Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
She agreed with him, and within few
days he left for New Orleans.
| Ill.

Meanwhile the passion of John for the
charming schoolmarm increased. and was
considerably accelerated after the depart
ure of Robert, as it afforded him more op-
portunities to see her. She felt for him a
brotherly regard, and allowed herself to
come closer to him, as he was the twin
brother of her betrothed John mistook
this for an expression of attachment, and
took the first opportunity to declare his
love and ask her to marry him.
Helen face crlmsoned as she heard the
disclosure, and she unconsciously drew
back as he attempted to take her hand.
''Oh, John! You don't mean it, she
said, with broken tones, as tears sprang
into her eyes.
Mean it? OF course | mean it. Why
not? Don't love you, and haven't low
ed you for years? And haven't you given
me every encouragement
''Oh, this is terrible! 1t cannot be-"
What can t it be? Is there ANYTHING
wrong about me? Am l deformed a
rascal, a fool? Why can't it be?"
This is too awful, she exclaimed, as
she caught his blazing eyes and saw his
cheeks suffused with crimson rage. John.
don't be angry, but | can never marry
you"
His voice grew hoarss and thick. and he
suffered as he fercely CALCULATED:
"Why have you led me on, then? Why
have you brought me to think you cared
for me? Are you coquette, one of those
mean, heartless women that play with
mems souls?"
Il never ment to lead you on. I looked
on you as brother only, and such you
90, lxy hn 4Io f,,t, H.
much! and she broke into passionate fit
of sobbing and covered her face with her
hands.
The brute element seized the man and
held him in its grasp.
You lie!'' he calculated, with uncon-
controllable rage. You lie You did
lead me on, and now you throw me off in
contempt. 1t is an outrage to treat me in
this way!" And then he suddenly Gained
himself, and, after lapse of a few mo-
ments, said in coaxing tone:
Don't tell me this. You will kill me!
Come, now, darling, don't be cruel! You
are Joking; you are trying to see how
much l love you
''Oh, John, don't. I'm so wretched
and unhappy! can't love you; there is a
reason"
"A reason!' he repeated in a loud,
hoarse tone. What is the reason? Tell
mer'
Il cannot"
You must, you shall! or by God, I'll
kill you and then myself! Tell me!'
She glanced at his face. 1t was white
as snow and convulsed with passion.
There was murder in his eye She shrank
down shuddering all through her frame;
it was a maniac who menaced her; she
felt deadly faintness, and dreading death
said:
Il am engaged to Robert
The words fell on him like a paralytic
blow. He stood for a moment dazed,
motionless, as if petrifed, then recovering
himself, he moved away, staggering like a
drunken man.
'Oh, john" she called after him, ''don t
hate MEL
He turned about swiftly and with blaz-
ing seyes regarded her for a moment or
two with steady stare, and then hoarsely
cried: ''I'll kill'-then pause him.
Muttering curses, he hurried away. Soon
after he left the farm and came back no
more 1t was believed that he had gone
west.
A year or so after his departure Robert
came home and the wedding between him
self and Helen Wicks took place. Nothing
was heard from John. Robert, with his
bride, returned soon after to Louisiana,
where he resumed his services as principal
OF a seminary.