Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-26

find some diversion, for her heart wa.
heavy and she was greatly perplexed
Dorothy was dissatisfied with her fol
, refusing that splendid Mr. Crayton.
besides two other men of good stand
ing
/ Since Herbert Barlow had treated
her so coldly and had finally left The
| city altogether Lillys felt as if life il
her native town would be unendur
able
In London she was received with
open arms by her uncle and his family
who were quite proud of their Ameri
can connection. She became so en-
chanted with her new life and sur
roundings that she almost forgot hel
former home, all but the one person
whose image often came before her.
One day, early in September, she and
her cousin We're taking hurried trip
down town on the underground rail.
way.
At one of the stations. as the con.
ductor suddenly slammed the door OF
their coupe, Lillys looked around. and
as she caught sight of familiar face
opposite her, exclaimed
why, Mr. Barlow, how strange to
see you here"
The gentleman addressed smiled, and
extending his hand in greeting, said:
Yes, strange indeed. Whoever would
have thought that we should meet here
actually on English soil?"
Then followed an introduction to
LillyS's cousin
When did you leave home?' queried
Barlow
''Oh, have been here ever since last
spring" answered Liilys, land how
long have you been travelling abroad
Mr.. Barlow?''
For the last seven OF eight months, -
he answered, his face clouding; "home
had no more charms for me-" he added,
so l have been doing the continent,
as the English say"
Lillys felt as if she had been stabbed
his words We're strangely significant
to her.
A few more remarks were exchanged
before they reached their destination
and Barlow left them without promis-
ing to call the following evening
The remainder of that day was like a
dream to Lillys Forsythe. Such an I'M
expected meeting was enough to upset
any one, she said, eXcusing her numer
Gus b.underS that afternoon.
Herbert Barlow appeared to be some
what changed, Lillys thought-there
was something in Lis naLncr that puz-
lied her
When the appointed evening arrived
NJ. Barlow was announced. Lillys was
the first to welcome him, and as Bar
low grasped her hand IL greeting he
held it firmly, and as their eyes met a
mutual understanding seemed to have
grown between them.
Let us abolish all formalities, Miss
Forsythe." said lie, seeing that they
We're alone; before | leave you again
l must know why you never answered
my letter in Which--in which [ asked
y3u to become my wife,"
LETTER." asked Lillys, with trem-
bling lips, rs Il bright crimson cOlored
her lips. L do not understand"
rs it possible" as a faint CLEAN of
hope lit his beautiful gray eyes, that
you never received it:
II know nothing about such a let
ter, said Lillys, almost inaudibly, for
her heart was beating violently.
For a moment all was still. Herbert
Barlow eagerly scanned the girls face
IA terrible feeling of doubt crept over
hm-had she ignored the letter? The
thought was SuffOcaing to him. He
burst out:
Miss Forsythe-Lillys-te me why
you never answered it?'
Mr. Barlow" as she looked him in
the face, Z never received such il let
ter from you'll"
Then may / ask you right here
will you be my wife,"
EYES," was the simple answer which
came from the very depths of the girls
heart, and came gladly.
But" she said, suddenly; what
will Mildred Deane say?"
Barlow laughed. Married a month
ago to Kenneth Grafton, you foolish
little woman" and he sealed her mouth
with a kiss.
The proposal, to be sure, was laconic
enough, but that was characteristic Of
the mantle love making followed and
continued indefinitely. Soon after a
quiet wedding took place in London
Herbert would have it so-and their
wedding journey took them back to
their American home.
But the mystery of the important let
ter was never so1vcd-who would have
dreamed of suspecting four-yearold
Teddie or Of searching for it in the
depths of an old closet.-Chicag News.