Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-03

it is angry, and there are large tears in her
eyes. Il should not have asked you to kiss
me. That was your part, and you have
taught me that [ usurped it Yet | thought
only that was fond of you, that you were
my friend, or like Terry, OF" here the
grievance gains sound, you Should nothave
kissed me like that"
You didn't suppose was going to kiss
you as Terry might" asks he, with just in
dignation, HE is your brother; | am
not"
Il don't know anything about it, except
this, that it will be very long time before
you have the chance of doing it again. Il
can't bear being hugged."
Il am very sorry" says Mr.. Desmond,
stiffiy. Let me assure you, however, that
[ shall never cause you such OffenSe again
until you wish it,"
Then say never at once" says Monica,
with p0ut.
Very good" says Desmond. 1t may now
be reasonably supposed that he has met all
her requirements, and that she has no fur
ther complaints to bring forward; but such
is not the case.
II don't like you when you talk to me like
that" she says, aggressively, and with a
spoiled-child air, glancing at him from III.
DER hef sweeping IaSheS.
Glow am to talk to you, then?' asks he,
in despair.
you know very well how to talk to Miss
Fitzgerald" TetOrtS she, prOvOkingly, and
with bold attempt at q frOWn. Yet there
is something about her naughty little face, a
hidden, mOcking. miscellaneous, vet Withal
friendly smile as it We're, that diSarmS her
speech of its sting and gives Brian renewed
hope and courage.
He takes her hand deliberately and draws
1t unrepulsed through his arm.
Let us go up this walk" he says, ''and
leave all angry words and thoughts behind
us"
lie makes a movement in the direction in
dictated, and finds that she moves with him.
lie iinds, too, that her slender fingers have
closed invOluntariIy upon his arm. Plainly,
she is as glad to be at peace with him as he
with her.
Coming to turn in the path, shaded by
two rugged Old apple-treas now growing
heavy with their green burden, Desmond
stands still, and, putting his right hand in
his pocket, draws out something from it. AS
he does this he c0OrS slightly.
You wear all your rings on your right
hand" he says, with LOVING awkardness,
land it seems to me the other poor little
fingers always look neglected. II wish
you would take this and make il d present
to Your left hand.
THIS is thick gold band, set with three
large diamonds ofgreat brilIiancy in gypsy
fashion.
ooh! not for ~ says Monica, recoiIing,
and ciasping her hands behind her back,
yet with her eyes firmly fastened upon the
beautiful ring.
Why not for you? Some day L shall give
you all possess; now can give you only
such things as this
"'Indeed | must not take it, says Monica;
but even as she utters the half-hearted re-
fusal she creeps unconsciously closer to him,
and, laying her hand upon his wrist, looks
with childish delight and Ion ring at the
glitterlng stones lying in his palm.
But L say you must" says Desmond,
taking very superior tone. 1t is yours,
Dot mine. have nothing to do with it, 1t
was never meant for me. Eee," taking up
her hand and slipping the ring on her en-
gagged finger, show pretty your little white
hand makes it lookp'
1t is always difficult thing to woman
to bring herself to refuse diamonds, but
doubly difficult once she has seen them posi-
lively adjoining her own person.
Monica looks at the ring, then signs, then
turns it round and round mechanically, and
finally chances at Desmond. Hereturns the
glance by passing his arm round her Shout
ders, after which there is never another
word said about the ownership Of the ring.
but it will puo my poor little pigs in the
shade, won't it?' says Monica, looking at
her other hand, and then at him archly.
"Oh! it is lovely-J0Uely"
Il think might have chosen you pref
tier one, had | run up to Dublin and gone
to WatprhOuse myself, says Desmond; "but
| knew ii l went | could not possibly get
back until tomorrow evening, and that
would mean losing two whole days of our
precious seven"
This speech pleases Monica, I think, even
more than the ring.
81 am glad you did not CO." she says,
softly.
so am I-especially as" Here he
pau5es, and then goes on again hurriedly.
I'll had gone, Monica, you would not have
FORGOTTEN lne?'
How could L forget you in two little
days?"
They would have been two very big days
to me. But tell me, if were to go away
from you for far longer time-Say for
whole mOnth-wOuld you still be faithful?
Should L find you as | left indifferent
to others at least, if not wholly mine?'
''Why should l changer"
Darling, there are 50 many reasons" He
draws his breath quickly, imratientIy.
''SOme day, you may meet some one else
more suited to you, perhaps, and
q shall never do that" She Interrupts
him slowly, but decidedly.
You are sure"
"Yes,"
The answer in words perhaps is meager;
but he, looking into the depths of her soft
eyes, sees a s-Ter answer there, and is salts
fed.
The shadows are growing longer and
slower. They do not dance and culver now
in mad glee, us they did an hour agone.
Il think we must 90 back" says Monica,
with uncOncealed regret.
"What! you will throw me again into
temptation? into the very arms Of the fair
BeIIa?" says Desmond, laughing. 'Rafect,
l beg of you, before it is too Iate.'
After ALL says Monica, Il don't think
have behaved very nicely about her. l don't
think now it would be "a pretty thing to
make you give me the roses before her. No,
you must not do that; and you must not
manage to forget them, either. You shall
bring the handS0mest you can find and give
them to her,-but publicly, Brian, just as if
there was nothing in it. you know"
There is nothing like adhering to the
strict TRUTH" says Brian. There shall be
nothing in my roses, l promise you,-except
perfume"
CHAPTER XIX.
''She's disgracGfulIy ugly!-I saw her
quite close" says Mr.. Kelly, in an injured
tone. Il wonder what on earth Madame
OConnOr means by asking her here, where
she can be nothing but blot upon perfect
InnHcnn,nn. nli nf 50 y