Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-05
MONICA
A TRUE LOVE STORY.


her tale: when lie got mp he didn'; Look =
bit better" she says. He looked worse !
think. Didn't you, Ulic?" addressing The
stricken young man in the window. And
always thought it was only children vha
said their prayers to people, ana not tire
groWn-up ones. And why did he chueSa
Olga? Wasn't there mamma? And wasn't
there Madame? You would have let hin
say his prayers to you, Madame. w0didn'e
you?' turning placidIy to her hostess.
Il should have been only too charme,l.-
too highly flattered," says Madame in a
stifiad tone; and then she gives way ais
gether, and breaks into a gay and hearty
laugh, under cover Of which OLA beats an
ignominious retreat.
Mr.. Ronayne, feeling rather than seeing
that his colleague in this disgTactfu f III
has taken fight, puts down his brushes so l.
" and jumps lightly from the open window
to the grass beneath. Then with q spa &
that belongs to his long limbs, he hurrieS
toward that corner of the house that Wi.
lead him to the hall door; as he turns it, lie
receives Olga almost in his arms.
on here" she says. ''Oh, that terrible
childr'
''She don't understand, poor little soul"
And then, as though the recollection over
comes him, he gives way to uncontrol able
mirth.
Such unseemly levityv' says Mrs. Bohun,
IN disguised tone; but, after the vaguest
hesitation, she laughs too.
Come to the orchard" says Ronayne:
and to the orchard they go. Here, finding
a rustic seat at the foot OF gnarled and
nloss-groWn a. ple-tree, they take possession
Of it.
at is very unfortunate" says Olga, with
sigh. Her fair hair is being blown like a
silver cloud hither and thither, and renders
her distractingly pretty.
You mean our betrayal by that child?'
"Ies. hope it viii cure you of ever be-
ing SC silly as to go on your knees to any
woman again."
Il shall never 90 on my knees to any wo-
man but you, whether you accept Or reject
me-"
Il am sure, don't know now am ever
to face those people inside again." Here
she puts one dainty little finger between her
lips and bites it cruelty.
There is nothing remarkable in having
ones accepted lover at ones feet"
But you are not that" she says, lifting
her br0WS and seeming half amused at his
b0idn6Ss.
by one word you can make me 500
Can 1? What is the word?"
This is pulling; but Mr.. Ronayne moth
ing daunted, says
You have only to say, you are and l
am."
1T isn't Christmas yet, says Mrs. BollHn;
you shouldn't throw cOnundrums at me
out Of season. 1t is too much! you are
and l am ! couldn't guess it, indeed; I'm
anything but cleyer.''
IF you say the I WILL you will find the
solution to oar cOnundrum at once"
but that is two words"
Olga, does the fact that love you carry
no weight with it at alp"
''Rut do you love me-TeaJlyF'
Need l answer that"'
But there are others, younger, prettier."
Nonsense! There is no one prettier than
you in this wide world"
Abr with charming smile, ''nOw in
deed | believe you 90 love me, for the Greek
Cupid is blind. What silly boy you are to
urge ibis matter? For one thing, l am older
han you"
"A year or two"
For another"
Il will not listen. Sony limits cannot
nod love out;' why, therefore, try to DIS
courage me"'
But you should Think
Il think only that if you will say what
ask you, [ shall be always with you, and you
with me-"
what is yo1Cr joy is my fear. Custom
creates WEAKNESS! And-'the lover, in the
husband may be loStp"
All! you have thought of me in that
light" eXclaim5 the young man, eagerly.
beloved, il you will only take me, you
shall find in me both lover and husband I'M
til your life's end"
The smile has died from Olga's lips; she
holds out her hands to him.
so be it, she says, gravely.
You mean it?' says Ronayne, as yet
afraid to believe in his happiness.
Yes. But if ever ourepent blame your
self"
And if you repent?
Il shall blame you too," she says, with
sudden return to her old archness.
land you will refuse Rossmoyne?'
she laughs outright at this, and glances at
aim from under dropping lashes.
4 can't promise that" she says, with
carefully simulated misunderstanding
caus,,-"
"What?' haughtily, moving away from
her.
81 did so yesterday"
"Oh, darling, how cruelty l misjudged
you! l thought feared"
Never mind all that. [ know-I forgive
you. I've a lovely temper" says Olga, with
much self-gratulation.
''Why did you refuse him? Was it," hope
fully, because you didn't like him?"
"N-o. Not so much that-as-" again
this shameless c0quette hesitatas, and turns
her head uneasily from side to side, as
though afraid to give utterance to the truth.
what? Explain, Olga" says her lover,
in fresh agony.
''As that I-loue y0up returns she, with a
heavenly smile.
His arms close round her, and at this mo-
ment she lets all her heart be seen by him.
The hooking light dies out of her eyes, her
face grows earnest. She let's her heart beat
with happy unrestralnt against his. The
minutes fly, but time was never made to be
counted by blssful lovers.
A gong sounding in the distance rouses
them from their contented dreaming.
81 must go and tell Hernia" she says,
starting to her feet; that is the dressing
bell"
You won't let her influence you against
me?"
NOBODY could Go that. Sne moves away
from him, and then runs back to him again
and lays her arms round his neck.
you are more to me now than Hernia,
and the aUorLdr' she says, softly.
Yet, presently, when she finds herself in
Hermia's calm presence, her courage some
what fails her. 1t is not that she for mo-
ment contemplates the idea of having to
give up her lover, but she is afraid of her
cousins cold disparagement of both him
and her.
Il have just promised to marry Ulic," she
Saws ninnpinp without nrafaca into her story