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

One moment Of coma enSueS. 1t Is an
awful moment, i'll which nobody seems even
to breathe. The two Misses Blake turn into
a rigidity that might mean stone; the young
man pauses irresolutely, yet with stern
hess about his lips that bespeal1s settled
purpose not to be laid aside for any reason,
and that adds some years to his age.
Monica has turned to him. The tangled
wool has fallen unconsciously from her
hands to her feet. Her lips are parted, her
eyes wide: she sways little. Then soft
rapturouS cry breaks from her; there is a
simultaneous movement on his part and on
hers; and then-she is in his arms.
For few moments speech is impossible
to them; there seems nothing in the wide
world but he to her, and she to him.
Then he lifts her face, and looks at her
long and eagerly.
Eyes, have found you again, my love-
al last" he says.
"Ah! how long it has seemedP' whispers
she, with tears III her eyes,
A terrible silence fills the room, silence
that grows almost unbearable, until at
length it is broken by Miss Priscilla. Her
voice is low, and hushed and broken.
Monica, why did you deceive us?' she
says.
There is reproach, agonized disappoint-
ment, III her tone, but no anger.
To these poor old women the moment is
tragcal. The child of their last years-the
one thiIs they had held most dear and
sacred-has proved unworthy, has linked
herself with the opposition, has entered the
lists of the enemy. They are quite calm,
though trembling. Their grief is too great
for tears. But they stand together, and
there is a lost and heart-broken look about
them.
Monica, seeing 1t, breaks away from her
lovers restraining arms, and, running to
Miss Priscilla, falls down on her knees be-
fore her, and, clasping her waist with her
soft, white arms, bursts into bitter tears.
She clings to Miss Priscilla; but the old
lady, though her distress is very apparent
stands proudly erect, and looks not at her,
but at Desmond. The tears gathered slowly
in her eyeS-tears come ever slowly to those
whose youth lies far behind-and fall upon
the repentant sunny head; but the owner
shows no sign of forgiveness; yet l think
she would have dearly liked to take the
sweet sinner in her arms to comfort and for
give her, but for the pride and wounded
| feeling that overmastered her.
~ our presence here, sir, is an insult"
she says to Desmond, meaning to be stern;
but her grief has washed away the incivility
At her little speech and has left it only
vaguely reprOacntul. Desmond towers his
head before her gaze, and refrains from am
swer or explanation. A great sorrow for
the defenSeleSSneSS of their sorrow has
arisen in his breast for these old auntS, and
killed all meaner thoughts. l think he
would have felt degree Of relief if they
had both fallen upon him, and said hard
things to him, and SO reyenged themselves
in part.
Monica is sobbing bitterly. Not able to
| endure her grief, Desmond, going even to
the feet of Miss Priscilla, tries to raise her
from the ground. But she clings even more
| closely to Miss Priscilla, and so mutely re-
| fuses to go to him.
A pang, sudden thought. shoots through
him, and renders him desperate. VIII they
be bad to his poor little girl when he is
gone? will they scold her?
"Oh, madame" he says to Miss Priscilla,
with break in his voice, ''try to forgive
| her; be gentle with her. 1t was all nv
| fault,-mine entirely. | loved her. and
when she refused to hear me plead nv
cause, and shfunk from me because of the
, unhappy division that separates my family
| from yours, and because of her reverence
for your wishes, still urged her, and liz
| duced her to meet me secretly"
You did an evil deed, sir" says Miss
! Priscilla.
| 4 acknowledge it. I am altogether to
+, blame,' says Desmond, hastily. ''She has
! had nothing to do with it. Do not, I be-
seech you, say anything to her when 1 am
J gone that may augment her self-reproach."