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

myself DOunu UO lOOh dltcG IT,.
"Pity we can't have it petrified," says Mr..
Kelly, thoughtfully. "Then you might hang
it round your neck as a trophy" At this
they both laugh, and finally the trophy, af-
ter much difficulty, is satisfactorily stored
away.
1t is fortnight later, and desolation has
overtaken Monica. Brian has passed out of
her active life, has ceased from that seeing
and hearing and that satisfactory touch that
belong to daily intercourse with one be-
loved Only in thought can she find him
now. He has gone upon that threatened
journey to those detested estates of his in
WeStmeath.
She had gone down TO the riverside TO bid
him farewell and had been ca m. almost
careless, throughout the interview.-SO calm
that the young mans heart had died within
him, and latent sense Of hope deferred
had made it sick.
Butjust at the very last she had given way,
and had flung herself into his embrace, and
twined her arms round his neck,-dear,
clinging arms,-and had broken into bitter
weeping. And
Don't be long, Brian! don't be lonqP'
she had sobbed, with deep entreaty, and
with such tender passion as had shaken
all her slender frame.
So they had s'kissed and kissed" and,
parted. And Desmond, though sad as man
may be at the thought that he should look
upon her face no more for four long weeks,
still left her with gladder heart than he
had ever known. Her tears were sweet to
him, and in her grief he found solace for
his own.
And, indeed, as the days flew by, they
found the pain of absence was checkeled by
dreams Of the reunion that lay before them;
and each day, as it was born, and grew, and
died, and so was laid upon the pile of those
already gone, was a sad joy to them, and
counted not SO much day lost as enc gain
ed.
1--WE take no note of time but from its
loss" This loss in the present instance was
most sweet to Monica and her lover. TO
them Time was the name of a slow cruel
monster, whose death was to be desired.
And now the monster is slain, and to-day
Brian will return to COOle. She has prOmiS-
ed to meet him at the river but the relent-
less FateS are against her, and who shall in
terfere with their woven threads? AS
though some vile imp of their court had
whispered in Miss Priscila's ear the whole
story of her forbidden attachment, she keeps
Monica i'll the mOrning-rOOm with her, copy
ing out certain recipes of dry nature, that
could have been copied just as well to-mor-
| row, or next year, or 1leUCT.
AS the hour in which she ought to meet
her lover comes and goes by, the poor child's
pulses thrOb and her heart beats violently.
Kit has gone to the village, and so cannot
help her. All seems lost Her eyes grow
large and dark with represSed longing, her
hand trembleS.
There, that will do, dear child; thank
you" said Miss Priscilla, gratefully folding
up the obnoxious papers and slipping them
| into the davenport
1t is now quite half an hour-past the time
appointed by Desmond in his letter. Moni-
ca. rising impetuously, moves toward the
door.
rs the writing at an end?" Miss Pene-
lOpeS voice comes to her from the other end
of the ROOM with a plaintive ring in it. 1t
| casts despair upon the hope that is kindling
afrCSh within her bosom. "Dear, dear I'm
so glad! Monica, come to me, and help me
with this WOOL 1t has got so entangled that
only bright eyes like yours" with loving
smile, ''can rescue it from its hopeless state.''
This is just too much. A great fire kindles
! in her beautiful eyes; the spirit OF defiance
seizes on her gentle breast; her lips culver;
her breath comes from between them with
| painting haste. Eyes! she will so to him,
| she Will!' She rises to her feet.
| just at that moment the door is flung wide
| open, and Desmond enters the room.