not mean to be inconsistent or to break
any of the good resolutions of the past
few months, but old friends welcomed
her with festival gatherings, and before
she realized it she was dancing, flirting
and Hitting from party to party with her
old zest and enjoyment.
Then, just for amusement, she allowed
the new lion, Count Lodoski, to pay her
marked attention. She told herself abe
was safe in her happy engagement, and
that he was too much man of society to
have any serious intentions.
1t was a mere Irritation for both of
them, and it served to pass away time to
listen to the stories of the Polish exile, to
waltz with him, drive, walk, ride with
him, and yet, with woman's skill and
cOqUet's ingenuity, keep him from any
compromising offer that would end the
amusement.
The term of Nettie's visit was nearly
over, when the enter tainment at Mrs
Hunts called together large number of
her old friends and new admirers. Count
LOdOski was more ardent than usual in
his expressions of admiration, and Nettie
was unc0mfortably conscious that he was
presuming upon the encouragement he
had received. The evening passed quick
ly, and it was near supper time when the
count, with a courteous bow, offered his
arm to Nettie for a stroll through the con-
servatOry, where a number of couples
were enjoying the cool, fragrant air, after
a dizzy waltz. They were chatting gayly
of the pleasures of the past few weeks, of
the coming festivities before Lent, when
Nettie, looking up, found they were the
sole occupants of the conservatory.
The strains of the newest galop fully
explained the absence of their former
companions, and the girl was moving
quickly toward the door, when the count
gently but firmly held her back. She
realized in an instant the position into
which her own folly had brought her, but
tried to affect Inconsistencies still.
Il am engaged for this galop, count"
she said, with her usual sweet smile, $50
you must not detain me now.'
''Yet for awhile you will stay with me,'
said the handsome foreigner in his strong
ly accented English. II must say few
words with you"
"AnOther time!''
"Now!"
The mans voice had a ring of authority
that Nettie resented instantly.
''Let me passr' she said, haughitly.
''YOu forget yourself strangely, SIR
Il forget all but love when I am near
YOU" he cried, and broke into stream of
eloquence, an unmistakable offer of heart
and hand, more than limiting that he was
sure of return of his ardently -express-
ed devotion.
In vain Nettie endeavored to check the
flow of words, every one of which she
felt as an insult to the man she really
loved, in spite of her foolish vanity, and
to whom she had promised faithful affec-
ton. The count spoke so rapidly that
not until he paused for his reply could
Nettie find an opportunity even to speak.
Then, in a faltering voice, half-choked
by her cOntending emotions, she declined
the honor of an alliance with the Polish
nobleman.
"YOu cannot mean to refuse me!' he
cried, in genuine establishment; ''you can
NV mum 'hAe"O J iA0'fN CSSAA WI uOoUA1lS
SO heartlessly!'
II mean that I must decline your pro-
pOsal," she answered, more firmly, ''and
request you to allow me to pass"
But, Miss Wheaton-Nettie! You love
me; surely you would not let me so de-
ceive myself. You love me! There is some
bar, perhaps, to our marriage; but you
love me-"
Il am already betrothed," the girl said,
desperately, not conscious of the inter-
probation her words admitted until a
third voice spoke.
"Consider yourself free, Miss Weaton,
if you love this mani" said Mr.. Martin,
stepping into the room. Pardon my in
trusion. I came Unexpectedly to the city
and your aunt told me you were here.
Mrs. Hunt kindly directed me to this
room, where 1 find my coming most OPP
perfume. [ have the honor to bid you
good evening and farewell!''
And not seeing Nettie's piteous, plead
ing face, he turned and left the conserva-
tory. A moment later Mrs. Hunt was
hurrying to the room where Nettie had
fallen senseless, overcome, the anxious
hostess said, by the heat and perfume of