Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-18

worn? bis heart leaped with great wild
throb which could have been neither hope
came back to the house together.
From the bay-window / watched their
approach, and noted with bitter pain
how well suited they were to each
other.
Involuntarily 1 turned and glanced
into a mirror hanging near. to recoil
back. Could that girl with the sullen
face and fercely cleaning eyes be
Hester LyndonP Truly, jealousy in
the heart does not bring comeliness to
the face. That day at lunch someone
spoke of the water-lilies that were
growing in beautiful profusion in the
lake, a little distance from the house.
.'Oh, / love water-lhies before all
howersi" Thyra exclaimed enthusiast
tically. 'Hetty, will you row me out
to get some this afternoon?"
Certainly, if you wish,' | answered
somewhat ungraciously, for sudden
thought arose in my mind of how
ethereally fair Thyra would look in
the evening, with Velvety-leaved water
lilies at her lissome waist and dropping
from her hair that was as yellow as
their own golden hearts. Why should
I help her to an adornment that
would enhance those charms that were
already too many for my peace of
mind? But she was a guest, and, of
course, courtesy demanded that [
should 60.
One year previous my father had
purchased boat, and had taught me
to row. But although / could handle
the oars expertly, | had not as yet
learned to swim. However, the little
craft was perfectly safe, and the wa
tiers of the lake were perfectly quiet;
and although | seldom ventured out
from the shore without my father or
Ralph being with me, took my place
in the boat with my cousin that after
noon without the slightest sensation of
fear.
As we neared the boathouse. two lit
tie barefooted urchins came from it
and passed US at run. Never suspect
ing that they had been up to any more
serious mischief than stealing a bath
in prohibited hours, and using our
boathouse for dressing-place, let
them go unquestioned. Directing
Thyra how to manage the, rudder-
ropes, myself took the oars and pulled
out into the lake. About halfway
across, we reached the spot where the
lilies lifted their snow-fringed heads in
the limpid water.
"Oh, you beauties! Well transform
the parior into Undine's bower, to-
night. Help me, Hester" cried Thyra
as, barring her white arms to the elbow,
she began to cut and gather right and
left. In few moments the bottom of
the boat was hidden beneath an odor-
Gus covering.
Suddenly terrible fear came to me.
Slowly and gradually, but surely,
the boat was filling with water! Go
ing down upon my hands and knees,
and pushing aside the lilies, looked
until / found what | sought-a hole
half as big as my hand! In the same
instant the swiftly running urchins re-
ferred to occurred to me, and | knew
by whom and when the mischief which
threatened us with such deadly peril
had been accomplished.
"Thyra," said, vainly striving
to render my voice calm, lean you
| swlm?"
"No-whyp" she answered, looking
round.
My white face gave. her the frs
alarm.
Because the boat leaks and is fill.
| ing; and | cannot swim a stroke! Nc
| help is near, and we shall both be
drowned"
Drowned! Oh no, no." Piteously
| the young voice rose in its distress.
Cry for help, Hester! Call out as
loud as you camp And raising oul
voices, shrill with fear, we cried for
help. / knowing all the time how
| little cnance there was OF anyone be.
| ing near enough to hear, for the lake
was a quarter of mile from any dwell
| ing. At length her strength failing
| her, Thyra's voice died into a hoarse
wailing prayer, as resigning hope OF
earthly aid, she sank upon her knees,
! about which the treacherous water
rose and gurgled.
Suddenly, like clarion call, voice
rang out from the shore. Aid was al
hand. But could it reach US before il
would be too late? As | looked at the
shore and down at the fast-illing
boat, | felt that it would be an impos-
| sibility for both to be saved.
A struggle sharp and quick, and my
resolve was made. Reaching over,
grasped Thyra's arm.
Listen" l said, ''If the boat held
but one, that one might be saved. Il
the weight were lessened it would not
| fill so fast. Thvra, remain where you
are. am going. Tell Ralph l dc
this for his sake"
Before she realized what I meant
was over the boats edge, her agonized
shrek the last sound in my ears, and
the last thought in my mind-sFor
Ralph's sake. If l have sinned by
nourishing the evil root of jealousy in
my heart, this will atone"
| A darkened room; a sense of weak
ness and languor; low voices near me-
l hear, but cannot move or raise my
lids. that feel as though weight heavy
as lead were upon them.
"Oh, Thyra, when | think what this
day may bring forth, / feel as though
| could pour my very soul out in
! ing! | always told you what noble
nature hers was.
1t was Ralph who spoke, and Thyra
who answered, her voice choked with
tears.
Eyes, 1 always knew how highly
you esteemed her; butuntil that dread.
full day [ never suspected that the tie
between you was other than brother
" and sisterly one. Ralph, fear that
it is due to my blindness that this trou-
BILE has come upon you. / am con-
WINGED that Hester thought that cared