Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-21

| fascinating.
"May l ask what poet has the good
fortune to interest you so deeply2" he
asks, advancing and taking chair
that stands beside the lounge.
| She holds up the volume In her small,
jeweled hand for his inspection, and
soon they are earnestly talking of
their fav0rite books and authors: and,
watching the ever changing play of
| the dark, expressive face, he cannot
help saying to himself:
mo wonder the girls dread the idea
of bringing her out. Poor little May
Pm afraid she'll lose her lover !"
=
Jacks prophecy has been fulfilled.
Olive Sayles has created great sens
alton; and, appearing everywhere be-
side the two charming blends, Emily
and May Revels, her dark, Southern
type of beauty is all the more striking.
They would keep her in the back
ground if it were in their power; but,
after her first appearance in society,
that is simply impossible.
She is surrounded by admirers; and
among those who hutter about her
shrine, like moths before the flame, is
or rather would be, did he receive
the least encouragement-Miles Sted
man.
While she smiles almost impartially
upon all the rest, she has few smiles
for him. He is Mays lover, and Olive
will not permit him to waver IN his
allegiance.
One night however, DIR essed for par
ty, she enters the drawing room to join
the others before starting. Her satin
slippered feet make no noise, and she
has Gro 3sed the threshold before the
only two occupants of the room have
nOticedher entrance.
May is earnestly saying to her lover,
enforcing her words upon his atten-
ton by pretty, impressive gestures:
Eyes, indeed, she was nothing but
street-beggar when my uncle found
her and took pity on her. It is doubt
full if her parentage is honest, even.
And now she considers herself my
uncle's heiress, and | assure you the
ridiculous airs"
May chances to look up, and a
wave of guiltlests crimson rushes over
her fair face. There just inside the
room. stands Olive herself, her black
eyes flashing contemporary, and her
red lips curled IN scorn, as she looks
cody down upon the little schemer.
There is nothing else to show that she
has heard or resents the petty false
hood, but from that hour May Revels
has lost her lover.
Yes, she has lost him, and no power
Of hers can lure him back. For the
first time in her life Olive encourages
his passion. smiles upon him, leads
him on, and May can do nothing but
look on in bitter and impotent rage
Jack is looking on, too-sorry for May,
but even more sorry for himself.
II see how it is" he says to himself
at last, thinking it all out. ''She has
cared for him all this time, but tried
to conquer her feelings, knowing
him to be Mays lover. That was
honorable, at least. But now she can
resist him no longer, and does not try
to conceal her preference. Al, we'll! /"
with eart-heavy sigh ct is just
what I expected from the first. I
have seen for weeks that Miles was
ready to forsake the old love for the
new at single smile from Olive.
Poor little May?
But there came q day when Miles
Stedman openly declared mis- love,
and received an answer which he was
far from expecting.
81 can scarcely ask you to forgive
me, " said Olive, in slightly tremulous
tones, ''for [ know I don't deserve it.
I have never cared for you, Mr.. Sted
man, more than for others. I had an
object to attain, and was simply play
ing part. But there is one who does
love you sincerely" she added earnest
ly. 1T is May. Return to her and
try to be more constant in the future"
And to May, after he had taken his
departure:
81 have given you back ~ our lover,
but not until he has sued humbly for
my love-the love Of the street beg
gar, as you falsely represented me to
him, You remember that falsehood
I caught you in the midst of, do you
not9 Very well were I to repeat it
to my guardian, your uncle, might
become his sole heiress, Tor know
we'll that he would not leave you a
shilling. But am not quite capable
of that, SO you need have no fears. [
merely choose, instead, to show GU
the power I held over your lovers
heart. [ could have both him and
your uncles money ii choose. But I
want neither; you are welcome to
BOTH"
And with cool, exasperating sraile
which betrays how thoroughly she
understands her power over the hap
piness of her enemy, she leaves her
to her thoughts,
It is bitterly buuiliating to the lat
ter to know thai she must accept her
lover-if he ever should drift back to
ber-at the hands of her hated rival.
Still she cannot help herself, and she
is fain to be thankful for even that
chance of renewed happiness.
That same evening Jack returns
home sad and dispirited, though he is
not one to wear his troubles ION his
sleeve"
He goes to the library, half hoping
to find Olive there in her favorite pos
ition on the sofa. She is not there,