Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-11-25

return or tne1r V1cGOfS. Ene1f minus D61nS
nodded and tinted to their warlike sur
roundings. Battles BODIED only an access
of honor and glory.
Rumors at length reached Avonleigh
that a great and decisive battle had been
fought, in which the hoase of York had
triumphed. Preparations on a magnif-
cent scale had commenced at the castle
for the return of the victors. Joy-bells
rang from every steeple and belfry in the
village. All were jubilant in the belief
that their noble lord was coming home
with honors. All, but here was messen-
ger at last riding in hot haste. He looked
neither to the right nor the left as he
rode past the gay banners and the re-
sounding cheers of the happy villagers.
Both horse and man were sore, jaded and
covered with foam, from long and con-
tinued riding, but he never drew rein I'M
til he reached the castle, whose gates are
thrown wide open, bar and emblems Civ
ing way to graceful arches and emblems
of welcome.
In the outer courtyard he flung the
reins to a servant, who stares at him in
silent wonder. Another astonished lac
quey is requested to lead him to the
presence of the Lady Miriam.
Through gorgeously decorated halls,
where the air is heavy with the odor of
flowers, huge vases of white roses greet
the eye at every step, dropping, as if in
welcome, their rich petals at his feet.
Truly the fairest and fttest welcome to
the victor.
Geoffry Yane was a brave gentleman
and gallant soldier, who had often con-
fronted death in many shapes-a man to
whom fear was without meaning-yet to-
day his heart sank weakly and his limbs
trembled as the rustic of a woman's dress
fell upon his ear. In another moment he
is bending low before Miriam Grey, who
is his cousin, and whom he has never seen
until to-day.
There is glad and gracious welcome in
her eyes and voice as she holds out her
hands to him. All! how can he tell
her the story which may quench the light
in those bright eyes forever, or mayhap
chill the white hand to death now lying in
his own.
Oh, victorious white roses, whose beauty
is sullied by the life-blood of her father,
lover and brother, we'll may you droop
your heads in the great halls below, and
shed your pale leaves in pity for her whose
peerless head is we'll nigh level with the
dust. Aye, this day of glorious victory
brings grief unutterable to the now desc
late Lady Miriam.
The October winds are signing among
the gables and turrets of the castle, whis-
pering the woeful taleto theFleafess trees
and dead flowers. The crimson and gold
leaves are being buried beneath the snow
which is; piling high above them, and all
nature puts on her saddest grab as the
magnificent mausoleum at Avonleigh
closes its pOnderouS doors upon the dead
victOrs.
Like white shadow the helpless Lady
Miriam PAGES ever through the lonely
halls and galleries, where the dead roses
are still untouched. No hand has been
allowed to remove the withered emblems
of welcome since that fatal day.
Frozen and cold as the beauteous eidel-
weiss she has buried herself from the
world. Patiently and hopelessly has
Geoffery Vane tried to warm the dead
heart to life. Long and tenderly he has
hoped that the stricken heart-tendrils
might revive and bloom again in the sun
shine of his love.
The Spring-time has come again with
its soft blue skies. The tender flower
buds5are unfolding to the sun-god, whose
breath nurses them from the brown bosom
of the earth. The Summer has come
with all its gladness. But yet no bloom
comes to the cheeks of the widowed girl
no brightness to the sad eyes.
Again the October moon Is bathing the
castle of Avonleigh in its yellow light,
filming grotesque shadows upon the state
~ mausoleum, and the dying flowers are
ere the rude touch of Winter comes upon
them. Up in her boudoir the golden head
is bowed in prayer; she hears not foot
step until Geoffry Vane utters her name
reyerenly. She lifts her head looking at
him Wich eyes that seem to emit the very
light of heaven itself. His heart bounds
with great Joy. At last she is awaking
to his patient love. The cold hands are
not withdrawn from his now. For the
first time the weary head was resting
against his heart. At last his unwearied
love has found an echs in the sweet
bosom and moistened the parched heart
The lips which his warm kisses fall up.
on for the first time are cold, but oh! the
love and life and promise that he sees
in the ineffable smile with which she tries
to reward him. It was truly
moments CLEAN Of sum-
Sweetning the very edge of doom
The past. the present, all that fate
Can bring of dark or desperate
Around such hours,
But make them cast
Intense radiance while they last.
SPECIFICS with his great happiness
he holds her closely in his arms. For
one brief moment the beautiful lips are
appraised to his, andin that one long kiss
the wounded white rose breathes her last
loving sigh, and Geoffry Vane holds the
dead Lady Miriam in his close embrace.
Sixteen-Pound Bunch of Grapes.