Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-12
Continued.

uberant spirits 1t seemed TO him that
the madness of the past two days was
a thing TO be ashamed Of and to be
iealOusly hidden away. He knew that
he loved or was learning to love Ell
len Warde; but fortunately he was
warned in time, and it was not too |
late to Stife the passion the folly OF |
which was SO clear to him now.
What chance had he with his gray |
hairs and spent life against Charles !
handsome face and winning ways?
But, even had he more in his favor, !
the situation was unten3ble in its III !
dignity. 1t was impossible, utterly i'm
possible, that he could sto0p TO rivalry
with his son Charlie over Ellen.
Colonel Severn was allowed no rest
the next day until he had consented
to 60 with his on to the Dover House.
He would gladly have sent Charlie
alone, but to this the boy objected so
strenuously that to have continued his
refusal would have aroused suspicion;
and that must never be. No one must
ever guess how near he had been to
making fool of himself, at his age
too, when he had thought himself i'm
pervious-and indeed ought to have
been so, and would have been if he
had met her in ordinary circumstances
of society.
The idea of taking to himself sec
ond wife had never seriously entered
his head; but the thought had some
times crossed his mind that some day
a woman past her first youth, whose
illusions were over, and VINO would re-
Quire from him neither enthusiasm nor
love, might be induced from the same
motives that influenced him to share
his lot. To attempt to link young
girls fate with his would be wrong
as we'll as undesirable he had thought,
and it was easy to imagine that the
natural incOngruities of taste would
cause intense suffering and great dis
appointment.
But Ellen Warde was not like other
young women. She was so sad and
staid that, even if he had paused to
analyze his feelings, he would scarcely
have thought of her youth as an OBJ
lection. All, that had been his mis-
take, which he realized more keenly
still as she came forward to meet his
son with frank smile of welcome and
outstretched handi For moment too
the small white fingers were aban-
doned to his clasp, but this was only
because it would be invidiouS to make
distinctions, and she had known him
first. SO at least he thought, and at
the earliest opportunity left her side
and opened a converse ton with Mr.
Bowyer.
He spoke connectedly and with his
usual clear judgment, out quite me-
chanically, for his whole attention was
concentrated on the other two, who
were seated on an ottoman turning
over the leaves of an album. Charlie
was in high spirits; once or twice he
laughed heartily; ana presently, unable
to resist the infection of his merri-
ment, Ellen Warde laughed at Charlie.
The colonel glanced wistfully across
the room to where his son sat. lean
ing forward. brI yht with ANNA ton
and gesticulating slightly-in affecta-
ton of the foreign fashion-as he
talked. Ellen's gray eyes were raised
to his face in evident interest, and the
NOIOl NCtI1It anu went III ueI tACltc-
ment: it was as though life had been
suddenly breathed into a statute, so
different was she from what she gen
orally was.
Charlie, who had seen her only so,
admired her without reserve, betray-
ing his admiration at evety turn. Col
Onel Severn got up to so, feeling that
he could bear it no longer.
He was a little surprised when Ell
len proposed to Mr.. Bowyer that they
should walk part of the way back with
them-more so when she pointedly
showed her intention of walking with
the colonel and not with his son.
Charles disappointment was visible,
but he rallied almost Immediately, and
made himself as agreeable as possible
to the AnglO-Australian who had once
been in the profession which he him
self was ultimately to adopt
The other two gradually dropped be-
hind talking generalities at first, until
Ellen Warde stopped quite suddenly
and faced her companion.
Il want you to help me, Colonel
Severn she said to him.
IF [ can do so, you may be quite
sure that l Will" said the colonel
Miss Mary Featherstone, the wears
daughter, called on me today"
az am glad of that-she is such a
nice girl. and will be a pleasant
friend"
THAT is quite impossible" she said
at last in a low strained voice. Il
can never be her friend. I am in
mourning, you know; do not visit"
But the wears daughter-surely-
1T makes no difference. II don't
wish to break through my rule. 1t is
for that I want your assistance. You
know very we'll, and can explain to
her that l am very grateful to her for
her kindness in coming to see me so
soon; but-but ! never make friends.
We are neither Of us sociable. In your
case it was different; but, if I re-
turned Miss Featherstone's call, others
might come: and-and-'
Thank you very much for making
an exception in our favor"-sravely.
You must not thank me; it was be-
cause Mr. Bowyer likes some one to
talk to-" she began; then, conscious of
the ungratefulness of her remark she
added with d winning smile you
were stranger then; now I too am
glad you did not remain So"