Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-13

hard frost and keen east wind blow
ing.
He did not feel the cold-he did MOI
once give a thought to the danger
there might be in going to the house
where the sickness was raging. Moth
ing could have kept him from Elaine's
side; he had hungered for her presence
too long, his patience and endurance
seemed failing him at last
The las few PAGES seemed miles to
! his hurrying feet; he could scarcely
restrain his Impotence. and. when he
found the outer door was open, he
walked straight in, not waiting 10
summon any servant.
Without hesitation he turned into
the sitting-room, feeling sure that he
should find her there. Nor was he
mistaken. She was kneeling in front
Of the fire, as much for rest as
warmth, it struck the man who
watched her so yearningly, for every
line of her figure had fallen into an
attitude of repose. and her head was
leaning against the side Of the mantel-
piece as though too heavy, too weary
to hold itself erect.
For a few moments he stood there.
silently taking in every detail of her
self and her surroundings, content for
the time to know that she was near.
not inclined to be prodiga1 of the
pleasure that had been withheld from
him so long.
No longer able to resist the longing
to clasp her to his heart and with a
kiss to wipe away the marks of all
the tears she must have shed in her
loneliness, he stepped forward i'm
pulsively, brushing against something
as he moved and causing a slight
sound.
Instantly she turned, then rose
slowly to her feet, coming to meet
him with outstretched hand and
smileless lips, though an intensely
happy light was shining in her eyes.
He too was very grave; the moment
seemed too Hateful for any outward
show of joy though in the hearts of
both was wild temptestuous glad
ness and neither doubted the feelings
nor explanation.
Severn took her hands in his and
drew her closer and closer, till the
small fair head lay upon his breast;
then he stCcped and shOWered passion
ate caresses on her mouth.
Suddenly She broke way, a sharp
fear chasing away the mOmentary
warmth of color that had risen to her
face at The contact of his lips.
You ought not to be herer she
cried, alarmed.
There is no more fear for me than
YOU" he answered.
THAT is quite different-it is my
duty"
And mine to be with your-look-
irg into her eyes with loving persist
ence. Besides" he added, as she
still seemed doubtful and distressed.
the risk is run now; if any harm can
happen, it will happen after this.
But am not afraid; not need you be,
I think. 1t is only nervous subjects
that take Infection and I have room in
my mind for only one dear thought"
She raised her pale glowing face to
his-half grateful. half inquiring, APP
preciaTing beyond expression the keen
pleasure MS presence was to her,
though for his own sake she was un-
selfishly unwilling to allow him to re-
main.
Il mean to help you to nurse" went
on the colonel. quietly. "Mr. Bowyer
knows me, and won't mind my being
in his room, I think"
HE is delirious, and knows no one,"
she told him sadly. "The doctor is
with him now, but directly he has
gone must go to him again."
"Just to put your assistant into the
way. SO soon as I know exactly what
to do [ shall send you off for a long
rest; now that L am here, you shall
not have the lions share of the work"
She smiled sweetly, too happy in his
care to fight against his wish Her
lovers arm stole gently round her
waist
Tell me Elaine-did you miss me
while I was away?'
Miss you? Oh, so much! The time
seemed endless; and then we so
seldom heard Of you; and-and [ did
not know you cared"
'Elainer'
Only the single word, but she felt
all the reproof it was meant to con-
vey, and buried her head in his coat
to hide the burning blush that Suffused
her face-for deep down in her heart
had been the sweet assuranc that she
was dearer to him than any other.
Never mind, my darling" he whis-
pered, fondIy. "All the trouble is over
now-I hope forever; and think what
a happy future lies ahead. I can
scarcely believe in my own good
fortune-that l. who all my life have
been alone, should in the end have
won so great a treasure as your love
Elaine, tell me it is true-really true
that you love me, and are to be my
wife"
For a moment she hesitated; all the
old reasons why she must never marry
were as strong and uncomfortable as
ever, but they seemed to be fading into
nothingness in comparison with her
longing to be to him all that he de-
sired. She would tell him all-all.
however hard it might be for her to
say and him to hear-and leave the
issue in his hands.
II love YOU" she said, in the low
clear tones that from the first had
sounded so sweetly in his ear. ct is
for you to determine whether I can