Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-31

No he faltered, ''the scent of the
lilac was too much for me-
"Ah,'' she said, you do not like it?
think it is SO beautiful, so fragrant.
1t is my favourite flower"
He saw that she was prepared TO set
out.
L do not dislike the lilac he said,
gravely. Its fragrance pains me. 1t
takes ME back to an action in my life
which l bitterly regret"
Was he dreaming, or did Nettie's
face smile at him across the lilac
boughs as it had done ON that morn
ing long ago?
The doctors voice dispelled the
dream, however.
I am ready" she said, significantly
reminding him that she had graver
things to think about than to listen to
his regrets.
The mother Of the dying girl met
them on the threshold
The time has seemed long. l fear,
Mrs. Dempster," the doctor said; but
it is a long way"
"Oh, ma'am, how am I to thank you
for coming at all, and for all you have
done for my Kate?''
You can thank me best by being
brave now, by keeping strong for her
sake
May l waltz" the minister said.
The doctor merely bowed her head:
her thoughts had instantly flown else
where.
Soon all was over, and Dr. Arnold
was on her homeward way, Irwyn by
her side
Or. Alnold," he burst forth sud-
denly, lis it true what that girls
mother tells me? Is it true that wo-
men do die for love?'
Yes" she answered, turning her
grave face towards him, 'fit is true that
in some cases women do die for love.
Poor Kate, when the man she loved
Tilted her SO heartlessly, had no new
interest in her life. Everything was
dark and hopeless before her, and so
grieved over what had happened to
her till the light of life grew languid. J."
Her voice was tremulous as she
spoke.
Why was there something in that
tremulous, musical voice that made
him think of Nettie?
His heart somehow seemed to be full
of Nettie.
Women die of love- was the
thought he bore away in his heart.
The world was going we'll with Irwyn
just then
To bring the light to some city con-,
gregation had been the dream of his
life, and nobly he had succeeded.
He was soon one of the most popular
preachers in Glasgow. His church
was thronged every time he preached.
DR.. Arnold's time of work in Glas-
gov was over. She was spending a
few days at the Abbey before leaving.
Mrs. Whitelaw," she said 81 will
go to church with you tomorrow
want to hear Mr.. Irwyn preach
You have never gone Ito hear our
most popular preacher all the time you
have been in the city? Oh, you wom-
an of little curiosity!'
Mary" she remarked later, do you
know l have been amused lately at
the way in which MIR. Irwyn has
changed his opinion of women doctors?
Somehow it strikes me he is in love
with you"
A smile swept the doctors face
"Oh, wOmanp' she said, art thou
born with the matchmaking instinct?
Such things have no place in my life
now. They are all past and done
with
you have had your dreams?"
Long ago, in the far away long
ago."
MIR. Irwyn had never preached as he
preached that night.
"He grows more interesting every
day." many said as the multitude dis
rJ'sed
Irwyn had been unconscious even of
their presence. The woman he loved,
and whom he knew to be divided from
him by a barrier he himself had set
up, and could never break down, was
the one person in that vast church for
him. He saw her face everywhere and
always.
AS he looked, his brain seemed to
reel, for gradually that beloved face
grew into the image of Nettie, whose
eyes beheld him with grave and crit
ical look across the mists of years.
When he sat alone after it was all
over, he hid his face in his hands and
groaned.
II am not worthy he said, "to kiss
the hem Of her garment