Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-11-08
Chapter XIII

The very air of Ovens two rooms,
the bedroom and the dressing-rOOm off
Ii, shimmered with excitement. It
glowed in the soft light of the innum-
cradle wax candles with which Mary
had studded the tables, it hung in the
roSe-pink curtains, it shOne in the
Ieaping blue flame of the fire, 1t was
everywhere and most inconyeniently
so in the fingers of the new lady'S
maid creature of sentiment, who
was putting the finishing touches ito
her young mistress bodice, while Mary
was trotting round restlessly, disturb
ed in every individual hair of her
head, casting rapt chances at Gwer
and furtive ones II the door.
At the sound of n footstep on the
stairs she gave sudden start and her
face lighted, but it shaded as suddenly.
"Only Mrs. Fellowes." she murmur-
ed, and she showed her in with some
grinness
Mrs. FelloweS stopped on the rnresh-
old and took in Gwen leisurely with a
half-choked gasp Of wonder. then she
went over and kissed her.
Gwen, love, YOU are beautiful,
never knew it before"
Gwen looked up at her, then turned
TO the glass and laughed. Il am"
she said. Il am beautiful and | never
knew it before!'
Then she stood up and shook down
the soft cleaning folds Of her tulle
shrouded silk and Strengthened her
self.
1t was her first long dress, and add
ed two inches to her height.
Look, | am changed, | am a new
creature, | am afraid OF nothing!
feel like knight-errant setting forth
on his quest his was glory, mine
she paused.
whats yours?" said Mrs Fellowes.
smiling on her.
Mine? Mines glory too"
She paused again. and a sudden
trouble leaped into her face.
but it's due to me, see. Why nOt?''
And her great eyes flashed triumphant
ly into the glass. 81 will atanti' like
Paracelsus
She laughed again but her mirth
uiu IL .laF III III.
''He went the wrong way about it, -
remarked Mrs. Fellowes placidly, take
care you don't do the samer'
HE was fraud to begin with, I'm
not neither in brain nor body"
Mrs Fellowes looked at her critical
ly, 1.-The outside of you is fiawleSs
enough, and. goodness knows! you are
all there as far as brain goes. But
I'm not so sure as to the inside of you
shere, an inch or so to the left of that
diamond star, | believe you are per
fectly empty!'
ugh! That's empty of course, eX
cept for the bits of you and the rector
Il holds, there's been nothing to fill it.
"A thing must have a capacity fol
holding before it can hold. my goot
child, and original capacity dwindles
from disuse, as your fathers daughter
must know. Atrophy is the word il
your jargon, isn't it?''
"Oh, all glory doesn't come through
that mawkish muscle, l have lived fol
nineteen years without anything to tt!
the holding capacity of mine, and
can go on for while yet and get m!
glory through other channels"
mo, you can't, woman's crown o
glory comes through her heart or i
isn't worth the wearing. her hear
leads her reason. and is often tn,
surer guide into the bargain"
why do You speak like this" sale
the girl, flushing, and flashing out ;
white arm toward her. ION coming-ou
night? 1t isn't fair of your
"You brought it on yourself. m,
Gwen. you're setting out on a wron:
tack. Let yourself go. child be natura
and strive after-nothing. All goo
will come to you by Divine right"
A sudden chill ran down Mrs. Fe
loves back. and a horrid song bega
to Groom in her ears, Through niue
tribulation' We're the words of it, an
it kept on by fits all that evening.
Turn round again and let me loo
at you. dear. All, | feel as if it wer
the coming-out night of my own child!
There was a quick short catch in he
voice. kiss me. Gwen. and. darlins
don't think Of victory. there's bloc
in the very thought! The head an
front of woman's life is love God,
and mothers and man'sv'
you've forgotten your audience.
said Gwen sarcastically, 81 know notl