Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05


Twelve O'Clock was the earliest hour
at which he could go over on the fol-
lowing morning, and exactly at to
stroke Of the clock he started off.
He walked quickly. but the way
seemed so long that he branched off
into a short cut that led through the
park across a small ditch into the
Dover House garden. Passing over
the soft grass, his footsteps fell almost
noiSelessly; and, as he came to where
the trees We're thickeSt. he heard
low sObbing sound, and stopped to dis
cover what it was Moving a FEW
steps further on, he saw that it was
the girl who had been so constantly in
his thoughts since he made her ac-
Quaintance only two days before She
was standing with her face .,uried in
her hands, weeping as though her
heart would break. while every violent
sob seemed to shake her slight figure
so that it was pitiful to witness. So
at least George Severn found it.
He stood there for a moment hesita-
ting what to do, trembling with eX-
|
her struggling with the knowledge that
any such desire was futile. With a
heart full Of sympathy, he turned has
tily and walked away in the direction
whence he had come When he
reached his destination, he received 4
cordial welcome from Mr. BOwyer. and
for nearly an hour they talked to-
in,
mon: then light step was heard out
side, and Ellen Warde entered the
room.
She bowed and smiled in answer to
Colonel Severn'S somewhat confused
greeting. Not a trace was on her of
the strong emotion which she had sue
cesSfully overcome. 1t was Colonel
Severn who was i'll at ease and be-
Wildered.
Mr.. BOwyer began to talk about Il
sketch which Ellen was to make that
afternoon, and to discuss the point
from which it should be taken, so their
visitor had leisure to recover himself,
and look round the room.
The room was altered. vet less so
than he expected. Nothing new had
been put into it-nOne of the little
favOrite knick-knacks which women
carry about with them 10 give even
the bare-lOoking rooms of a hotel a
semblance of home. They had brought
absolutely nothing with them except
an easel, on which was a new paint
ing. hein., scarcely dry.
You are quite an artist, Miss Warde.
I have no prettier picture on my walls
than that upon your easel row, though
some are by famous men. The river
sparkling in the sun. as it winds its
way through an orange- grove, is
charming; and the girl bathing her
feet is picture in herself, with her
bright clothes and basket Of flowers
laid beside her. Summer in Italy
the mere thought of it is alone a pleas
ure"
The girl looked pleased at his appre-
citation Of her work.
Il am so glad you think it pretty!
It was only a sketch at first, bat Mr..
Bowyer liked it. so | filed it in and
made picture Of it. Summer in It
aly'-that is a pretty name for it,
Colonel Severn stayed to luncheon
with them, but left almost Immediately
afterward. He had business letters
to write, and shut himself up in his
study to finish them directly he
reached home. But he found his
thoughts wandering very often, and a
face coming between him and the
oil II
always the same face, yet in different
moods. Ellen Warde smiling, Ellen
Warde in tears, OF inScruta5le as a
sphinx, with far-seeing absent eyes
and parted speeches. lips.
What was the fascination she pos
sessed for him? He COLD not tell;
but he realized with some excitement
and a little fear that the attraction
she exercised was growing stronger
every hour, snd that, if he meant to
combat it, he must do so at once, be-
fore it completely mastered him.
Should he go away? Charlie was not
to join him for another week, but he
could meet him somewhere; and the
boy would probably not object to a
l.
the country.
Two or three hours had been spent
in doubt and hesitation, and only half
his letters were written, when a cheer
full voice was heard Outside-sOme one
calling out to know where the colonel
was; and the next moment the door
was thrown open, and Charlie, travel
stained but radiant, stood before him.
II am here before you expected me,
sir" he explained, after cordial
handshake. 1.-The fact is, / grew tired
of old Browns pressing; and then l
wanted to see the new inheritance"
you've not come before you are
welcome, my boy" answered the colo
mel, warmly. II have been wanting
you very much indeed" :
And 1 hope you will want to keep
me now that you have me, sir" I
Il expect that you will get so sick Of
the dizziness of Lttlehaven that you
will be glad enough to get away, even
to Work-and Mr.. Brown /
NO fear Of that! 1 met the loveliest
girl 1 ever saw as came up from the
station. You know, OF course, there
was nothing to meet me there; so | ;
borrowed a pony from the station !
master. Such an old crock-I thought i
l shouldn't get here before dark.
Well, the reins We're over his neck, and
l was 'hurrooshing' him along when