Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-09
MON ICA.
\ LOVE STORY OF MODERN DAYS.

Il don't" she says, unexpectedly; ana
then a little smile of conscious triumph
wreathes her lips as she looks at him, stand
ing moody and detected before her. A word
from her will transform him; and now, the
day being all her own, she can afford to be
generous Even the very best Of women
can be cruel to their lovers.
Il DON'T" she says, mot get. There is
something l want to ask you first" She
pauSeS in tantaliZing fashion, and chances
from the grass she is still holding to him.
and from him back to the grass again, be-
fore she speaks. 1T is a question:" she
says then, as though reluctantly, 'but you
look so angry with me that am afraid to
ask it," This is the rankest hypocrisy as
he is as wax in her hands at this moment:
but, though he knows it, he gives in to the
sweetness of her manner, and lets his face
clear.
Ask me anything you like" he says,
turning upon her now cOuntenance more
in sorrow than in anger"
at isn't much" says Miss Beresford,
sweetly, "onIy-what is your Christian
name? 1 have been so longing to know. 1t
IS very unpleasant to be obliged to think of
people by their surnames is it not? so I'M
friendlyr'
He is quite staggered by the excess of her
geniality.
MY name is Brian," he says, devoutly
hoping she will not think it hideOus and so
see cause to pass judgment upon it.
"BrIan!' going nearer to him with half
shy eyes, and little Tjd1lte mouth that with
difficulty suppresses its laughter. How
pretty! Brian," purposely lingering over it,
with an Il of course"
YES"
Pm so glad [ know yours nOwT" says
this dlSgraceful little cOquette, with sigh
OF pretended relief. You knew mine, and
that wasn't fair, you know. Besides, y
with rapid glance that might have melted
an anchOrite and delivered him from the
error of his Ways,-''besides, I may want to
call you by it some day, and then [ should
be at a IOss.''
Though by no means proof against so
much friendlinesS, Mr.. Desmond still con-
tinues to maintain an injured demeanOr.
Monica lays one little hand lightly on his
arm.
Wont you ask me to call you by it?" she
says, with the prettiest reproach.
"Oh, Monica" says the young man, Selling
her hand and pressing it against his heart,
''youknoWyou power, be merciful. Darling"
drawing her still nearer to him, Il don't
think you quite understand how it is with
me; but, indeed, love you with all my
heart and soul"
But in such q little time! How can it be
true? says Monica, al her gayety turning
into serious wonderment.
Love is a thing as any spirit free,'"
quotes he, tanderly Glow shall one know
when the god may come? It has nothing to
do with time. l have seen you,--it little
matters how often, now | love you.
Dear heart, try 10 love me-"
There is something in his manner both
gentle and earnest. Impressed by it, she
whispers, SOFTLY
II aOUJ try"
and you Will call me Brian?'
ooh, mo, indeed mot yet" entreats
she, stepping back from him as far as he
will allow her.
Very well, not yet"
And you will go to the Barracks for this
dance?''
Il will do anything on earth you ask me.
You know that too well, [ fear, for my peace
of mind.''
'sAnd you won't be angry with me if I
don't dance with you there?'
mo. L promise that too. All! Here is
Miss Kit coming,-and without the roses
after ALL
1t is true she has no roses; she has, in
deed, forgotten she even pretended to want
them, and has been happy while away with
her song and her own thoughts.
i think, Monica, we ought, perhaps, to
be thinking Of going hOme," she says,
apOlogetically, yet with quite a motaerly
air. Has she not been mounting guard over
and humoring these two giddy young peo-
pie before her?
Yes think so too;" and the goodness
Of Kit, and something else, strike her.
IF we are asked to this dance at Clon-
bree, and if we go, I should like Kit to go
too" she says in soft aside to Desmond.
who says, That is all right; [ settled it
with Cobbett, yesterday" in the same tone;
and then a little more energetically, as he
sees the moments flying, he goes on, BE
fore you go, say one thing after me. 1t will
be small consolation until [ see you again.
Say, Brian, goOd-by.'"
''Good-by, Brian," she whispers, shyly,
and then she draws her hand out of his, and
turning to the studiously inattentive Kit,
passes her arm through hers.
''Good-by, Mr.. Desmond! trust we may
soon meet again." says the younger Miss
BeresfOrd, with rather grand air, smiling
upon him patronizingly.
Il hope so too" says Desmond, gravely,
ana bildG next Iile you Will graclOuSly &C
cord me little more of your society,""
Quite pleased with this delicate protest
against her heightened absence, Kit bows
politely, and she and Monica take their
homeward way.
Once Monica turns, to wave him little
friendly adieu, and he can see again her
soft, bare arms, her pretty baby-neck in her
white dinner-gown, and her lovely, earnest
oh nd
seems to him like the ceasing of exquisite
music" and nothing is left him but the wall
ing OF the rising night-wind, and the MEM
DRY of a perfect girl-face that he knows will
haunt him till he dies.
CHAPTER TX.
Monica and Kit reach the house in
breathlesS haste. 1t is far later than they