Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-31
CHAPTER XVII.
REJECTED.

A shadow came between Pauline and the
moonlight and quiet voice said:
miss Darrell, | am so glad to find you
here, and alOneV
Looking up, she saw Aubrey Langton
standing by her side. Aubreys fair, hand
some face was flushed, and there was the
fragrance of the wine-cup about him, for the
gallant captains courage had fled him, and
he had tn fOrtify himself.
lie had seen Miss Darrell go into the con-
servatory, and he understood her well enough
TO be sure that she had gone thither in search
of quiet Here was his opportunity. He
had been saying to himself all day that he
must watch for his opportunity. Here it
was; yet his courage failed him, and his
heart sank; he would have given anything
to any one who would have undertaken the
task that lay before him. There was so
much at Stake-not only love- but wealth,
fortune, even frcCdOm-thCTe was so much
to be won or lost, that he was frightened.
However, as he said to himself, it had to
be done. He went back to the dining-rOOm
and poured out for himself tumbler of the
baronetS generous old wine, which made his
heart glow, and ditfuSed warmth through his
whole frame, and then he went on his diff
cult errand. He walked quietly through the
conservatory, and saw Pauline standing at
the door
He was not an artist, he had nothing of
the poet about him, but the solemn beauty of
that picture did touch him-the soft, sweet
moonlight the sheaves of white lilies, the
nest Of daphnes, and that most beautiful face
raised to the starry sky.
He stood for some rlinutes in silence; a
dim perception Of his own unworthneSS
came over him. Pauline looked as though
she stood in charmed circle, which he al
most feared TO enter.
Then he went up to her and spoke. She
was startled she had been so completely
absorbed in her dreams, and he was the last
person on earth with whom she could identi-
fly them.
81 hope | have not startled yOu,'' he said.
81 am So glad to find you here, Miss Darrell.
There is something | wish to say to YOU"
Perhaps that beautiful, calm night-scene
had softened her; she turned to him with a
smile more gentle than he had ever seen on
her face before.
You want to tell me something-I am
ready to listen, Captain Langton. What Is
it?'
He came nearer to her. The sweet, subtle
perfume from the flowers sc her breast reach
ed him, the proud face that had always look
ed proudly on him was near his own.
lie came one step nearer still and then Pau
line drew back with naughty gesture that
seemed to scatter the light in her jewels.
II can hear perfectly WE'LL" she said, cold
iy. "What is it you have to tell me?'
Pauline do not be unlind to me. Let
me come nearer, where may kneel at your
feet and pray my prayer"
lie F., al yXr0y
his words; all the passionate love that he
really felt for her woke within him. There
was no feignng, no pretence-it was all
reality. 1t was not Darrell Court he was
thinking Of but Pauline, peerless, queenly
Pauline; and in that moment he felt that he
could give his whole life to win her.
Let me pray my prayer" he repeated
'let me tell how dearly | love you, Pauline
so dearly and so well that if you send me
from YOU my life will be a burden to me, anC
shall be the most wretched of men,"
She did not look proud or angry, but mere
ly sorry. Her dark eyes dropped, her lips
even quivered.
'You love me-" she rejoined-" really love
me, Captain Langton?"
He interrupted her.
II loved YOU the first moment that saw
you have admired others, but have seer
none like you. All the deep, passionate
love of my heart has gone out to you; and, i
you throw it from you, Pauline, l shall die.
Il am very sorry she murmured gently
NAY, not sorry. Why should you be sor
~? You would not take mans life, ant
hold it in the hollow of your hand, only t.
fling it away. You may have richer lovers
you may have titles and wealth offered II
you, but you will never have love truer O
deeper than mine"
There was ring of truth about hi
words, and they haunted her.
II know am unworthy of you. Ii wer
acrowned king, and you, my peerless Pau
line, the humbleSt peasant, should chocS
you from the whole world to be my wife
But | am only a soldier-a poor soldier.
have but one treasure, and that offer to 70
the deepest, truest love OF my heart
would that | were king, and could WOO yo
more wnrthilv."
She looked up quickly-his eyes wei
drinking in the beauty of her face; but thel
was something in them from which 81
shrank without knowing why. She woul
have spoken, but he went on, quickly:
"Only grant my prayer, Pauline-prom':
to be my wife-promse to love me-and
will live only for you. / will give you II
heart my thoughts, my life. Twill take yC
to bright sunny lands, and will show you a
that the earth holds beautiful and fair. "
Shall be nv queen, and will be your hui
best slave'
His voice died away in great fearless 81
he loved her so dearly, and there was
much at stake. She looked at him with
finite pity in her dark eyes. He had said &
that he could think Of; he had wooed her
eOnuently as he was able: he had done