Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15

meant: how are we to continue thlS?
lis only till tomorrow. Bertha" he
replied in an undertone. wishing to help
her. But the christian name (which. be-
cause he had In the last two hours used it
SO frequently, unwittingly slipped from
his llps) caused her to turn her face away
with an angry frown.
By the fire in the back drawinging room
Mr.. Gregory appeared actuated by desire
to ask all the most awkward questions and
to breach all the topics of conversation
most difficult for his host and hostess.
Letters are welcome. Bertha" he said.
when people cannot meet. but have en-
jojed my little visit more than all the
pages you have sent me. There is very
little in letters. Don't you think your
wife grows handsomer, Strickland?'
Il tell her so every day"
And so he tells me, Bertha. His letters
are all about you. You have a model
husband my dear"
Il have, papa"
Strickland hung his head and regarded
the pattern of the carpet.
Il should like to see your house, Bertha"
said Mr.. Gregory. after a moment.
The little party set out on tour of the
mansion. After an inspection of several
the breakfast room. the father stopped his
daughter and said:
Bertha, where is your mothers Dor
trait?''
The frame had got shabby and we have
sent 1t to be regilt. =" replied the daughter
promptly.
Where does it generally hang?''
There y
She assigned to the picture, which she
had taken away with her. the first empty
space On the wall that met her eve.
Il don't think that very good place
said the old man. 'sAh. what a woman
she was. What wonderful woman, You
should have known her. Strickland. You
owe her your wife. When she was leaving
me, poor dear. she made me promise never
to hesitate to make any sacrifice that
should be for Bertha's happiness; and so.
when my little girl came to me and said,
papa, | can never be happy without
Gerard, | thought of my dear wife, and
let her CO. | feared when | sent her
abroad | should lose her. Well, you were
made for each other. Do you remember
your first meeting in Paris?'
They remembered it,
The tour of the house was completed and
they returned to the drawing-room, Gerard
and his wife congratuating themselves,
not without reason, that the good papa
was not very obseryant, for many a token
of something abnormal had been plain
enough.
With common sigh of relief the two
actors sank into their respective corners of
their carriage after seeing Mr.. Gregory
off the next morning from Victoria. Not
a word was spoken. Bertha watched the
drops of rain that trickled down the win
dows. Gerard studied the back of the
coachman. They had again become
strangers.
Presently, moving aceidently, Strick
land touched his wife S arm.
II beg your pardon" he said.
pray do not mention it.
Perfect strangers. Both in the silence
were anxiousl y meditating every event of
the last few hours, remembering the most
trifiing impressions, and studying all they
slgnlted. AS they came near a cross
street the husband asked:
''Shall | drive you to your own house?'
Il am coming to yours to superintend
the packing. My maid cannot do it
alone"
On arriving. the wife at once went to her
chamber. Strickland conscious of utter
purposelessness. returned to the back
drawing-room and took up the paper.
Bertha passed backward and forward.
Once or twice he caught glimpse of her
moving about the room. At last he look
ed up.
You will tire YOURSELF he said; ''can-
not assist yon?''
mo, thank you. l have nearly done"
A few minutes later she came and seated
herself ON the opposite side of the fire.
She appeared tired. As she sat she looked
around to see if anything had been for
gotten.
Il think it rains less said Strickland,
who had laid down the paper.
mo. 1t rains just the same as before. -
SIS the carriage ready?'
Il have sent to know.
The carriage would be ready in ten min
utes. Those ten minutes seemed an etern
ity. When the servant entered to say
the carriage waited Bertha rose and stood |
for little while before the mirror, arrang-
ing her laces and ribbons with difficulty, !
for her fingers trembled. Then she slowly /!
drew on her gloves and turned toward her |
husband. He had risen and was standing I
waiting.
Good morning." she said bowling
slightly.
He bowed, but made no reply. She
and quietly, with calm, even steps, |
walked from the room. She could hear !
that he followed her. !
They were in the hall. Suddenly he
stepped to her side.
Bertha! You are not going without
first forgiving mel" he exclaimed, in
voice in which grief mingled with pas
sion.
She turned round and in an instant
had thrown herself into his arms.
Darling, you will never leave ne
again?"
''No, no, love. Never. - Murray's
Magazine.
A Magnificent Observation-Disclosures of the |
Coronation of Napoleon.
On the third day after the coronation |
there was exhibited at the Champ de Mars
one of the most brilliant spectacies per-
haps e. er seen. Facing this place is the !
military school, to the front of which
three pavilions had been erected. The |
grand or center one was supported by
columns and connected with the others by !
a covered gallery, the whole richly gilt and
ornamented with emblcmatic figures and |
imperial eagles. In the center pavilion a
superb throne was erected under q very
rich canopy: The emperor sat on his
throne having ON his head crown of gold |
In the form of wreath of laurel, such as
Caesar is represented with. In his right !
hand he held a golden sceptre. In front !
was an army of twenty thousand men. i
. Nothing could exceed the mag
nlhcence of the scene: On the principal !
side of the square their imperial majesties, |
surrounded by the most brilliant court in |