Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-27

smile. 1--WE are sadly behind the world
rOcOc0"-Shrugging her shoulders pathetic
ally-''tO the last degree. You, Mr.. Ryde,
have opened up to US possibilities never
dreamt of before; touches of civilization
hitherto unknown
Il should think in your case very little
tuition would be sufficient" says Ryde, with
such kindly encouragement in his tone that
Ronayne, who is at Olga's feet, collapses.
and from being abnormally grave breaks
into riotouS laughter.
You must teach us stage effectS,-iS that
the proper term?-and correct us when we
betray too Grass an ignorance, and-above
all things, Mr.. Ryde," with an arch glance,
you must promise not to lose your temper
over the gducherieS of your Dolly Warden"
''WhoSe Dolly Varden?" asks Desmond,
coming up at this instant laden with cups OF
tea.
Mr.. Ryde's."
''He is to be Hugh to Miss Beresford's
Dolly" says Ronayne.
Yes isn't it good of Monica? she has
consented to take the part" says Olga, who
is really grateful to her for having helped
her out OF her difficulty.
''Hdue you?" says Desmond, turning upon
Monica with dilated eyes.
Yes. Is that tea Tor me?' returns she,
calmly, with great self-pOssession, seeing
that sundry eyes are upon her.
For you or any one" replies he. Tone
can convey far more meaning than words.
The words just now are correct enough bat
the tone is uncivil to the last degree. Moni-
ca, flushing slightly, takes cup from him,
and Olga takes the second.
There is a short silence whilst they stir
their tea, during which Madame O'Connor's
no eli
can above every tumult. She is discourse
IN enthusiastically about some wonderful
tree in her orchard, literally borne down by
fruit.
You never saw such a Si3htr' she is say
mr,-'iadpn down to the ground. The finest
show of pears in the country. Twas telling
William he would do we'll to prop it. But
suppose it will ruin the tree for the next
two years to come"
What the propping"' says RosSmoyne-
$40. IN enormous produce, you silly
boy = says nj, Aost -, With laugh.
Monica. who IS growing restIe,s beneath
Desmuuuo an.ry regard, turns to her nerv,
OuslY.
Il think l should like to see it," she
says, softly.
"Allow me to take you to it," says Ryde,
quickly, coming to her side.
Miss BereSford is coming with me-" in
terpo~es Desmond. His face is pale, and his
eyes flash OmnOuSly.
THAT is for Miss BereSford to decide"
'She has decided" says Desmond, grow
ing even paler, but never removing his eyes
from his rivals lie is playing a dangerous
game, but even in the danger is ecstasy.
And, as Monica continues silent, great joy
fills his soul.
''But until"-begins the Englishman, dog
gedly-"I hear"
Mrs. Bohun's cup is causing her embar-
rassment. See to it," interrupts Desmond
internationally. And then, turning to Mon
lea, he says, Come" c0ldy, but with such
passionate entreaty in his eyes that she is
borne away by it, and goes with him sub
mlssively across the lawn, until she has so
far withdrawn herself from her companions
that return would be undignified.
They go as far as the entrance to the Or
chard, good quarter of mile, in silence,
and then the storm breaks.
II won't have that fellow holding you in
his arms" says Desmond, pale with grief
and rage, standing still and confronting her.
II thought you said you would never be
Jealous again." says Monica, who has had
time to recover herself, and time, too, to
grow angry.
81 also said hoped you would never give
me cause"
Mrs. Bohun has arranged this tableaux.S
'Then disarrange it."
''But how?''
''Say you won't act with Ryde."
"You can't expect me to make myself
iaughable in that way"
Then ILL do it,"
"And so make me laughable in another
way. l can't see what right you have TORN
terfere," she breaks out suddenly, standing
before him, willful but lovely. "What are
you to me, or | to you, that you should order
NE about like this?"
You are all the world to me,-yOu are
noy 1OGe,' says the young man, in solemn
tone, but with paSSionately angry eyes.
"YoC. IAN refuse me if you like, but ] shall
go to my grave with your image only in my
heart. AS to what am to you, that is quite
another thing,-leSS than nothing, 1 should
say"
"And no wonder, too, considering your
G1CfW temper" says Monica, viciousIy; but
her tone trembles
AT this he seems to lose heart. A very
sad look creeps into his dark eyes and lin
gers there.
well, do what you like about these
wretched tableaux," he says, so YEARLY that
Monica, though victor Gus, feels inclined to
cry. elf they give you III ments pleasure,
why should L rebel? As you say, L am moth
ing to you Come let us 90 and look at this
famous pear-tree."
But she does not stir. They are inside the
orchard, standing in a secluded spot, with
only some green apples and an iyied wall
to see them. Her eyes are dOWncast, and
her slender fingers are playing neryOusy
with a ribbon on her Gown Her Inns have
ttken a emcrseful curve. Now, as though
unable to restrain the impulse, she raises
her eyes to his for brief second, Tut, brief
as it is, he can see that they are full of tears.
"Bran," she says nerYOuSly.
1t is the first time she has ever called him
by his Christian name, and he turLS to her
a face still sad indeed, but altogether sur
prlSed AMI pleased.
NOW, that's good Of yOu," he says.
'There is nothing good about me-" says
Monica, tyarfully. 81 am as horrid as l we'll
can b. and you are-Brian | will give up
that tableau. will not be Dolly Warden;
no, not if Mr. Ryde went on his knees to
me-"
"My dear, dear lover says Mr. Desmond.
3D. you ind ed love me- says Monica,
softly, in "spite of all do?'
81 love you because of all you do. What
is there not cOmmendable in every action Of
yours? l love you; live always in the
hope that some day you will be more to me
than you are to-day. A presumptuous hope,
perhaps" with rather forced sml2, "but
one tUiU not stife. | suppose every one
lives in visionary world at times, where
some not impossible she, reigns as queen,
| dare say you think my queen is impossible,
yet you little know what dreams have been
my playmates, night and day."
'Am L your quetn" Sweety.