Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-03

! Il know, Mr.. Gray, that you have
been forbidden to ask any promise
from me, but I will repeat what |
have already said-I will never marry
without my dear fathers permission
| but | swear, until released by YOU.
! never to marry another man"
Then the lieutenant went out into
! the night and a few weeks later he
was transferred to some western or
| southern outpost, no one seemed to
know exactly where, or else the com
! mandant knew more than ne cared TO
| tell
| Theodore Barrett, although advised
| by Mr.. Wear as to the arrangement
with Lieut.. Gray. kept up his visits
! to Arcadia. Marion rather enjoyed
his society because he was always
| willing to talk about the lieutenant.
and although he generally spoke Of
him with pity, still to a young girl in
| love any confdant is better than none.
! Thus the affairs of Arcadia re-
manned for some time, Theodore grad
: ually increasing the warmth of his at
! tentiOns and speaking less frequently
of his rival
! One morning when he called he
found Miss Marion alone in the draw
ing room. His bearing was sad and
his countenance marked with an ex-
preston Of deep and affectiouate COM
passion.
! Marion could not but notice his
! peculiar manner, and asked at once if
he had received any bad news.
Il have indeed heard some news.
Miss Marion" he answered, land |
trust you will pardon me for being
the bearer of i'll tidings.''
I'LL tidings, Mr.. Barrettr' she ex-
claimed, pale with apprehension
{ what do you mean?"
Pray prepare yourself for a shock
Miss Marion" was Barrett's reply, as
he pulled from his pocket the local
newspaper of that morning. Il know
we'll how it will affect you, although
it is no matter of surprise to me, for,
knowing his character so we'll have
never expected anything else"
'What do you mean, Mr.. Barrett:
Whose character? Who are you alIud-
ing to-"
Carefully folding down a portion of
the paper, Barrett handed it to Mar
ion. saying as he did So:
Il have been expecting this"
Marion seized the paper, and with Il
chill like that Of death gathering
around her heart, she read:
eve are informed from thoroughly
reliable source that Lieut.. Harry Gray,
the we'll known and handsome son of
Maj. Gen. Gray, who was recently
quite a favorite in the society circles
j of st. Louis, was married month ago
to Miss Winscombe, one of the pretty
girls at the western garrison where
Lieut. Gray has been for some time
stationed. We extend our congratula-
tiOnS.''
With her eyes fixed upon the fatal
words, the unhappy Marion gazed I'M
til the letters seemed written in
blood. Then a mist came before her,
and with a cry she fell backwards
upon the sofa.
Having picked up the newspaper
and replaced it in his pocket, Barrett
rang the bell for assistance. AS the
young lady was under the charge of
/ the hOusekeeper and two or three
maid servants, he took his leave. say
ing he would not longer intrude, but
would call again next day to inquire
as to Miss Marion's health.
Weeks passed by, and although
Theodore's attentions became more
and more pressing, Marion appeared
not to notice them. The poor girl was
so completely wrapped up in her mis-
cry that she could notice nothing out
! side of her own atmosphere OF utter
wretchedness.
One afternoon Marion was seated by
the window with her hands folded In
her lap, gazing intently at nothing.
Theodore was standing near by. He
had been endeavoring to amuse her
and divert her attention from the one
subject that seemed to engroSS all her
thoughts. But it was labor in vain.
She evidently tried to interest herself
in his converse ton, but failing to do
so had fallen back into silence. Fin
ally Theodore stepped towards her
and said, very seriously:
Marion, will you give your atten-
ton for a few minutes?''
Without reply the young girl turned
her face towards him and he could
! see that her eyes were filed with
, tears.
Everybody must admit" he said
that you have received a severe dis
appointment, but do not you think
you have grieved enough over what,
looked at in the proper light, should
, be rather a subject for congra lula ton
! than regret?"
at is kindly meant on your part, no
doubt, Mr.. Barrett, but you do not
; understand and probably never will"
81 understand this, that instead of
giving yourself up to sorrow for los
ing the affections Of one who has GER
tainly proved himself unworthy Of
! recollection, you ought to felicitate
yourself that this faithlessness oc-
CURED when it did, and feel glad to
be we'll rid of a man who"
''Stop, Mr.. Barrett!' interrupted
Miss Marion, with more warmth than
she had displayed Of late. ''This is no
affair of yours, but if it were, l should
ask you to remember this-that what
ever may be the faults and shortcom-
j ing of Lieut.. Gray, I love him still and