Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-02
Story Of the Wedding Ring.
By BERTHA M. CLAY.

beauty. She was engrOssed in her da
dream of that golden future, whel
the little maid-servant came to tel
her that a gentleman wished to Sc
her
She rose hastily, crimson flush Oh
her fair face. A gentleman to see her
Who could it be?
Before she had time to ask the ques
ton, she saw a gentleman entering
through the garden-gate. He advanced
! towards her and bowed.
Have I the pleasure Of addressing
Mrs. Waldron?" he asked.
i He was so different from the people
she had passed her life amongs
! that she blushed and hesitated. She
could not help noticing that tht
stranger was watching her intentiy
with an interest that was not curl.
osity; he was studying every feature
and when she spoke LIE listened eager
ly to every word.
Il must apologize" he said, "for in
truding, but the garden-gate was
open, and I saw you here. Time is
very precious with me. I thought you
would pardon me if I followed the
maid"
She looked at him as though she
would fain ask him who he was; but
at that moment the strangers gaze
fell on the lovely little boy who was
playing on the grass. Suddenly a
oh n HI + A. -
hurried step, and then stood still.
rs that your child-your son-Mrs.
Waldron?" he asked, eagerly.
Yes" she replied; that is my
baby boy"
Il am very fond of children" said
the stranger; will you let me nurse
him?" He took the child in his arms,
and looked just as intently in his face.
HE is a noble boy" he said, "a
princely child. What is his name,
Mrs. WaldrOn?" she forgot the ir-
regularity of the interview in her de-
light at the gentleman's admiration
"His name is Lionel" she replied
I'VE call him Leo. His father wished
him to take my name, but I would not
consent"
Your name must be peculiar one
l. you could give it to a boy" he
said; and if Mrs. Waldron had looked
more intently at him, she would have
moment to him.
My name is Ismay," she said, and
at the word a strange flash of delight
came over the visitors face; and then
that she had not yet heard the reason
Mrs. Waldron seemed to remember
that she had not yet heard the rea-
son of his visit.
do you wish to see my husband?''
she asked
No" he replied, slowly. my object
in waiting upon you is to ask your
permission to make a sketch of this
charming little cottage"
Ismay looked up in delight.
A picture Of my home" she said.
81 think there can be no objection.
Are you an artist?"
The visitor smiled a strange, pc
culiar smile.
Not by profession; but I am fond
of drawing"
Then slowly, and with great art, he
drew her into conversation. He told
her that he had heard her history and
sympathized with her He asked her
if she remembered anything of her
life before she came to Ashburnham.
II could not possibly remember, -
Sn n6 h1J4 NC,
old. The only childish memory I
have is strange to say, of my mother S
hair-beautiful brown waving hair
with which I used to play; her face
comes dimly before me at times. I
remember nothing more"
you were three years Old" he
said; how do you know that?"
Il have heard Mrs. Hope say So,
she answered. when will you begin
the sketch?"
Here it suddenly struck Ismay that
perhaps Paul would not be pleased if
he knew how long this stranger had
been in the garden.
A slow smile spread over his face
A shrewder woman would have
OWNED at once that he had gone there
for an object and that the object was
attained.
with your permission, Mrs Valid
ron, I will call again and then we
can arrange about the SKETCH
| After a few more complimentary
words, the stranger withdrew, leaving
Ismay flattered, yet puzzled. What an
interest he had taken in her! How en-
crossed he had been in her story
and how pleased he had been with
! Leo!
! She sat dreaming under the elm-tree
thinking of everything that had beer
said until the maid came again to in
terrupt her; and then she grew
ashamed of herself.
How much thought I am giving t.
a stranger" she said. ct must be be
cause l so seldom see one"
CHAPTER V.
Bertram, Lord Carlswood, had tn,
reputation of being the proudest maj
in England. He was proud of hi
name, of his race, of his pedigree
proud of his unstained honor, of hi
large fortune, of his gentle wife, o
his fair children-proud of the re
pute in which he was held, of his higl
standing in the country. AS a rive
gathers force and strength from ever
) tributary stream, so he made ever
gift Heaven had bestowed upon hin
tributary to his pride.