Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-07

| Oue says SHe VIII give HE dll can 90
/ if | come to the city. She has a good
many orders for bric-a-brac"
! Can you make much at it," asked
| Ben.
1T will support me while I am
learning to do more,' said Lima, lit
tie proudly, with a half glance in the
direction Of the lounge
HumEh!' came like an answer to
tt is, and Mr.. Powers rose up and
heavily walked out of the room.
Lima steadied her tell-tale mouth,
and brushed away a tear with deft
motion Of her hand Nobody saw -
tear, but Lawyer Millet saw the mo-
ton.
"So-hO!" he unused when in his
room that night, "she is ambitious, and
her father doesn't approve of it." A
very keen man was Lawyer Millet.
Lima Mastered to her room and cried
to the girl in the mirror. There. I've
done it," Then she stared at her for
two minutes asking the girl at the
end Of that time, Can I go and leave
them all, can I leave Bert?" answering
her own question, Yes, I can, and
will. I have decided
1t is a thousand pities, that certain
curve in Lina's mouth. She is such an
excellent woman, such a fine charac-
ter, such an artistic temperament.
She needs some one to advise with her
little. Really, Lawyer Millet will
have to see " hat can be done about it.
1t is the Goth of October. Lima Pow
ers in her mahogany coloreG house
dress makes a pretty bit of color as
she leans against pillar Of the
piazza. The pleasant afternoon sun
shine falls about her and lights up her
face that else might have lacked it's
Wonted brightness. II fingers in the
half-rif1ed trees and rests sweetly on
the browning grass. The yellow
leaves rustic softly, and after a little
dizzy fiutter, twinkle through the
sunny air and drift to her feet. Some
body is coming UP the walk, under the
arch of Melted g. ay branches and blue
sky over the leaf embroidered lawn.
1t is Lawyer MiIIet. He mounts the
steps, rests a hand lightly on her
shoulder, looks earnestly into her face.
"Why do you go?" he asks her.
Lima moves back a little tc free her
shoulder. 81 want something to live
for" she answered.
Lawyer Millet locked as if about to
whistle, then appeared to arrest it.
"And painting decorations is the some
thing you wish to live for
There was color enough in Lina's
cheeks now, without any local aids.
II mean that I want to be Of some use
in the world
DO [ understand that painting
knicknaCks is of srecial use to the
world, and that your present occupa-
ton of hOusekeeper and homekeeper
is of no use worth mentioning?" asked
Lawyer Millet again.
Il mean," said Lima, with a flash in
her eyes, that I want to be self
supporting"
OH" The lawyer seemed not a
whit disturbed. 81 think I understand
to live for is money The pretty
gowns and concert tickets and social
pleasures it will give you, is better
worth living for than the physical,
mental and spiritual culture of sister
and brothers and the making a pleas
ant resting place for father"
You are very rude to me-" said
Lima, her breath coming quick and her
voice almost angry. She darted down
the steps and out under the trees, van
ishing under the gray-blue arch.
Lawyer Millet was leaning against
the dining-room mantle looking
thoughtful and quite humble when
Lima came in
A glad light skone in his eyes when
he looked up and saw her standing in
the doorway Her face was softened
and her attitude betokened peace.
"Have you forgiven me?" he asked
with a smile, holding out his hand.
Lima did not see the hand or the
smile, she was busy arranging the
table
glitter herbs are wholesome" she
said, ''and Faithful are the wounds of
a friend"
He went quite up to her then
"Your hand, Lima; and will you always
think of me that way?"
She looked at him. Who could
doubt such earnest eyes? ''I will she
said.
Nothing more was said. Lima went
about softly. Within the last hour
she had seen herself and her life in a
new setting. She was an important
factor in homework She held
place in it that no one else could fill.
She knew it. Lawyer Millet knew it.
Whether the members of the family
acknowledged it or not, the fact re-
manned. After all, were not home
riches the dearest? Weren't there
crosses in every work? Might not there
be heavier crosses than her fathers
unjust treatment to bear in the life
she had marked out?
The boys came scurlying in from
their play, heated and hungry. Aldena
followed with the tea, and lastly came
Mr.. Powers, dropping heavily into his
chair. Lima looked at him with new
interest. What was his life? Work
all day, and a homecoming for a lit
tie rest at night What was it for? To
provide home for his family. What
thanks did he receive?
That night in her own room, LIMA
said to the girl in the mirror, her only
confdant, Almost 1 am persuaded"
She sat along time with her hands