Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-26


Waldron's wife, and he took her home
to his pretty cottage.
CHAPTER III.
Paul Waldron had won the girl he
loved; for a few weeks he was per-
fectIy happy, and then clouds, light as
the breath of the summer wind came
over the sky.
He thought his forest home so beau
tiful. He was so content with it
that he wondered his wife was not the
same. She was always asking about
the great world, longing to be in the
midst of it, and he could not under
stand her.
Il have no desire for life, Ismay,
outside my own home. Why are you
ever wishing for changer
he was too earnest even to under
stand her lighter nature; her wonder
full beauty had so completely charmed
him that he could not see her de-
ficiences of character. Her discon-
tent troubled him; it seemed to him a
want of love-and yet she must, she
did love him.
They had been married year when
their little child was born, and Paul
thought Ismay would grow more con-
tent then. She loved the child very
dearly, but not with the passionate
devotion some mothers give to their
children. She was not heroine; she
w2s wondrously lovely, gifted with
marvellous grace, and Paul Waldron
loved her
Ismay Waldron was far from faith
less. She was vain of her own love-
illness.
She longed with the whole strength
Of her soul for wealth. She envied
those who were rich and powerful.
She was worldly in her way, ambiti-
GUS, and always craving for one thing
riches. Yet she was amiable and
gentle, with a sweet caressing manner
that was both irresistible and charm
ing.
She was vain of her beauty. She
would look at her face in the mirror
and say to herself
Mrs. Scofeld is not half so fair, yet
she is the wife of a rich squire, and
wears jewels and satins. They tell
me some of the greatest ladies in the
land are plain of face. Yet beauty is
a power. 1t won Paul's love for me
what would it not win for me if went
into the world where men pay such
homage to it?"
The little cottage that Paul had taken
pains to make beautiful and pleasant
seemed so insignificant in her eyes. She
disliked the daily duties that should
have been so welcome to her.
Il do wish, Paul, that I had a SER
want do this for me-" she would say.
And then Paul, against his better
judgment, found a servant to relieve
her of the greater part of her work
Perhaps that was one of the mos
r unfortunate things he could have done
No one can be really unhappy or dis
4 cOntented who is constantly employed
. Ismay had ample time now for he
e dreams and fancies.
e Yet, despite all, she loved Paul, AM
|, she valued his love. She appreciated
e his entire devotion. eff l were to asl
: him to give me his life" she said tt
t herself, with a complacent smile, ''h
S would do it.
k She had yet to learn that men o
e Paul Waldron's stamp held man,
e things dearer than life.
= Their child grew and throve. TIL
e beautiful summer came round; tn
d world was all fair and bright, thu
r flowers were in bloom and the bird
: singing gaily in the trees. There wer
y times when the young man forgot tn
e light shadow on his home, forgot tina
o his beautiful wife was vain and dis
e contented, forgot everything eXcep
the heaven of beauty around him, ant
Y the heaven that shone in her face; ant
f then he wondered at his own happi
r ness, and was lost when he tried tt
S thank Heaven for it.
t One night he came home, looking 81
: unusually pleased that Ismay asked
. him the cause.
= Il have been working out one of m!
f IDEAS" he replied.
o Il have said nothing to you, Ismay
but here is the result of some weeks
9 diligent application"
y He showed her the model of
steam-engine into which he had intro
duced an improvement so great that
! if adopted, it would lead to importan
6 results. She took up the model care
f lessly, as though it were a toy.
: Il will show you the Improvement
o l will explain it, Ismay."
She looked at him with pretty ex
, preston of fright.
, Nay, do not explain, Paul. l an
;, not quick to understand; things o
o that kind do not interest me-"
His face fell; his sensitive nature
always shrank from such careless
words.
Everything that interests nj
: should interest you, Ismay," he OBJ
served, half sorrowfully; but she die
not even hear the words.
And from this may spring a for
a tune!" she said, musingly. "Ah, Paul
4 Paul, make haste. Time is flying. w
+ grow older every day, and youth is thu
= season for enjoyment. Make haste
q work hard
It He looked earnestly at her.
e why do you so long for wealth
d Ismay!" he asked.
5, Because of the pleasure and lux
:. ury it will bring" she replied, prompt
h lily, yet with a smile that disarmed al