Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-01

| photograph-album and left me-
Suddenly my heart beat wildly, so
| that it shook me. Garth stood before
me.
Trying the effect of my ancestors
on taeir eads?" he asked.
saw that l held the book upside
down, and closed it with 4 crash.
Miss Coralie is going to sing for
Us, he said. "Will you come into
the otrcr room? have to turn the
music"
go and turn it, 1 said CURLY.
CAS- for NE, am comfortable here.
He left me the next instant and did
not come near me until the prelude OF
TIE last waltz was playing. Then he
put his hand on my shoulder. On, the
touch of the man you love?
Can have this dance he said
Aud my happiness seemed to ccm
back with the rush of Il torrent. when
10, before Us stood Madame Garlandl
I'm sure this young lady will for
give you" she said. Il have brought
Colonel Pepper to take your place
But Mrs. Lamar and Coralie are put
ting on their wraps, and you must 90
with them, of course"
She led her grandson away, and
waltzed with Colonel Pepper.
And then everybody babe Madame
Garland goodnight
did not wait for the ceremony; ]
got my wraps, not without difficulty.
for l had doubled and crushed the
little blue check, which would have
aided the maid in her search, until the
figures on it were obliterated; but
when l got them / stole down to the
side-dOOr, and crept out of it like a
thief.
| had so certainly believed that
Garth would see me home, that [ had
told LebulOn not to come for me. I had
thought the walk home was to be the
best part of the evening. Oh, even
yet l hate to remember that walk ]
had never been out alone at night be
fore. | felt absolutely degraded as !
flew over the village streets in my light
wrap.
The tavern was open. A tipsy man
called something after me- 4 car
riage rolled by, and [ heard a girls
voice say:
Il wonder who that is going home
alone?"
One o'clock struck from the church
clock as my aunt opened the door for
NE.
'"Alone?" she said.
| burst into tears.
81 was a fool" she said, ''to let You
90 to Madam Garland's."
The next day Garth called. I re
fused to see him. He wrote. I sent
his letter back unread. Then nv
aunt sent back my ring, our letters,
and the few presents he mad made me.
1t was over.
Three months after Aunt Helen said:
''You want change. | can afford
trip, and We'll 90. [ know more
than you think do. / went through
all this twenty years ago"
My travels taught me one thing
we take ourselves with us wherever
we pr.
When l was twenty-five instead OF
sixteen, and Madame Garlands birth
dav-ball lay nine years behind me.
could not think of it yet without o
pang.
Quite strangers in our native place,
we went to housekeeping again, and it
was hard to suit ourselves with new
servants.
While waiting for treasures we were
busy in the kitchen ourselves, when a
large knife slipped, and cut u great
cash in my aunt's arm, and it bled
horribly, and | started for q doctor,
running out bareheaded in my fright!
| saw in the window of a house near
by the magic words, Surgery" /
did not read the mans name, but as
the door opened | saw beyond the SER
want u man with broad shoulders,
who wore full beard, to whom
cried:
doctor. I am afraid my aunt is
bleeding to death. She has wounded
herself terribly"
The doctor caught up his hat and
ease which stood upon the table, and
followed me.
My aunt had lost much blood and
was very faint, but the doctor closed
the wound speedily, gave her a re-
stOrative, and assured me that there
was no danger; and then, and not till
then, did [ look him fairly IN the face.
For moment l looked and doubted;
then looked and knew
He answered my stare with words.
Yes" he said, 81 have altered
good deal; but [ am Garth Garland.
and a medical man, as you see. Must
call you by some new name?"
''She is not married, nor | eth er, if
you mean that" said my aunt in rather
faint voice; "but [ suppose you are,
Dr.. Garland"
ooh no." he replied.
We stood and looked at each other
in silence. l could not speak. At last
he said:
''Since we have met, Miss Fleet, ]
should like to have an explanation.
Why were you sO-sO-unkinda as to re-
fuse me ali interview-as to send back
my letter unread? 1t was your right
to free yourself from our engagement
if you chose; but why in that way?"
II believe you have saved my life,
DR.. Garland" said my aunt; ''but the
truth is truth. My niece showed
proper spirit. To be left TO wall
through the streets alone at one O'Clock
at night, by the man you are engaged
to, while he escorts another girl tC
whom he has devoted himself all the
evening, is thing not to be over
looked"
''Idid not go home with the Lamars,
said Garth. Il went 20 Mrs Lamar,
told her that | was engaged to escort
lady who was my guest, and intro
duced as substitute for my humble
self handsome young fellow, whom,
by the wav Miss Lamar has since
married. Then [ came back to find
!