Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-20

| INTO a cDalr With an ejaculation of
wonder.
''Clarice Bartonr' he cried. why,
it does not seem possible! When did
you return?"
Nearly two months ago." Miss Bar
ton replied with her Nellbred COM
p0sure as she gracefully seated her
self. My dear mother died in Rome
last winter; Europe was uncomfortable
after that, so l came back to America. >
But you are So changedl'' Bernard
mJrmured, after expressing regret at
her loss.
Miss Barton smiled sadly.
The years change us ALL" she said;
they leave their mark"
oh, it is not that" he hastened To
say. You look not 4 day older than
when l last saw you; but-pardon my
I boldneSs-you are wonderfully improv-
ed"
Il am like my mothers people
Clarice answered quietly. ''They all
mature late; and the climate of Italy.
where l remained most of the time.
was very beneficial to me- l hope to
return in the of Il few MONTHS
They fell to talking of their travels.
and i o'clock struck before Norton
thought they had been chatting twenty
minutes. At that moment the haIl-door
changed and steps came towards them.
He arose to his feet.
''Impossible?' he said, looking at his
watch. Il can not have been here an
hour! Really
What he would have said remained
unSpOken, for Mrs. MunsOn and Grace
appeared in the doorway. His betrOth-
ed was very becOmingly dressed, but
so faded that she seemed like the ghost
of her former self Three years of
society had done their work. The
cheek had lost its bloom, the nose was
sharpened and the beautiful eyes lack
ed luSter. As she stood beside Clarice
for a moment she seemed utterly
eclipsed by her once plain cousin.
The meeting Of the lovers was con-
strained, and Bernard took his depart
ure, promising to call next day. which
he did. Grace informed him that he
must wait patiently for two more
weeks before he could see her often,
us she had engagements for every
hour.
But you and Clarica can console
each other" she said. ct will be
pleasant to compare notes Of travel"
Fernard was not slow to avail him
self OF this opportunity. and for two
bright, brief weeks he walked, talked,
drove and chatted with the charming
woman whom he had once sighted.
What Il Blind fool he had been! 1t
was Clarice he loyed-Clarice he had
always loved. She was the boys fancy
and the mans ideal. 1t was this cul-
tured, interesting woman who suited
him, and not the faded, frivolous Grace.
He grew mad with pain and rage us
he realized his position.
He walked into the parlor one after
noon, where Clarice was playing soft
".
DO not let me disturb YOU" he said,
as she nalf rose from the piano. 81
am in a mood to have my savage soul
soothed by music. Are the ladies out?"
Il think so,' answered Clarice. 81
have just returned from my walk and
have not seen them"
She played on softly, her dark,
dreamy eyes fixed on space. Bernard
looked at her with a brOoding passion.
Suddenly he crossed over to where she
sat-
"Clarice," he cried, ''ny own Claricc,
/ Gun not be longer silent! / love yOu
I have always loved you. Years ago
you cast me off for a foolish whim
and | tried to content myself by form
ing other ties. [ know now that [
have never forgotten you. CIarice, take
me back again.
His voice was trembling with emo
ton; but she stood coldIy regarding
him, and her voice was very hard as
she said:
MIR. Norton, [ can not excuse this
behavior. l loved you once very dear
~, but you made me ashamed of that
love and l cast it out. | have for
three years thought of you as my
cousins betrothed, almost her husband.
and you insult both her and me by
your conduct. | supposed you knew
that l am to be married as soon as
my term of mourning expires. Allow
me to pass"
She swept by him like a queen. The
alcove curtains parted and Grace stood
before him.
81 have heard ALL" she said. $50.
and never let me see your face again?"
She dropped the shining solitaire
which she had worn so long into his
hand, and pointed toward the door.
With bowed head he left her presence
and went down the marble steps for
the last time. He had played for each
in turn and lost both.
A Child's Wish.
1t was dusk. A cool twilight had