Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-02
CHAPTER ".

growing ripe III LUe HeluS, IHe CIlnSOl
roses contrasted with the cool, white
lilies, the fruit hung rich and mellow
on the trees, while Ismay WaldrOr
still looked with longing eyes towards
the world which she wished to enter
She still gave every thought to the
master passion of her nature. In vain
the ringdoves cooed, and the lark
scared high with it's triumphant song;
in vain the flowers bloomed, and her
pretty child stretched out his little
hands to her. She was always think
ing, always dreaming Of that possible
future wherein Paul might grow rich,
and every desire of her heart be graft
fed.
She had ceased to wonder about
her mother; all her romantic visions
that she had once woven faded into
obscurity; her life seemed planned
and arranged; nothing could alter it.
She was Paul Waldrons wife, and she
loved him She wished for no greater
love than his; but if Paul could give
her wealth, if he could surround her
with the luxury she loved-ah, then
all would be WE'LL
Once-and Ismay never forgot it
she went to the Manor House; there
was grand fete to be given to the
tenantry, and Paul for the occasion
had put it on, with a flower in her
hair, she looked so lovely that he was
startled at her beauty. She read his
admiration in his eyes.
you will own" she said, that
dress makes some little difference. All,
Paul, if I had but jewels and rich
dresses, such as ladies wear!"
"You would not look more beauti-
full Ismay. Now you gladden. my
heart, then you would gladden. other
eyes, and I should not be so happy,
love"
Ismay never forgot that day. She
looked round the magnificent rooms
on the pictures, the statues, the
superb hangings, the furniture, the
rare fiowers-and her whole heart
ached with longing. She looked on
the faces of the ladies-sOme of them
country leaders of fashion-and she
saw none that could be compared with
her own. She watched the hundred
evidences of wealth and her very
soul seemed on fire with the eagerness
of her wishes.
why is there, naught for me?" she
said to herself. why should others
have money, luxury and splendOr,
while |, who am fairer than they
must pass my life in a lonely cottage
counting each shilling as l spend it?"
She saw the chances of admiration
cast upon her; she heard one ask
another, 'Who is that beautiful girl?"
and her vanity was fattered. If. so
plainly attired. she could produce this
marked sensation, what would she not
do when magnifcently dressed?
In the midst Of her excitement and
pleasure she could not refrain from
noticing one thing-amongs all the
crowd of men there was not one who
surpassed in appearance her husband
Paul. 1t was the first time she had
mixed in society, or had seen what is
commonly called the world. She had
imagined all those who bore noble
names would carry the impress of
those names on face and figure. Here
were lords. baronets, and squires, but
she saw amongst them no face more
noble than Pauls, no figure more man
ly: she heard no voice with so true a
ring, she saw no smile so luminous
and frank
He is one of Natures noblemen, y
said the young wife to herself, and her
heart grew warm as she looked at him.
She had thought that amongst people
SO greatly above him in position he
would perhaps show some mauvaise
honte-some shy embarrassment or
confusion: but on his frank, noble
face there was no trace of either.
There's somewhat in this world amiss
Shall be unriddled by-and-by,"
said Ismay to herself, as she watched
him. IF it were not so, Paul would
occupy one of the grand places these
men cannot fill so worthily as he"
She saw gentlemen of position talking
to him, seemingly deeply interested in
his conversation. She noticed an
other thing-his love was like a watch
full presence round her; he never for
got her; he seemed to be always think
ng of her comfort of what she would
like and again the young wife said to
herself
mo one could ever love me as Paul
does.
There came over her a vague kind OF
wonder as to what she would
do without his love. She might as
we'll be without food to eat. fresh all
to breathe. Life without Paul's love!
She smiled to herself at the idea, and
he, watching her from a distance
came to ask her why she smiled. She
looked with frank, sweet eyes into his
face.
Il was thinking what the world
would be like to me without you" she
replied, and I cannot realize it"
Heaven grant that you never may
sweet! I shall never know what the
world is without you, for 1 could no
live if l lost you"
The time came when they both re
membered those words
So the struggle went on in he
mind-the passionate longing, tn
eager wishes, the thirst FOR pleasure
the craving for wealth. doing battl
always with the love of husband an
child and the spirit of content.
She had longed for fortune, and
was coming to her; she longed TO
power and position, it was to be hers
but she was unconscious of it, an
said to herself at times that her lif
would be spent in dreams.