Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-28
Halls Romance.

cIatter and laughter of is occupants.
Leaning Oh the arm of an elderly gen
tIeman stood beautiful girl, hooded and
cloaked. The two ere'evidently awaiting
their carriage, for the old gentleman
muttered irritably:
'Well, well! will our turn never come?
1 told Joseph particularly to qe here on
time.''
The girl paid little or no attention to
her companion. Her eyes were directed
toward finely built young fellow, who
was talking earnestly to friend.
evil he not ever bid me good night?"
she thinks, tears starting TO her eyes.
At this moment the gentleman and his
friend walked out into the street, arm in
arm.
At this junoturu their carriage drove
up, and altering administering to Joseph
a reproof for his tHrdiness, the old gent
leman handed his fair companion into
the vehicle, followed and slammed the
door to Joseph, spitefully cut the off gray
with his whip, and they were whirled
rapidly away.
At the next street they passed the be
fore mentioned gentleman AMI his friend
but he did not see the white face, with its
quiverIng lips, nor the tear-laden eyes
that looked out upon him for second as
the carriage flew past. And yet strange
to say, the young men were at that very
moment speaking of her. The younger
was saying:
"Hal, why the duce did you act so cold
w might say almost rudely-to Miss
Thornedale, tonight? Why, it was the
talk of the whole room. Do you know
that in the lobby she waited for you to
pinht RI bar xuhaU Won
me off 80 precipitately?"
A sigh was Halls rejoiner.
"Can IL be that you don't care for her?
Can't you see man, that she's head over
ears in love with your"
A panied expression passed for mo-
menU over Halls handsome face as he
answered.:
eyes, alas, have seen it."
'tWhatf exclaimed his companion.
you've known it and still treated her
like a bruteS Halstead Moore you have
heart OF adaDlant!"
"Chester would that had-would that
had"
There was something in his tone so in
descriably sad that his friend looked at
him in astonishment.
81 say, Hal, what's up with you to-
night? I've never known you to DE like
this before"
No answer TO this. The question was
not pushed, and so they walked on in
silence until Halls companion suddenly
stopped.
'Wen, here l am at home. Will you
step in for q whilef"
Hal evidently did not hear, for he re-
turned no answer.
'Hal, you've something on your mind.
Il. "a
only too plainly. Mind, don't ask your
condolences; but if can be of any use in
extricating you from any trouble, pecu-
niarily or otherwise, command me, and if
it's in my power it will be DONE"
Hal grasped his companions out
stretched hand, and said fervently:
''Thanks, old fellow, thanks! You have
been a true friend to me, Chester, and
therefore why should you not have my
confidence? Yes, have something on my
mind, something that is making me mis-
cradle, and life well nigh unbearable."
Chester led the way to his apartments,
and soon they were escOpced in easy
chairs, pipes In hand.
The friendship OF these two men had
originated in Florence, where both were
studying painting. Their support de-
pended entirely on their calling, both be,
ing special artists on a popular weekly.
Halstead Moore lived with his mother in
neat little cottage in the suburbs. Lit
tie or nothing was known to the MoOres
or their past. On this subject Hal had
never opened his heart to Chester, apd
the latter, with uncommon delicacy, fore
bore embarrassing his friend with ques-
tions.
After few nervous puffs Hal plunged
abruptly into his recital.
"Cbester, you asked me awhile ago
whether or not cared for Helen Thorn
dale. l do care fer her; nay, love her,
idolize her BY day, by night. she is
before me; my thoughts, my dreams, are
but of her! In view of this fact, you will
wonder more than ever at my treatment
of Miss Thorndale. l viii tell you the
secret of my trouble"
He had overcome his agitation and
now spoke with due elaboration.
"My parents marriage was the result
of an elopement, in consequence OF
which my paternal grandfather cursed
his son on his death bed. He prayed that
ruin might follow all his endeayors and
those of his children. This death scene
affected my father deeply. He became
morose and unloving. One night, si1
BILE intelligence to my mother that hel
husband was dead, drowned while crossing
the ice covered river on bomeward Jour.
ney. His body was never recovered
Among his effects was found a sealeC
letter which was SO be delivered TO me CT
was then two months old) when I should
attain my majority. My mother oare
fully preser led that letter unopened anC
on my twenty-frst birthday delivered il
to me. 1t contained sketch of what
have told you, and concluded with an in
junction never to marry, as the conse
auence must be unhappiness. That in
junction / look upon as a message from
the dead, and one that | must hold
sacred. Now you know Why 1 dare no
declare my love to Helen Thornedale."
Chester had become deeply interested
in his friends recital. At the conclusion
of the narrative he settled back in hi
chair and exclaimed:
swell, well! Who would have though
such romance mingled with the matter
of-fact Old Halls life?"
Two months later saw Hal and Chsste
on their way to the north of Scotland
where they had been seen to sketch
picturesque series of ruins. They hat
letters of introduction to part owner o
paper, Hugh Macleod, who cordial,
invited them to make his dwelling thei
headquarters. Only too happily did the,
accept this kind offer, nor had either O
them cause to regret the step, as W,
shall see.
Hugh Mcleod, of Bonnie Park, was