Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-03

happened, but froze as she softened
| bring me to terms through my jealousy
no doubt, she said:
&c Dick Marston proposed to me last
night and II you have no objections
think shall except him
Il have not the slightest objections
why should have? said"
L don't know-but-you once said
something of the sort-yourself, said
Nellie, with a burning blush.
| II am not quite such fool as | was
then, was the screening rejoiner, which
burst from my lips before knew what
| was saying. Again crimson flush suf-
fused her whole face, but this time it was
caused by righteous anger; and when it
faded it left her as white as ashes.
Her lovely lips compressed into look
of bitter and Interchangeable determination
as she abruptly turned and left me- !
could have torn my tongue out for It's
brutal and scathing reio1nder, but my
pride would not allow me to call her
back, and | let her go without word.
In three weeks she was Dick Marston 5
wife.
LAS soon as | heard of the marriage |
! resigned my position and left the state.
was gone for more than a year, bat
somehow | could not seem to do any
thing or be anybody. All of my old-time
energy and ambition, and even my very
love OF life. seemed to have forsaken me-
at length, when I could endure the alb
sence no longer. | returned to my native
town.
Il had scarcely set foot in the village
when | saw poorly dressed woman try
ing to induce a drunken, miserable
wretch, evidently her husband, to accom-
pany her home. She turned her pinched
and haggered features toward me as
approached her. Great Godl 1t was
Nellie.
LAS SIZE recognized me a look of ioy
that suddenly changed to one of the
deepest despair, shot across her pallid
countenance; and she stretched out 10th
her arms ere she remembered that t. do
so was almost a crime. Then she sud
denly drew back and hid her face in both
her hands as a choking sob shook her
whole figure.
Il saw the truGh in an instant. she
had married Dick Marston in a moment
Of anger and spite, but her heart was ir-
revocably mine. And he, drunken vag-
bond that he was, had evidently made
her life one perpetual round of misery and
disgrace.
81 could not trust myself to approach
her, SO | turned away with grief and
despair in my heart. Poor Nellie renewed
her efforts to get her intoxicated husband
home, and he soon staggered around the
corner and they vanished from my sight.
at was the last time that | ever saw
Nellie Marston alive. That very night
her husband blew out her brains and then
his own in fit of delirum tremens and
they we're both buried by public charity.
Life that had once opened so brightly
for me became long torment and mis-
cradle failure from the moment of that
angry parting with Nellie Forsythe in the
old Nelson 0oodlot. There | ruined nv
own Life a.,d prospects, as well as those Of
the girl | loved better than life itself, all
on account of my wrecked pride and
jealousy. All! Ned, curb false pride and
beware of lovers quarrels ere it Is too
late"
As Uncle Ross ceased speaking, his
bead once more dropped upon bis hand.
Not word was said for some moments;
when the young man silently rose and left
the apartment aud house.
That evening he returned with a look
quiet happiness upon his face, and bend.
ing over his uncle's chair, he whispered
at is all right, Uncle Ross; and I
thank you for your story Henrietta and
| are done with lovers quarrels now;
hope forever"