Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-31

their time"
Then you get half-drunk, neither
more nor less, or III discharge YOU as
Hope has done. and that viii be the
worst discharge of the two for YOU.
When you are half-drunk come here
directly. and hang about this place. No:
you better be under that tree in the
middle of the field there. and pretend
to be sleeping off your liquor. Come,
miZZlel"
When he had packed off Burnley. he
got back into his hiding-place, and only
Just in time. for Hope came back again
whose elastic nature had revived. saw
him coming. and came ont to meet him.
Hope scOlded her gently; why had she
got off the sofa when repOSe was so
necessary for her?
You are mistaken, dear father" said
she. Il am wonderfully strong and
healthy: l never tainted away in nv
life, and my mind viii not let me rest
at present. have been longing so for
my father"
"Ah, precious world" murmured
Hope. keep saying that word to me.
darling. Oh, the years that have pinned
for i'll"
Dear father. we will make up for all
those years. Oh, papa, let US not part
again, never, never, not even for day"
My child, we never will. What am
l saying? | shall have to give you back
to one who has stronger claim than l
to your husband"
MY husbands" said Mary, turning
pale.
Eyes" said Hope; "for you know you
have a husband. Oh, | heard few
words there before | interfered: but it
is not to me you'll say I don't kno,C.'
That was good enough for BARLEY and
a lot Of strangers. Come, Grace. dear,
take my arm; have no cOncealments
from me. Trust to fathers infinite
love, even if you have been imprud6nt
or betrayed; but that's thing | shall
never believe except from your lips.
lake turn with me, my child, since
you cannot lie down and rest; little
air, and gentle movement on your faith
er'S arm, and close to your fathers
heart, will be the next best thing for
you" Then they walked to and fro like
lovers.
"Why, Grace, my child" said he, "of
course [ understand it all. No doubt
you promised to keep your marriage Sc
cret, or had some powerful reason for
Withholding it from strangers; and, in
deed, why should you reveal such Sc
cret to inSOlence or to mere curiosity.
But you will tell the truth to me, your
father and your best friend; you Will
tell me you are a WIFE"
Father" said Mary, trembling, and
her eyes rOyed as if she was looking out
for the means of flight.
Hope saw this look, and it made him
sick at heart, for he had lived too long,
and observed too keenly. not to know
that innocence and purity are dangers,
and are more often protected by the
safeguards of society than by them
selves.
ooh, my child" said he, anything is
better than this suspense; why do you
not answer me? Why do you torture
me? Are you Walter Clifford's wife,"
Mary began to pant and sob. ooh,
papa, have patience with me. You do
not know the danger. Wait till he
comes back. dare not; cannot"
Then, by Heaven. he SHALL"
He dropped her arm, and his counte-
nance became terrible. She chung to
him directly.
He will be back this very evening. Do
not Judge hastily; and oh, papa, as you
love your child, do not act rashly."
reply. you have come from sham
father to real one. and you will be
protected as we'll as loved. This lover
has forbidden you to cOnfde in your
father (he did not know that [ was your
father, but that makes no differenceC
it looks very ugly, and if he has wrong
ed YOU he shall do you justice, or | VIII
have his life"
ITO he, oo,,+iO1o1 \