Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-28
LISA.
PART /.

L
that l will not be called 'Mein Herr?
After all my lessons in English for nearly
three months, you cannot say the simple
word Grant, it discouraging, Liza. 1t
makes me feel that all my time has been
thrown away. | may as well give it
up"
"Oh, Mr.. Roberts, I'm sorry-aber. but
what would mein water say if he should
hear me call you Grant?'
''He hears me call you Liza every day.
and does not object; now if he were to hear
me call you 'Liebchen,' then, indeed. In
fact, Lisa, I've been thinking it over this
morning, and hereafter | shall call you
sweetheart That word has never been
translated into your charming German
tongue, so he won t understand if he does
hear me use it; but you will. Lisa went
you? Do you know what l mean when
say 'Sweetheart?''
Lisa blushed and looked down She
might have run away, but her two hands
were held fast, while Grants quizzical,
fond eyes were studying her face.
What should a simple German madchen
know of the wiles of gay American? He
had boarded with them for three months.
ostensibly studying chemistry at the uni
yersity, but really studying with much
greater the grim professor S little daughter
When he had been in the house a week he
found himself comparing her with the
girls he knew at home They could laugh
and jest with him. And how they could
firt! Liza, dear little thing, could take ex-
cellent care of her father; could read Eng
Iish intelligentIy, thought she dared not
try and speak it: knew. in fact. twice as
much as any American girl, Grant told
himself; she was the worthy daughter of
her learned father in true German dion.
But dear little Lisa could not flint. If, in
their English conversations he thought it
his duty to hold with her, he would strive
to emphasize some points by a slight
pressure Of the hand she would color to
the roots CT her soft yellow hair, and
th0ughtfully withdraw her fingers.
If he would sometimes call her 'Liebc-
hen, as her father did. she would look re-
provlngly at him, and not reply. If in
pretended Indignation at such treatment
he would distantly address her as Frau
lein, her eyes would fill and her lips
qulyer but a stately Herr Roberts, was
her only sign of dispIeasure. Dear little
LISA! How fond of her he was! How
hard it would be to leave her!
All this flashed through his mind as he
stood at the foot of the narrow stairs and
looked teasingly at Lisa bushes. She
rallied In moment and looked up saucily
Did you call me down to tell me this,
Mr.. Roberts p
We'll, not altogether, he replied with
a laugh, but you drove the more important
matter out OF my mind ] wanted to tell
you that am going to make you a bangle
Do you remember telling me about the
English girl III the park who wore so many
that she tinkled all over, like the woman
at Banbury Cross? Well, see here" H.
drew from his pocket dn old American
three cent piece. u found this in nv
pocket this morning. Where it came from
have no idea, but ! suppose it must have
been given me by mistake with my change
some day. Seems odd to see it over here
Such an old one, too; one side is worn per-
fectly smooth. | have bored hole in it,
and | shall scratch your initials on one
side, and you must wear it on your watch
chain to remind you of me, after I am
gone
After he was gone"
Lisa had been sitting on the stairs ex-
aiming the bit of silver; at those last
words she unconsciuosly rose to her feet.
Never before had he spoken of going away.
He had so fallen IN with their simple life
that to her he had become a part of it,
and she had ceased to think of his leaving
them.
After he had goner' What would she
do then?
Silence for moment. Had he spoken
the words Co try her? She grew pale. and
the tears gathered.
Lisa, sweetheart! Do not look so! am
not going-not going for a long time.
Don't let's talk about it; only you will be
sorry, Liebche, won t you?''
She tried to laugh, and turned to run I'D
the stairs. Roberts caught her hand.
Don't go-don' t you want me to finish
the bangle?" said he guilefuliy. But Lisa
had gone, and he did not get a word with
her again that day.
The next morning he walked slowly
down to the post-offce, thinking still of
Lisa. His careless words about leaving
her and her emotion, had indeed, made
HIM think more deeply than ever before.
With truly youthful procrastinatlon he
had postponed tie consideration of such an
event till the hour came The thought
should not mar his happiness, and he had
been happy! How his friends would
laugh if they knew how he had spent the
last three months. Lisa's father was too
absorbed, too simple, to suspect the young
man OF any interest beyond chemistry and
German. Little did he know of the series
OF accidental meetings Robert banned
every day with his demure little daughter:
each meeting an opportunity by no means
to be neg ected for English conversation.
Roberts thought of it all. What would be
the end, and when?
When, indeed; the end was nearer than
he thought. He took letter from the Office
and read
My Dear Son,-I know it will be
disappointment to you to give up your
studies and the remainder of your trip.
but am sorry to tell you that | think YOU
should be here. | am much alarmed
about your fathers health; he needs
complete rest and change With a great
deal of difficulty | have persuaded him to
believe he can give up his business for the
present, on the condition you will under
take it, as well as you can. under the cir
cumstances. | am sure you will return at
once. If all goes well promise you that
you may finish your trip before another
year.
Robert face grew longer as he read. |
European travel and chemistry meant Lisa
to him just now, and as she had never
seemed so dear and sweet as today; and he
must go. Would he. if he could, take her |
with him? He paused. How would she
compare with his home circle? Would |
he-would he ever be ashamed of her? He
hated himself for the thought No. she |
was loveller, truer than any girl he knew.
He rejoiced in her unlikeness to others: