Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-10


with me | felt my disadvantage, but
words failed TO express the grandeur
of these snow-capped peaks us they
raised their jutted sides to the blue
sky. The deep c;ulyons where thou
sands Of feet below flowed the Colorado
all how clearly it showed us that
perseverance, will wear away the hard
est obstacle; aye, even adamant. The
Mexican costumes still cling to Santa
Barbara and seem to inStill the air
with a vague, sweet novelty. In this
quaint city Of roses. SO like beloved
Italy. l left my darling in Mrs. Aloe's
tender care. while l took d trip up the
coast When I met Hal at Frisco. l
tell you. I felt my r. years lightly l
was telling him now in the last year
Fairy bad dropped. She was 50 dear
to me, and so was my friend, and I
could not keep the tears back. Hal
walked down to the beach and back
again.
BERTHE" he said at last. Il am an old
fool but I lost my heart to Fairy that
summer [ spent at your hCme."
why, man, you're old enough to be
her father" I exclaimed.
Il am not yet 40, Bertie,' he said
cot course, know l can never win her,
she is as far above ne as the stars
But do love her 1t came to me Tate
but it's real and earnest, Berthe
I looked at Hal. He did not look old
The brown curis were untouched by
times silver pencil. The unlined face,
merry blue eyes and StalWart figure
showed a man in the fulness Of his
prime. After Hal had spent few
days at Santa Barbara, he said to me:
Why don't you marry Mrs. Aloe:
She is alone; SO are you and Fairy.
She needs Il woman's care, and Mrs.
Aloe is such a perfect lady"
'Elinor," I said, Il am a blunt old
soldier, and buried my heart in Elias
Yes, father, he is far above me.
He thinks me a child"
How my heart ached. My Fairy was
a woman, with a woman's doom upon
her. [ told her then of her mother
how she had left me and how dark the
world looked. But, DEAR" [ said,
you are a soldiers daughter" Then
she kissed me and understood. She was
no longer iStleSS. She grew more
thoughtful, more unselfish and more
beautiful. She told us one day that
she wanted to go to Italy. I never
could deny her anything; so she went
All, my Fairy, that sorrow has nodded
your character-mad you the woman
you are today. After Fairy had gone
q little boy came to us. 1t once seem
ed that my heart contained no room
for another than Fairy, but the little
fellow with his eyes soon won his
place in my heart. When Robbie was
two the longing for Fairy was 50 great
that | could live without her no longer
So one day, ElinOr, Robbie and [ set
sail for Italy. We did not tell her we
were coming until we dropped i'm upon
her. Shall | ever forget that day? We
entered unannounced. A tall lady,
her bronze hair in a classic knot, her
brown eyes sparkling, her sweet Lips
parted, turned to us. 1t was our Fairy
When the greetings were over she led
us to q room and there we saw what
detained her in Italy. There in white
marble was Il perfect form in loose
drapery. The figure was gracefully
posed on one foot, one arm was up
raised, the beautiful head thrown
slightly back The expression on the
cold, marble face was one of the sweet
est patience. 1t was my Fairy's work
l took her i'm my arms and silently
looked ut her, while Elmer softly
grave. But [ have deep, loyal regard
for you, and you are alone. Fairy and
l need you. VIII you be my wife,
Eleanor placed her hand in mine,
and we went to the old mission church
and were married there and then. We
saw Fairy us we came in, sitting on the
Yeranda, gazing on the vast Pacific.
Fairy" l said, this is my wife"
My mother!' And l left the two
dearest to me on earth-together.
We passed the summer in the Yosen,
tie, where nature shows herself in ma
jeStic beauty. Capt. Story was n fire.
i quent visitor to our home. Never by
look or action did he betray his
! secret. With pain L observed that
/ Fairy avoided him. was on the verge
| of telling Elinor more than once, but
could not betray my dear friends
secret. Fairy seemed so happy and
| yet at times there came that wistful
| look that so puzzled me.
Tell me-" | said one day, drawing
her to my knee. She laid her head
on my shoulder and sobs such as only
well forth when long suppressed shool
her form. She had never kept a secret
from me before and l was panied
When she felt better she told me thai
there was one presence she lOnged for
and who though perhaps she loved no
more than she did me, yet one who
when away, seemed to take some of the
sunshine with him. This from my
Fairy, whom L had guarded so care
fully and so well. Who could he be
gone, indeed If Fairy loved like thi.
she would never love again. lis i
unreturned, dear?" l asked hel.
whispered:
Fear not in a world like this, for yOI
will know ere long how sublime thinE
it is to suffer and be strong"
We went to Venice, the city in The
sea. Unexpectedly l met Storey.
took him home with me. As we en-
tered our apartments we heard voices.
Nay, Elinor," Fairy said. Il am 4;
soldiers daughter, and must go on t,
the end with this locked in my heart
Forget it, Elinor. Harry Storey care
for me only as his friends daughter
am weak, my mother. Leave me t.