Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-26
WAVERLAND
Ely MARIE SARAH BRIGHAM.

IS ! led her to a seat. "Did you think you
could hide your love from me by assuming
Indifference"
Il was afraid could not, that was why
/ left Wayerland."
'Do you know the anguish I felt when
knew that you had gone? Where did you
go? How did you fare? Tell me all, my
darling
Il found Lady Irving, as you see. We
have been travelling together long time"
she answered evasively.
''But did you find her at once?"
~ cannot tell you now 1t would take
too long. / have found friends continual
ly."
IF had known you were safe 1 should
have been happy"
II do not believe that" she said archly
"You would have tried to find me if you
had known where | was"
"You are right. / never would have
been contented until had learned my fate
from your own dear lips. If mother had
not come to the library door just when she
did, should have known it then"
II felt the impulse. And I knew that
my life would be very dark without you.
My hungry heart was ready to respond to
the Ctlll Oh JOY ana nope.
"My hopes were rudely shattered when ]
came home and found that you had gone.
What dreary life | led for days and days.
But one evening it seemed to me you came
and said, If | were you would not let
my inheritance go to waste Then other
words that you had uttered, words of com
fort, and words of cheer, came to my mind.
They inspired me with courage and filed
hon 7 -,,I
that sometime we would meet, and that l
should yet win your love"
''How long was that after 1eft?''
about a month. Why?"
IL remember one evening about that
time | had been feeling that in all this
great world there was not one individual
that needed me, or that | could benefit by
living. There seemed to be no place for
me, no loving heart to claim mine i'll re-
turn. While sat musing in that melan-
choly frame of mind, seemed to hear your
voice saying, i need you! am coming for
your" From that time / never believed
that you would marry Annie, or that you
loved her. | remember thinking how
pleasant it would be if mind could answer
mind. 1t seemed almost as real as Ife.''
"But this is real' I said, "mind can an
swer mind, and heart can speak to heart.
But how came you here? ! never dreamed
of finding you this side of the Atlantic Or
have you been leading me Oh with your
magnetic powers, to find you here SO far
from home?"
I'VE have been coming toward each
other" she said laughing. 81 have often
thought of Waverland, dear old place; |
clyntohn1 7 ~,
But it would not be the same, now that
your mother is not there. She was very
dear to me. My heart went out in sympa-
thy for her in her loneliness, and I sought
to make her Apply"
"And you acCo. pliShed more than you
can ever know, my dear. My mother re-
remembered you, and asked us to forgive
her for the pain she had caused us both.
She gave her dying blessing ON our love
and prayed that we might meet. She said
that she had missed you more than words
can tell. / believe that grief for you short
ened her life. She had learned to love and
trust you, and when you left her all was
gone. But where have you been all these
monthsp" asked again.
Travelling with Lady Irving" she an
swered again. 81 am so glad she has at
last met the man she has loved from child
hood. Her father promised her hand in
marriage when she was but a child. She
obeyed his wish and became the wife Of her
fathers friend. But all the while the Duke
of MelvOrne, or James, as she calls him,
was her hearts idol. We have often talked
Of old friends and how often she had
hoped for a chance of meeting the duke
since she had been widow, for Lord 1rv'
ing lived only short time after their mar.
riage; and, what was very strange, her
father died about the same time, leaving
her alone in the world, with no nearer rel
atives than Sir Wren and his daughter.
Her mother died when she was a little
child. And now in this far away land she
has found the happiness for which she
longed."
Not only Lady Irving and the Duke OF
MelvOrne have found the longedfor
friends of other days, but ourselves as
WELL" said, leading her back to the par
lor.
When we entered the parlor we found
Lady Irving and the duke engaged in quiet
conversation. As we entered he came for
ward with the lady by his side, saying:
Lord Waverland, allow me to introduce
to you the future Duchess of Melvorne"
ALLOW me to introduce to you the fut-
ure Lady Waverland, now Miss Stella Ev-
erett." Ireioined.
"What part of the world have you been
travelling through" asked Melvorne OF
Lady Irving.
ave have been through parts Of Italy
France, Germany and the East Indies
Then through the Sandwich Islands into
California since last fall"
"You are only birds of passage, | should
say from the short time you spent in eacl
place." l said.
1--WE were there long enough to see the
places of greatest interest but not long
enough to become attached to any particu
lar spot" said Stella.
"When did you reach Denver?" asked
Melvorne.
ION the afternoon train from the west
When did you reach Denver?" she asked
"On the mornings train from the east,
answered Melvorne.
$50 you came from the east and we from
the west, to prove that the world is round
by meeting in this queen city of tn,
plains" said Stella. "There are goot
many grand things on this round ball. II
the past few months we have seen wonder
full sights"
EYES," said Lady Irving, 'Californi'
alone is an art gallery of exquisite pict
ures, painted by natures own hand.
wish we could have met there"
Colorado ranks high among the ar
galleries of the world for charming pict
ures," said Melvorne. "What are you
plans for tomorrow, Lady Irving"
II believe Mr.. Lollard has been study
ing the guide book for points we want t.
see. OF course we will all travel together
IT will ha so much nlnasantar ~ She an