Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-20
AT DEVILS LAKE

went to Devils Lake, that lovely summer
resort in Wisconsin. They rented cot
tage and we settled down for y summer
of delicious ease and comfort. The party
were all married but myself and sOmt
children with whom | spent whole days
rambling about
There were few visitors as yet for some
reason and we could be as unconventional
as we pleased. / taught school for
my living in those days, before Aunt
Kate died and left me so rich, and
was worn out with a long hard term.
All asked was peace and quiet and re-
sented any attempt TO draw me into the
mild dissipation indulged in by the rest
So when the neighboring cottages were
taken by a party of merry city people |
felt really injured. They mere nearly all
Young folks and among them several
young men. | found my care free life
was over, for caught one Of them peep
ing at me as lay in my hammock in the
cool shade of the trees where had only
TO raise my eyes to behold the lovely
stretch of water and the cool shadOwy
hills beyond.
He thought himself unobserved and
moved quietly away but | knew there
was to be no more long lazy days in wrap
pers and slippers, no more long, idle ram
bles lone with the children. How the
masculine element disturbs matters any
way.
Before ten hours had passed found
myself bowling in response to an intro
duction to the owner Of those very brown
eyes that had dispelled peace from my
Eden.
Somehow he had managed 20 get intro
duced to Mr.. Bennet our dragon and
pleasing him had been brought home to
informal tea As said before SO ended
our peace and quiet.
Mr.. Bennett satisfied himself by letters
to Chicago as to their social position and
then we were sll drawn into . whirl Of
gayety enjoyed it all amazingly for 1t
was a decided change from a ward school.
The gentleman have mentioned was
called Ward Howe and was without ex
ception the handsomest man / ever saw.
l shall not describe him, only speak Of his
eyes. They were like deep forest pools,
dark and fathomless yet capable of ex-
pressing all the feelings of mans soul
and many which he did not possess.
He attached himself to me from the
first and became almost my shadow. /
enjoyed his society as he was well
educated, well bred, full Of Wit and could
on occasion be also profoundly wise or
what passed for wisdom in our merrimsnt.
All Of the party were musical, and
most were possessed Of some instrument,
and when they all got together the music
that went pealing out over that quiet lake
night after night wa, worth hearing.
never Joined, preferring my lazy swing
in my hammock 10 exerting myself IS they
did But one day when Mr.. Bennett sent
10 the city for supplies sent for box Of
harmonicas
tell you their arrival produced . SEN
sation The idea took, and at all hours
from one to q dozen could be seen striving
to attain the accomplishment lam COM
pslled to laugh even now when | remem
Der some Of the concerts given with those
instruments.
Ward Howe was an accomplished
player, and when, in the early morning
or dewy eve, We fioated together in some
tiny boat on the blue water, the music
We two made was exquisite.
learned to like him wonderfully well,
and never were summer days so long and
sweet to a maid as those 30 me.
Time passed all too swiftly, and the
talk Of breaking up filed me with dis
may.
The day before our intended departure
Ward and went for one last afternoon
cn the water He gave me a cluster of
great white water lilies Is We started, the
most beautiful ever saw. The day was
heavenly, and was In paradise. When
/ returned was his promised wife, and
his betrothal kiss had thrilled upon my
lips.
We found departure had been deferred
for two days, and they passed in dream
Of delight.
The evening before we were to start We
two passed alone on the lake. For some
distance he rowed in silence, and we
watched the full round moon rise, flood
ing all things with halo of golden light.
1t was very quiet, only the sound Of the
',and coming family against the wind
and the throb Of the dance music at the
hotel, the noise Of the dancers feet 50
mellowed by distance a. TO be only
murmur.
lounged lazily in my seat, every pulse
thrilling with intensest enjoyment Of the
scene and hour.
He was silent 80 long that I at last
turned to say some loving word, but
paused aghast at the strange look en-
countered.
In answer to my startled inquiry, came
a burst of sgonized entresty for forgive
ness Of some wrong he had done me.
What was IT. cannot tell the story as
he told IL, cannot give the awful sorrow
and remorse he xpressed-but-he was
already married.
When the whole shameful story was
told, and pleading his unconQuering love
for me, he asked me TO pity and forgive,
my whole soul rose in rebellion. asked
very quietly why his marriage had been
concealed His only excuse was the de-
sire to get away from the whole misery of
it for a few weeks, and then he had
learned to love me so dearly that all OF
the future was forgotten in the present.
Then 7 said few hasty, cutting words,
words that for months haunted me like
an avenging fate He pleaded for pardon
and pity as for life, but was as iron,
never while life lasted would forgive his
touched the pier sprang out unsided,
only catching one look of those haunting
eyes as hurried away, gaining my room,
a wild sweep Of sorrow and agony came
over me. Oh, my wasted love my ruined
LlIC CNth nOW tndt lIDlt
without sorrow for the poor foolish child
Contrary TO expectation, we did not go
next day, and Mr. Bennet chartered a
steamer for last trip around the lake
the following evening. l had kept in
doors all Gay, pleading headache, wnIcn
my appearance corroborated fully. But
when evening came | dressed myself in
my prettiest, and met them all composed
ly. Even accepting his proffered atten-
tions as usual, SO as to arouse no COM
ment.
On the steamer tried hard not to be
alone with him, but he was as equally in
tent on a few moments private talk, and
soon outgeneraled me. He lured me to
shadowy nook, and at once renewed the
subject of our last conversation. | can
not now understand how resisted his
eloquent pleading, but | did. / vowed |
would never forgive him-neyer: not IL he