Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-23

III lne mornings, anu MS fancy pictured
her doing embroidery in a home. He
heard her rich contralto voice in song, and
he thought of her as making the evening iy
when husband came home to Ginner. He
saw her in supurb evening dresses al the
table 'hote, and he thought how proud
man might be of her beauty and taste.
when the voice Of society praised his wife.
And under all these surface attractions,
the girls dignity, modesty and pure
heart, though she could be so bright and
lively.
The day came when the full heart found
vent IN speech, and as the young couple
walked in a shady lane Fred's words,
warm and tender, spoke the true and sin
cere passion in his heart. 1t was some mo-
ments before the answer came Jenny Rad
to battle with desire to put her little hand
In his and give him back love for love.
She had to school her face and steady her
voice before she could answer
Mr.. Dayton, my answer to you must
be to recall to your memory your conversa-
ton with Mr.. Hall On the terrace the even
ing of your arrival. Every word Of it was
distinctly audible in my room.
Then yor have been playing viii met
he cried, hereby.
Il have been endeavoring to prove to
you that my money had human append
age.
it was well for her composure nat he
turned bruptly from her and strobe Fapid
~ back to the hotel, leaving her to turn
into d narrow by-path and sob out ali ner
pain IN solitude
For she c0mprehended now, In bitter
humiliation, that whatever Frederick Day
ton had sought in his wooing ne had won
htr heart. 1t contracted with quick
spasms of pain as she thought that now he
would leave her. Never again could she
hear the deep musical voice speak tender
words; never see the deep, dark eyes look
lovingly in to her own again.
AS the tears chased one another down
her cheeks, one of the unerring instincts
of true love came into her heart, and she
felt deeply and keenIy that the love she
had insulted and rejected was not the
false suit Of a fortune-hunter, but the
true heart seeking what is the only sure
guarantee of welded happiness.
She crept slowly back to the hotel at last
hiding her red swollen eyes under her veil
and went to her room, hearing the voices
OF all at luncheon as she went hastily up
stairs. Upon her dressing table there lay
a letter, and as she read it there came
into her busy Drain quick, luminous
idea.
Over her sad face stole a look of resolu-
ton, and certain hope, too, In her heart
was pictured in her face.
"Ill try it, she said. MY eyes are in
splendid condition for the purpose. I'll
try it!'
She took her open letter into her hand
and went mournfully into the room where
luncheon was In progress Of demolition.
Her eyes were not so red nor swollen but
that they detected Fred Dayton trifing
with untasted food upon his plate, and
trying to look as usual.
As she appeared Fannie cried, Jenny,
what is the matter? You look as if you
had been crying your eyes out
You would look so, too, with a little
hysterical sob, IF you had my news to
bear
What is it dear2" and Fanny was at
her cousin s side, ali sympathy.
The Amalgamated Bank is broke!''
by jove,' cried Tom, ''ail your money
was in that"
Jenny bid her face on Fanny's shoulder
and sobbed. Uncle George was married
last week.
Toms comment upon that was con-
tanned IN a long whistle.
Tom, you ought to be ashamed of your.
self cried Fanny, Indignantly. Never
mind, Jenny. Come to my room, darl
ing"
And Jennie suffered herself to be led
away and comforted and petted, hearing
warmest assurances Of unchanged love,
offers of home, and Thousand pleasant
words from Fanny, until Tom came up to
confirm the whole of it, and said Fred
Dayton wants to see you, Jenny, in the
private parlor Jenny '-the honest fell
low hesitated little -''oefore you go will
you let me SAY a word, as if l We're your
brother?"
certainly | will,
Fred Dayton loves YOU. know it, and
| think he means to tell you So But, Jen-
ny, if you do not love him, will you re-
member that SO long as Fan and have a
home or meal, you are as welcome as
sister to your share of them, and as dear
to both of us?''
You may be sure | shall never forget
it, Jenny said, earnestly.
But will you please read Uncle
Georges letter while am gomez
She left the room gravely, but in the
passage she executed little pas seul that
would have considerably astonished her
friends could they have seen it.
She found Fred Dayton waiting in the
private parlor, marching up and down
with true masculine impotence. Before
she went in, she looked a moment at the
tall, graceful figure so buoyant with ami
mation-as the handsome face radiant now
nd
there was glad little song. with the re-
frain. He loves me, he loves me-"
All the gladness was banished from her
to meet her lover. He could wait for
no formality of greeting.
Abruptly, earnestly, with his whole
soul in his eyes, he said: Jenny, you re-
buked me sharply to-day for my presump-
ton and insolent speech to your cousin
now that the money is gone and your nncle
has married, you will now believe me that
the dearest hope of my life, the dearest
wish of my heart, Is to win your love?'
You are sure it ism you iove?" she
said in very low voice.
before had known you week, dar
ling, | had quite forgotten that you were
an heiress. | only knew that YOU were
the only woman | could ever love, whose
love would be precious in my heart. Sure
ly you may trust me now. Be my wife and
every hour shall prove to you how sincere
iy love you. Speak to me, Jenny. Why
do you hide your face?"
She did not tell him it was to hide her
smiling mouth, her dancing eyes: but
she allowed him to draw her gently into a
close embrace, to take in his own her soft
little hand, and tell her sweet and loving
words