Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-12

MOTHER nave naue up my mind
to something. I waited 10 tell YOU I'M
til you had seen her, hoping YOU would
fall in love with her as 1 have. Yes
he continued, quickly, as his mother
was about to speak, Ives, / love her
with all my heart and soul, and, if she
will say yes, will make her my wife!''
And how, my son, viii you support
a wife when I, in my viii, leave your
inheritance TO your Cousin Hubert?"
The young man WINGED, and began
to speak in an impetuous tone. then
checked himself, and said, calmly,
DO as you please, mother. 1t was
for your sake, and through your solicit
tatiOn, | am living this idle life, and
left my profession; but can take ii up
again and win a living for myself and
a dear wife, Heaven willing"
The reclining figure sprang up with
an activity one would hardly deem
possible, and for moment GUY stood
overwhelmed with his mothers re-
prOaches. Then respectfully taking
her hand, although she tried to prevent
him, he raised it to his lips and strobe
rapidly away.
the above conversation, GUY coaXed
Jessie out for walk. They stroIed
slowly along to the old moss
covered rock which had been the scene
of his rebuff some time before.
Then, in a serious, almost solemn
way, Guy told the listening girl of his
great love. He told her, too. how his
mother felt, and what she had said,
and that he had no prospects except
what his brain and hands could carve
for themselves, then stood quietly
awaiting her answer.
It came. A little hand slipped in one
of his, and, with an intense thrill, Guy
felt the supple figure press close to his
heart. Their lips met in a long, long
kiss, and then Jessie changed into u
saucy mood again, and sprang away.
But Guy soon coaxed her back, and
together they talked over his projects.
Poor boy! What will he do to be
poor? No hcrse-no yacht-no any
thingr'
\ strange light shone in her eyes as
she said this, looking up into his dark
face, and that expression changed to an
ineffably soft radiance that illuminated
her whole face, as he tenderly drew
her to him, and, looking upward, ex-
claimed
''All the world well lost, so [ have
hope of some day having my darlingn'
''The Manor was desolate, for the
son and heir had persisted in his de-
termination, and again started to work
up in his profession.
Aunt Jane at the farmhouse was
lonely, too, for Jessie had finished her
summer visit, and gone home. Sorely
did the faithful heart miss the bright
face; but she knew the summer months
would bring it to her again.
Four years passed by. Jessie was
now twenty-five, and happy wife.
Guy had worked early and late, and,
thanks to his early training, had es-
tablished his reputation at the Bar, and
then had come on to the old farmhouse
to claim his bride.
Mrs. Norris had seen her son before
the wedding, but had refused to at
tend. or to have anything to do with
lis bride. The day after the marriage
Jessie told her husband something
which, while it startled him, made him
clasp her to his heart more passionate
Iy than before.
Il think [ see why you deceived me
SO, my darling"
Yes, Guy; | loved you, / think,
from the very first, but | struggled
against it, for / did not admire you. l
had always meant to give my heart
your love and brave determination, had
/ been the poor girl you thought me, [
should not have allowed the sacrifice
to be made for me; but knowing what
[ did, l knew it would be for your
good"
This was what she told him.
Her father had died, leaving his i'm
mense fortune solely to her, as the
only child. Aunt Jane, as she called
her, had been her nurse when
baby, and her mothers faithful SER
want. Before her fathers death, which
happened very soon after her mothers,
he had given Jane the desire of her
heart, "a farm in the country, such as
she always lOnged for. Jessie1s home,
when in London, during the winter,
was with a friend whom she dearly
loved, and she vibrated between the
two places. Thus it was she and Guy
had met during his first summer at
home. After several years they were
visiting at the farm. A week had
passed delightfully."- to the young hus-
band and wife. Day after day they
wandered .undisturbed through the
quiet country lanes, growing closer
and closer together, almost, it seemed,
in a world entirely of their own.
But this quiet was rudely broken, for
a messenger came in haste from the
Manor to Guy, to tell him that his
mother had been stricken dangerously
with paralysis, and called for her son.
''Will you come with me, Jessie? l
know my mother has not acted rightly
by you-but she is my mother."s
Without hesitation the wife answered:
''YOur trouble is mine, dear Guy; of
course l will go"
Guy led his wife to his mothers bed
side, but at the sight of her the face,
which had striven to look bright to
welcome him clouded, and the restless
head turned away.
Jessie took one of the helpless hands.
and said, in her sweet, clear voice.
Mother dear, here we are, to stay
with you and nurse you till you are
better"
The closed lips emitted no sound; but
the invalid raised her eyes to the soft,
plying orbs bent over her for an in
slant, then shut them, but did not
again turn away.
Guy saw his wife's power had begun |
to work, and noiselessly left the room. |
It was a hard struggle for Jessie, |
who was so often tried by the peevish |
ways of her mother-in-law that she |
would have to steal out to herhusband |
to be cOmforted.