Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-17


| and with hesitating step Chester
| into the street.
How aimless he suddenly felt. He
had meant to call at Weixler's jewelry
store and select the ring for that slen-
der white finger he had just measur-
ed.
All, well, how a trifie turns the
wheel of destiny! and Chester Irving
did not even see the costly gems gleam-
ing in plush caskets in the jewelers.
window as he went down the street
with bowed head, and on his face a
| look of age or trouble that fifty years
would have scarcely given.
Up to his suite of rooms in Hotel
Durham he passed swiftly.
He locked himself in with his grief,
and for hours he paced back and forth
through the luxurious apartments.
10 this hope, that had come to him
so late, he had given all; heart that
had hitherto been unscathed by love.
For now, in the prime of his life, he
believed that of womanhood he had
found the purest. the most unworthy,
and this-this was the awakening.
This was the bitter ending.
Exhausted at last by the mental
struggle through which he was pass
ing, he sat down and buried his lace
in his hands.
A long time he sat there. and hours
passed unheeded; but when he raised
his head the ordeal was over.
He had suffered intensely, but never
more could Laura Burnett be aught to
him.
And then he went to his desk and
penned a note to her, which was dis
patched by a messenger.
AS Laura glanced at the supers Grip
ton her beautiful face was aglow with
pleasure, for she knew that it was the
faultless chirograpny of Mr.. Irving;
and, as he was to be her escort to the
opera that night, it was in expectation
of something regarding that event that
she opened the note.
Regarding that event it surely was,
but quite different thing from what
she anticipated.
The note simply said:
"Miss Burnett: l beg to be excused from
acting as your escort this evening, and will
waive the privilege in favor of some younger
man; Although there is no fool like old
fool we are never too old to learn and you
gave a very forcible opinion of me before /
left your hall yesterday. My overhearing of
your words was entirely unintentiOnal; for,
before l reached the street door, l found that
had lost the measure of your finger. That
measure, which was taken to aid me in select
ing solitaire ring, that hoped would be the
seal of our engagement, was found at your
parlor door; and as | eagerly picked it up /
could not help hearing your words in connec-
ton with my name. Another old proverb
says that it is better late than never aud |
am thankful that your sentiments were so
frankly expressed. With a wish that you
may be as happy as you deserve, bid you a
final ad1eu.
CHESTER IRVING"
Had it been possible for Chester
Irving to have seen the expression on
Laura Burnett's face when she had
finished reading his note he would
have returned thanks again for his
escape from the contemplated union.
She had been swayed by pride and
ambition, and she could have choked
herself for the utterance of those fate
full and imprudent words that had
brought disaster and ruin upon her
beautiful castle in the air.
In his note Mr.. Irving failed to
mention the low, but distinct words of
Ruth Earle in his vindication; but
they brought to him a remembrance
of her sweet, pale face; for, in his
visits to the Burnett mansion, she had
often fitted by him in the hall, always
seemingly hurried. always with piece
of work in her hands, and with
tired, but patient, look in her young
face.
Laura had once explained to him
that she was a distant relation, poor
and friendless, and that they had
given her home, and had provided
for her.
Sometimes, at rare intervals, he met
Ruth Earle on the street. She went
plainly clad-as a girl must who eats
the bread of charity-but she looked
neat and trim, and he noted her grace
full figure and high-bred manner.
They met in the park one night.
Midsummer, with its fervid heat, had
come. Those who could, had sought
the seaside or the mountains, and
among them had gone Mr.. Burnett's
wife and daughter.
That there was still as good fish in
the sea as had ever been caught Laura
Burnett believed, and although she
had lost one lover she might find
another; so with her huge Saratoga
trunk packed with all the feminine
accessories for summer campaign,
she had gone; and Ruth Earle breath
ed a sigh of relief for the little respite
that their absence brought to her.
She was sitting on rustic seat be-
meath wide-spreading maple, book
in her hand, and her hat pushed care
lessly back, when some one spoke her
name.
She started to her feet and let her
book fall to the ground.
"Mr. Irvingm she said, as he extend
ed his hand in friendly way.
Excuse me, Miss Earle" he said,
pleasantly, ''but l have met you so
frequently at your uncle's house that
| think we must be acquainted, or at
least we should be. May rest here?"
he asked; and he sat down upon the
bench.
Ruth felt nervous. Mr.. Irving was
rich, while she, alasi was so poor. Of
course, he did not know the vast So
cial gulf between them; but she arose,
almost Immediately. with the remark
that she believed she must hasten
home.
Stay just momentr Mr.. Irving
pleaded; and with flushing cheeks,
and with her heart futtering like a
frightened bird, Ruth sat down.
"You are my little champion" he
said earnestly, "And l want to thank
you for defending me-"
81 do not understand, Mr.. Irving"
Ruth answered, and she glanced shyly