The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-05-14

a
that day he grew rapidly BETTER and
many happy hours were spent in that
sick room. Laura read to him, sang
to him, and long conversations there
were between these two-conversa
tions, during which the young girls
heart was gradually passing into tbs
possession of another. What wonder
that Walter fancied himself in love
with the fair girl, who thus devoted
her time and talents to his comfort
and entertainment? He found her
presence would convert that sick-room
from a prison into paradise.
At last, one afternoon, when the
nurse was preparing his evening, re-
past, he won from the happy, blush
ing girl a promise to accompany him
to his home, in the spring, as his
bride,
When Laura sought her room that
night, her cheek was flushed, her eyes
sparkled, and her heart throbbed
quickly with excess ofhappiness. Fas-
tening her door, she knelt and thank
ed heaven for the new Joy bestowed
upon her Laura's was an earnest,
thoughtful nature, and all emotions
left an indelible impression upon her
heart-she was not ono to part with
her love lightly-but once given, it
could not be recalled.
Walter was now well enough to be
out, and Grace was expected home
daily.
Laura was seated in her room,
working, when her cousin burst i'll up
on her. Let us pause n moment to
describe Grace Danvers. She was q
most charming combination ofblonde
and brunette beauty. Her eyes
were dark hazel, shaded with black
brows and lashes; while her hair was
light yellowish brown, falling in q
profusion of shining curls on her
shoulders; her features. were regular,
and her complexion pure red and
white; her figure was petite, but most
exqulsltely rounded, while her hands
and feet were tiny as a lairy's.
''Dear Laura!" she cried, as she
sprang into her cousins arms, 81 am
so glad to be home again So hear
you have been having sick knight
here while l was gone; long letters
from cousin of mine not q mile off,
full OF q handsome squire most dole
fully ill, reached me. l saw hi at
the gate; and instead of O pale, in
teresting youth, he struck me as being
in a most stupid state of health.
Lost your heart, Laura-eh?'"
Nonsense, Gracel You are wild
with spirits. How did you leave Mrs.
Ellis and Fanny"
"Well-everybody WE'LL But here
comes Mr.. Elliot up the avenue; you
must introduce me-"
And, bounding across the room, the
gay beauty smoothed her curls, ar
ranged her collar more to her salts
faction, and announced her readiness
to be presented to Walter.
The young man gave a start of de-
lighted surprise when his eyes fell up
on Grace. Her pale blue dress, which
was cut so as to leave her falling
shoulders and round white arms bare,
set of to the utmost advantage her
exquisite complexion and golden
curls; her drive, and the excitement of
coming home, gave an additional
tinge OF color to her cheeks, and her
eyes sparkled with animation. Wal
ter bowed gracefully, and they were
soon engaged IN a lively conversa-
ton. Laura left them together, and
went to read the papers to her uncle
her regular evening task.
So it began, and so evening after
evening it continued. Laura was
obliged to devote two or three hours
to her uncle, while Grace and Walter
took long moonlight walks, or con-
versed together in the piazza; or her
cousins clear, sweet voice rose and
Tell on the night air, in songs, while O.
manly tone mingled with the strain,
and Grace's' guitar, accompanied the |
delicious music.
Day by day Laura's face grew paler
and sadder, and Walter felt that there
was no bliss to him like Grace's pres
ence; yet neither dared speak of the
change. Laura saw that the love be-
tween those two was stronger than !
Walters love for her had ever been;
but she sickened when she tried to |
speak of it, and he dared not ap-
proach the subject.
1t was late one evening when the
cousins had retired to their own
room, and Laura noticed how vel v
sad Grace looked. She was panied;
Tor Grace, like Shakspere's Beatrice,
had little of the melancholy element
In her," and Laura knew it was some
deep grief that could so cloud the
young Joyous face of her cousin.
Grace, what troubles you?" she
sad, drawing the young girl to her
side ~
ooh, Laura" sobbed her cousin.
I'm so miserable!"
"Why, darling what can make Won
Imhappy-come, tell me?"
"I-l-well, | may rs well tell Won
nIl; perhaps you can comfort me.
This evening, while was walking with
he told me that he loved
ME"
"You, Grace?"
YES; but he is engaged to some
body else. And oh, l love him so
nuchl"
''He should not have told you if he
S bound to another"
HE did not mean to tell me; but he
owes me so much that he was COM
)elled to let me know it."
How can he love you and her too?"
Laura was astonished at her own
almness.
HE don't love her. But ne saws he
vas once far away from home, very
J, and she nursed and took care of
as you did, Laura; and he !
ancied he was in love, bee Sc he felt
o grateful to her, and so l. asked her
o be his wife. She said she would
nd he thinks he is bound by honor :
o fulfill his engagement. She cannot
ave him No I do