Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-12-28

her dainty boudoir. The lights burn
dimly through opalescent globes that
swing low on either side the dressing
table. the soft rays reflected from all
the bravery of crystal and silver be-
longings scattered in careless pro-
fusion on the silllen cover Another
shining from above hangs directly
over the tall Psyche mirror III which IS
reflected the girls exquisite face and
perfect form as she REGIMES in a low,
crimson, velvet chair, with the fire
light sending ftful CLEANS over her
where she sits. Exquisite, indeed
with the rich beauty of tropical
flower is Jessica. to whom some Span
ish ancestor has bequeathed her Won
derful dark eyes and almond-hued
skin. and whose figure might have
ripened under the same warm sun that
kisses such flowers 10 perfection. 1t IS
near the STROKE of l2 and Jessica
raises her luminous eyes to the clock,
a pretty toy in ivory and gold, all
romping Cupids and cooling doves,
chasing the hours and ringing them
ont in sweet chimes upon golden bells.
How strange it seems" she says
softly to herself. Just one year ago;
and we were So happy! | heard to-
night that Harold mad returned: if
could but see him: just a moment, to
say how sorry ! am, and how foolish to
let pride stand between me and my
love.
She rises impatiently and PAGES the
a IL, I
of her gown making a soft frou frou on
the rich rugs as she walks. Pride and
love have fought within her too often
for her not II dread the struggle: only
she feels tonight that she must see
him, her lover, so soft and tender in
speech to her, yet brave withal and
manly.
While she lives over and yet again in
memory, all the happy hours they
knew once-so long ago it seems;
though but a twelvemonth-the hour
rings out softly, clearly. with slow,
musical strokes upon the golden bells
of the pretty toy that stands above
the fire. She pauses to listen
and count. and recalls with thrill
how Harold looked at just this hour
year ago as he stood listening to the
midnight chimes ringing out the old
year, ringing in the new, and waiting
with longing and-ycs, she is sure
loving eyes, yet dignified mien, for her
word Of forgiveness or dismissal. And
she? How could she let him go thus,
she thinks, without an explanation?
True, he ought to have known; but
there-how should he know?
And so the twelve strokes fall upon
her heart, lingering, slow, telling that
the old year is dying and the new year
close. Close? 1t is here! And all at
once a sudden impulse seizes Jessica;
she flies swiftly to her ivory escritoire;
III hel haste so eager she can scarce
control Ter pen t. trace the words, and
she writes. at first many words, then
upon new Sheet OF paper, only line:
Come to meAif YOU care to.
"JEssICA,"
and dates it New y ears day Softly she
HES her way TO the lower hail and de"
posts the nissive in the box at the door,
whence she knows it cannot be res
cued save by the post collector, and
then she creeps, all atremble with her
own emotions. into her nest. where
slunloer soon sets its seal upon her
huttering heart and snowy lids.
New Years eve" says handsome
.rold Gray, as he throws himself into
favorite chair. which somehow
ms not to fit his broad frame and
y length SO comfortab bly, as usual
strikes light for his choroo1, but
hstless air. and looks up at the
<, massive ebony figure, holding
ear appraised with which to strike a
-en shield when the hour bids. 1t
.ear midnight. and Harold's eyes