Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-25


ing of little Dora. who had sobbed
and wept in her arms when she was
saying goodbye, but who had been
all sunshine when Wilfred came to
find her-thinking of her brothers
tender farewell. of his look. when she
had said softly:
May Heaven make your life and
hers happy as mine fs"'
You did not say that always. sis
ter" he had returned wfstfuIIy.
No; I did not say it always" she
had answered. But l say it now"
{ Presently the smile on her lips grew
! brighter: for she heard silvery
voice. the patter of tiny feet. the
handle of the door shaken. and there
bounded to her side her boy. her
/ beautiful boy. who was slenderly
made and ethereal in all the childish
beauty Of golden locks and great dark
eyes-his mothers hair. people said,
and the Stanhope eyes.
You said | might come and see
you dressed like the picture in the
gallery" said the childish voice-the
clear. deliberate accentuation of four
years. My beautiful mammal And
he laid his soft cheek against hers
as she knelt by him, and cooed over
him softly.
But you aren't finished, mamma"
he presently asserted. looking with a
critical eye, and with all the air of
a connoisseur over her dress you
haven't any jewels-mustn't you?"
Eyes, my boy; but l have not
, chosen them yet" Clare said, smiling
at the infant worshiper Il think you
must choose for me tonight Wilfred.
What shall they be? Here are a great
many-green, and blue, and red, and
white"
The small fingers daintily touched
the rare gems shining in their cas-
kets; but they did not seem to satisfy
him; and at last he looked up with
a bright glance, and half sprung
away.
Il know know, mamma" he cried
delightedly. CHOSE pretty stones
that oh!-like-like-like the
stars! Papa showed them to me to-
day-Oh! do wear them, mamma
The girl stood quite still; she had
grown pale, and had set her lips
closely together, as though she were
crushing something back she would
not reveal to him; but, without wait
ing for an answer, the child bounded
to a cabinet, and opened a drawer
in which the key had been left, bring
ing forth in triumph the casket she
knew so we'll, and raising the lid
placed it in her hands
There, mamma" he said, with
great satisfaction beaming in his
large eyes, you shall wear those and
everyone will look at you; and you'll
be the loveliest, beautifulest lady
won't you, mamma 2"
Il don't know. dear"
With a wistful sadness of pain in
her face she held the jewels in her
hand, running the glittering string of
stones through her fingers. She look
ed round the room with haIf-curious
glance 1t was the same room-those
jewels had laid upon the table six
years before, What an agony of pain
she had lived through since then, and
what wondrous, glorious joy had also
come to her!
And Just then, as the child stood
looking wistfully at her, wonder in the
solemn eyes at the change in her face,
a soft, light step came to her side,
a soft, quiet hand was laid upon her
shoulder, and she turned and put the
jewels away. hiding her face on her
husbands breast.
81 cannot wear them, Lionel" she
whispered, TREMENDOUSLY. "Must II"
The boy came close and with Won
dering awe chung to Lionel's hand.
. "Is mamma unhappy, papa?" he
whispered. 81 saw tear on the
pretty stones. Why does she cry?
Was I naughty to take them out?"
mo, my boy" he said, laying his
hand, with a bright, yet half-sad
smile, on the golden head, 'you have
done no wrong. All! l might have
guessed that these little hands knew
where to find the brightest jewels"
'He will be disappointed" Glare re-
marked, rousing herself with an effort.
''He has set his heart upon seeing me
in these-the Stanhope diamonds"
She shivered a little as she touched
them again, and looked up appealing
ly saying: "Must 1 wear them to-
night. Lionel?'
''You shall please yourself, my
child" he answered, drawing the boy
to his side. do as you will
! "But you would like it too?' said
Clare, wistfully; and he smiled.
CHOSE eyes of yours must needs
read met he said "But my wish
shall be yours-thOugh I think ii
would be we'll if you put on the
diamonds. The world wonders that
you never wear them"
your wisL is enough" she returned
and then added, a brighter smile shin
ing in the large eyes that looked down
upon her little son, you and my boy
rule me with a rod Of iron! Clasp
them, Lionel"
/ Nay" he said, as he clasped the
jewels round her throat and arms,
and, bending down, kissed the broad
upturned brow, II think we both
draw you with golden cords of lover
| The End.