Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-23

Have any llllIS 10 uo Will lndl HlllSy pas
SION"
You mean"
"Lover'
rs there such a thing?' says Monica,
wistfully, whereupon Mr.. Kelly says to him.
self, Now, what on earth has that fellow
been doing to her?" but aloud he says, in
his usual subdued tones,-
I don't know, I'm sure, but they say so,
and perhaps they whoever they may be, are
right. Ii so, think it is dangerous sub
ject to discuss with you. Let US skip it, and
60 on. You haven't told me why you are
not dancing with Desmond"
WHY should dance with Mr.. DeSmond?'
Because it is not always easy to have
refusal ready, perhaps, Or He has ask
ed you?'
She would have given a good deal at this
Instant to be able to answer NO" but the
remembrance of how he pleaded tn her
for one waltz that evening at the end of the
Moyne meadow comes between her and her
desire. So she says, Yes" instead
And you would none of him?"
NO"
1T isn't my part to ask why" says Kelly,
with quite miserable air; but still cam
not help wondering how any one can dislike
Desmond"
No answer. Miss Beresford, is looking
straight before her, but her color is distinct
ly higher, and there is determination about
her not to be cajOled into speech, that is I'M
mistakable. Having studied her for little,
Mr.. Kelly goes on:
81 never know whether it is DeSmond's
expression or manner that is so charming,
therefore | conclude it is both. Have you
noticed what a peculiarly lovable way he
has with him? But of course not, as, some
how, he has the misfortune to jar upon you.
Yet very few hate him. You see, you are
that excellent thing, an exception"
Il do not hate him." says Monica; and,
having thus unlocked her lips against her
inclination, she feels Owen Kelly of Kelly's
Grove has won the game; but she bears him
no i'll will for all that. 1T is the cause, it
is the cause, my soul!'
As she says this, she becomes aware that
Desmond himself has come to the foot of
the stairs and is gazing at her reproachfully.
Here is tickle Fortunes favorite literally
at our feet" says Owen Kelly; and, before
Monica can say anything, Brian has mount
ed the two steps that lie between him and
her, and is at her side.
IF | may not dance with you, may 1 at
least talk to you for moment or twoT' he
says, hurriedly, as Owen slips away.
Certainly" with cold surprise.
''What have l dOne?' asks Desmond, alb
ruptly, turning to Monica, who is gazing in
a rapt fashion at her large black fan"
"Done?"
Don't answer me like that, Monica. I
have offended you. I can see that. But
now? Every moment of this wretched after
noon, until you came, spent wondering
when you would arrive. And yet when at
last | did see you, you would vOuchsafe me
neither smile nor glance. In fact, you
looked as if you hated me!'
"EUery moment?' sardonically.
Every one"
Even those spent with Mrs. Bohun?" To
save her life she could not call her ''Olga"
now.
with her!' staring in some surprise at
his inquisitor. ''WelI, it certainly wasn't
quite so bad-the waiting, 1 mean-then.
Though still, with my mind full of you
was"
you were indeedp' interrupting him
hastily, with a contemptuouS smile.
'CertainlyI was" the surprise growing
deeper.
Il wonder you are not ashamed to sit
there and confess it," says Miss Beresford,
suddenly, with a wrathful fash in her eyes.
Il shall know how to believe you again.
To say one thing to me one day, and an
other thing to another person another day,
and" Here she finds difficulty in wind
ing up this extraordinary speech,s she says,
hurriedly. ''It is horrible"
what is horribleP" bewildered.
But she pays no heed to his question,
thinking it doubtless beneath her.
"At least" she says, with fine scorn, ''you
needn't be untruthful."
do you know" says Mr.. Desmond, des-
perately, you are making the most Won
derful remarks l ever heard in my life?
There is no beginning to them and Pm
dreadfulIy afraid there will be no ending"
mo doubt" scornfully, you are afraid"
IF [ allow I am" says Desmond, humbly,
twill it induce you to explain?"
You want no explanation" Indignantly.
"You know very we'll what you confessed a
while gO,-that-that-'yOlI lOere'! TheTeW
"Where9'
Flirting with Olga Bohunv'
''What?'
"You did. You know you did. Oh, what
pertidy! Only mOmentsince you declared
it openly, shamelessIy; and now you deny
it! Why, wouldn't have believed it, even
of yoat. How can you pretend to forget it%'
But that there are tears born of real emo
ton in her great eyes, Mr.. Desmond would
asSuredly believe she is making vast joke
at his expense, so innocent is he of any Of
Tense.
eff by some unfortunate method" he says,
calmly, you have metamOrphoSed any
speech of mine into declaration relative to
Irritation with Mrs. BOhun, you have done
an uncommonly clever thing. You have
turned lie into truth. I never said even
one spoony word to Olga Bohun in all my
life"
''Then why" in still much-aggrieved
tone, but with strong symptoms of relenting,
''did you say you were?
II don't remember saying it at ALL" says
poor Mr. Desmond, who has forgotten all
about his interrupted remark.
Then what were you saying to Olga just
as [ came imp
"Oh! thdtr'-brightenin into remem-
brance of the past by the greatest good luck,
or the quarrel might have proved final one
(Which would have been a sad pity, as so
many right good ones follow it,. You
stopped me just now when was going to
tell you about it. When you came this even
ing was dancing with Olga, and talking to
her of yooI. 1t was some small consolation"
But you were smiling at her." says Moni-
ca, faltering, land whispering to her l0hts-
pering"
''Of you. You believe me? Monica, look
at me. Do you know really think that"
But this valuable thought is forever lost
CHANGING at his companion he sees change
come over the spirit of her face. Her eyes
brighten; but not with pleasurable anticipa-
ton. Quite the reverse. She lays her hand
suddenly upon his arm, and gazes into the
landing place beneath.
There is Aunt Priscillap' she says, in an
awe-struck tone. "She has just come out
of that room. She is, 1 knO10,"-a guilty