Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-27

the words spoken within a stones
throw of her.
Believe me, Albert, 1 appreciate
the treasure of your love-" said Mrs.
Ogilyie, softly; '.but 1 do not know
whether [ am justified in accepting
what you offer"
Dear Mrs Ogilvie-''
'No-stop!" said the widow, reso-
lutely motioning him away as he would
have drawn nearer to her. Are YOU
not premature? Have you reflected
how very, very brief a period of time
has elapsed since Mr.. Ogilvie was laid
in his graye?n
81 have forgotten nothing" the
ardent lover made reply. Nor do
deem it any disrespect to the dead in
that | would fain extend the tender
ness and protection of my love over
the one who was dearest to him in life
Say that you will grant my prayer
Give me but one word of encourage
ment and shall be happy"
L must have time for reflection, :"
Mrs. Ogilvie answered, hesitatingly.
Time! time!" Stantied impatiently
retorted. You have had time enough
already, surely"
"But this is matter of such vital i'm
portance. Albert, you must rest con-
tented if | promise you your answar to-
morrow"
You will not forget the truth and
| sincerity of my love-the deep loyalty
of my hearth"
81 will remember it all, Albert; only
let us return to the hotel now. Olive
will miss US and it grows toward sun
| SET"
So they passed on, and Olive. wait
ing in sort of dull, dead passiveness
for them to disappear through the
green wilderness of the leafy dell, took
her languid way back to the hotel.
''And | believed that he loved mel"
she kept repeating over and over to
herself. 81 allowed myself to be duped
by the tender tones of his voice, the
dark light of his eyes! Oh, what a
fool-a fool have been Yet if it had
been any other hand than hers to dash
the bright cup from my lipsi Oh,
mamma! mamma! And l loved and
trusted you so entirelyP"
Poor Olive! 1t was like new phase
of life's bitterness and treachery to this
petted darling to find out that there
were other hopes, and joys, and inter
ests in the world clashing sharply
against her own.
She sat down and looked helplessly
around Here was the bright tracery
OF tiloselle embroidery that she had
commenced but few short hours ago;
it did not seem to her as if she could
ever touch it again. There was the
unfinished novel; she did not care a
penny now whether the hero and he
roine got married or not.
''Tll go and live with Aunt Sarah, :"
said Olive to herself. 1T will be a
monotonous life, but-but it's all that's
left me now. | don't care for much
variety or brightness"
Olive, darling, where are youP"
1t was Mrs. Ogilvie's voice, Mrs.
OgilVie's footsteps, and, although Olive
would have fled from her presence, it
was too late to do so now. The young
step-mother came up to her and seated
herself at the girls side.
Il have something to tell you, Oh
ive."
Olive shrank away from the arch,
questioning gaze of her step-mother's
eyes.
Il know what it is" said she family.
You are going to be married"
Il? My dear child, what could pos
sibly put such an idea into your head?
You are the one who is to be married,
if you can bring yourself to say yes to
the suit of Albert Stanfield."
Mammal"
HE has been urging me for permits
sion to address you this long time, but
I have scarcely dared to consent. know
ing how recent a date has elapsed since
the death of your dear father. But
perhaps [ have no right longer to OBJ
ject. He loves you tenderly and truly.
He would lay down his life for you,
and l believe him to be worthy even OF
my Olive. Shall tell him you will
listen favorably to his suit?"
Like a burst of renewed sunshine
after the blackness of a thunder-shower
Olives face grew brilliant, and throw
ing her arms around her step-mother's
neck she sobbed out: Mamma! NAM
ma! | have been SO wicked in my
heart! 0 mamma! can you ever for
give me?''
And then she told her story.
go to Albert, my DEAR said her
step-mother, smiling. He will con-
vince you presently that all is right
with your heart and his"
This was the end of Olive Ogilvie's
tribulations. And she still firmly per-
sists in her belief that she has the best
step-mother in the world. And Miss
Jane Darlington is rather disappointed
than otherwise. I. E'Uenj7eg World.
/ Do the Dying Suffer Pain?