Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-22

4a looks Win aDDeallng ewes q: H,Iss tIage-
his hand on Monica's shoulder, who has her
face hidden in fold of her aunt's gown.
Sir" says Miss Priscilla, drawing her
self up, with touch of old-world grandeur
in her manner, but sad tremulousness in
her tone, 'my niece has been with us now
for some time, and we have dared to hope
she has been treated in accordance with the
great love we feel for her"
THE great love-" echoes Miss Penelope.
gently. Though deeply distres sed, both old
ladies are conscious of subdued admiration
for the young man, because of the tenderness
of his fears for his beloved.
But if" says Miss Priscilla, with q
mournful glance at the pretty bowed head,
IF she thinks we have failed in our love
toward her, as indeed it may be, by your
finding it necessary to ask US to treat her
with kindness in this trouble,-we can only
say to her that we Tegret.-that we"
Here she breaks down, and covers her sad
Old face with her trembling hands.
Monica springs to her feet.
'Oh, auntie!'' she says, world of love
and hope, reproach and penitence in her
voice. she throws her arms round her aunt's
neck; and, Miss Priscilla clasping her in
turn. somehow in one moment the crime is
condoned, and youth and age are met in
fond embrace.
Go, sir" says Miss Priscilla, presently,
without lifting her eyes. There is so much
gentleness in her tone that the young man
IS emboldened to ask a question.
you viii permit HE to come tomorrow,
to-to-plead my cause?' he says, anxiously.
Miss Priscilla hesitates, and a pang of APP
prehension rushes through her heart. He is
almost in despair, when Miss Penelope's
voice breaks the oppressive silence.
Eyes. Come tomorrow" she says, press
ing Miss Priscilla's arm. ''To-day we are
too tired too upset. Tomorrow let it be-"
II thank you, madame" says Desmond,
humbly; and then he turns to go but still
fingers with grieved eyes fixed on Monica.
Monica, you will give me one parting
wOrd?' he says, at last, as though the petit
ton is wrung from him.
Still holding Miss Priscilla's hand. she
turns to him, and raising her other arm,
places it softly round his neck. Holding
them both thus, she seems the embodiment
Of the spirit thatmuSt in the end unite them.
Her position compels her to throw back her
head little, and she smiles at him, a sad
little smile, but bright with love and trust.
mot a parting word" she says, with a
sweetness so grave as to be almost solemn.
"You viii be true to me?' says Desmond,
reckless of listeners. He has his arms round
her, and is waiting for her answer with
pale, earnest face. Something in the whole
scene touches the two kindly old maids with
a sense of tender reverence.
Until my DEATH says the girl, with slow
diStinctneSS, laying her head against The
gray sleeve of his coat.
A great wave of colOr--born of emotion
and love that is stronger than the grave
sweeps over his face. He stoops and lays
his lips on hers. When he is gone, Monica
turns suddenly upon Miss Priscilla.
DO not say a word to meI' she cries,
feverish y; Il could not bear it-nooU. l
may have done wrong, but l am not sorry
everything to you; it means alto mel Moth
ing said nothing; and"
Nothing shall be said, dear child" says
Miss Penelope, gently. "Everything shall
be as you wish with regard to us. Can you
not trust us to spare you where We cdnY'
81 am ungrateful. l must go and think it
all out" says Monica, stonily. pressing her
| hands against her head. She turns away. A
little cry breaks from Miss Priscilla.
'Oh! not without kissing us too, MOnca!'
she says, in broken voice, holding out her
arms to her niece. Monica throws herself
into them.
X
Long and eager is the discussion that fol-
lows on the girls disappearance.
The two Misses Blake, side by side, argue
with what they enormously term dispas-
slonafH calmneSs) the case just laid before
them.
Il don't know what is to be DONE" says
| Miss Priscilla, at length; ''all do know is
that, for her sake, consent will be impossi-
| ble."
"And what is to be said to him tomorrow?
| He looks so earnest, SO-fulI of her. What
| is to be said to hin?'
$50 his uncle looked at her mother" says
Miss Priscilla with terrible bitterness;' and
what came of that? Is this young man to
| steal from us our best and dearest-as he
did? Be firm, Penelope. For her sake
crush this attachment before the fckleneSs
that is in his blood asserts itself to break her
heart"
IL fear it will be broken either way. He
struck me as being very attractive young
man, and-but that would be impossible in
one OF his name-a very IOUdbJe young
! man." says Miss Penelope, timidly.
Penelope" says Miss Priscilla, with such
a sudden and awful amount of vehemerce
as literally makes Miss Penelope jump, Il
am ashamed OF you. Whatever We-that
it, Slightly confused ''youmay think about
that young man, please keep it to yourself,
and at least let me never hear you speak of
| Desmond in admiring terms"
SO saying, she stalks from the room, and
drives down to the village to execute COM
mission that has been hanging over her for
| fortnight, and which she chooses to-day to
fulfill, if only to prove to the outer world
that she is in no wise upset by the afternoon
excitement
Yet in a very short time she returns from
her drive, and with countenance so dis
| turbed that Miss Penelopes heart is filled
| with fresh dismay.
'What is it?' she says, following Miss
| Priscilla into her own room. You have
| heard something further; you have seen"
YES, L have hjm--yOmg Desmond"
| says Miss Priscilla, with an air Of much All
| tatiOn. 1T was Just outside the VILLAGE on
| my way nome; and lie was carrying little
| hurt child in his arms, and he was hushing
| it so tenderly; and-and the little one was
looking up i'll his face-and he kissed it
| and Why isn't he bad ,Uicked young
| man?' cries Miss Priscilla, in frenzy of
| despair, bursting into tears.
| CHAPTER XVIII.
| In the morning, a certain amount of con-
| straint prevails with every one Kit is. of