Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-16


then drew back, her faceIsufused with
crimson,
81 wished to see you and they sent me
here" he said softly, as he held her hand.
Sweet Amy, in the presence, 1t may be,
Of our two angels | tell you that love
you: that from the first moment | saw you
| have loved YOU and I want you to be my
wife
Amy stoo! silent and quite unable to
speak, almost overcome with the emoti Nns
that crowded upon her heart. Love! she
knew now that she had worshipped him;
that every hour of the day, every moment,
indeed, that thrilling, overpowering con-
seriousness had been present with her,
though not acknowledged by herself.
The tall, handsome man standing there
seemed in her eyes a very god. Love
him! how could he stoop to love so small.
SO lonesome, so insignificant d creature as
she felt herself to be in that supreme mo-
ment?
You don't speak, Amy?'
The low voice thrilled her.
What can | say?"
Say you love me, child; that is all I
ask.
She glanced up, and the next moment
his right arm EMBODIED her, and her face
was hidden on his shoulder.
The old folks were delighted when they
heard the news, and called her all the
sweetest of pet names. From that moment
she was lookedupon as a daughter.
And now the world was very beautiful
to Amy. Sunshine and shadow, clouds
and blue sky, all had a significant lowell
ness of their own. The marriage was to
take place in six mon6hs, and happy Amy
was busy upon the bridal outfit.
What gloomy ring!' she exclaimed
one day as she turned large seal-ring up
on Auguste little finger.
1T is of some value, nevertheless. he
responded; and his brow clouded slightly
as he looked at it.
How curiously it is shaped. | never
saw a stone so black"
Purple, my Amy, see!" And he turn
ed it to the light.
'Oh, yes, purple; but one would never
think tit looks dead black. "
Auguste was silent and thoughtful.
After little while he arose and slowly left
the room. Amy gazed after him, wonder
! ing at his woodworking why he had
not kissed her. For several days, al
though his manner toward her was even
more tender than before, he seemed lost
in thought, and often fell in reveries. One
morning he met her before breakfast
equipped for travel.
Say to my parents that | am not to be
gone only for short time-two weeks
at the furthest, che said taking hold Of
her hand.
But where are you going, and why IN
this secret manner? Dear Auguste, why
are you so Ct anged; so silent?"
/ | /
now. Give my adieus to my mother and
father, and merely say that | am going on
! business.
And you would have gone without see
ing me? asked Amy, grievingly.
II wrote you, love. You will find the
billet in the book we are reading together.
And, now, no more questions my darling.
Trust me.
He then kissed her passionately and was
gone.
What can it be-" murmured the girl,
tears filing her eyes why has he gone,
and what has troubled him for for so many
days Oh, what misfortune can be impend-
ing? My dreams are frightful, and
Auguste is changed!'
All that day she moved around listless-
| ly. The evening passed more pleasantly.
She sang Auguste' S songs, amused the two
old people with her merry chat, beguiling
them to sit much beyond their accustomed
| hour.
I'VE must see to the fastenings,' said
old Mr.. Laporte 'Auguste has taken
such care OF US, that we are growing care
less. Come daughter, go over this floor
with me. The servants will see to the
rooms below"
He went round Amy following, while
he tested the doors and windows. The
girl could not have told why. but she
shrank at-the opening of every door, and
it troubled her to see the shadows. She
had never thought of such things before,
and was thankful when she had received
the goodnight kiss. and retired to her
room at the end of the same passage that
led to the bed-chamber Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Lapo1te. There she sat down by the win
dow and unfastened the heavy coils of her
hair, dreamily looking out. and thinking
over the event of the day.
Suddenly, just after the town clock had
struck II, a strange muttied sound reached
her, which made the blood curdle in her
veins. Leaning forward, she listened in
tently. Again it was repeated ana this
time she was sure the voice came from the
quarter where the old couple slept
Rising from her seat, her first impulse
was to fly to them; yet she was but a girl,
and the underlined terrors Of on earlier
hour took tangible form, and presented
the figure of housebreakers and assassins.
Again the cry, and this time she thong hit
she distinctly heard her own name. That
nerved her, and she opened her door and
rushed into the passage. She knew that
Mr.. Laporte had but recently drawn money
from the bank, and that large sum lay in
his cash-box at the head of his bed.
The moon shown brightly. At that mo-
ment the door of Mr.. Laporte's room was
dashed violently open, and the moon.
beams revealed-what face to her half
maddened senses? Where was that tewny
beard-where that splendid figure, now
1.-THE in the hurry of departure?
My God, Auguste, what are you doing
bere?" she cried, white with terror.
"Silence" was the hoarse reply, but he
did not stop-seemed to regard her no fur
Their, but hurried past her, and down the
staircase.
Amy dragged herself into the room
! from which ne had just come, sick with
terror, for she still heard means
Father! mother!' she cried; what
has happened?"
With trembling fingers she lighted {
andle
Dreadful sight! The two old people
l were gagged, while blood stained the
r snowy couuterpane.
l Amy few upstairs, and alarmed the
5 servants; presently the whole house wa;
: in commotion. The gags were taken out