Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-12
CHAPTER XXXV.
How l Shall Miss You'll"

The season was drawing to a close,
and Lord st. Norman began to think
it was high time that he and his left
town. He expressed his wish to his
wife, and she was anxious that it
should be carried cut.
When Ethel heard it, her thoughts
flew at once to Sir Oscar. By this
time he had become so completely part
of her life that she did not know
what that life would be without him
1t was he who directed her reading,
who chose her books, who helped to
complete her art education, who taught
her The beauty Of goodness, of courage,
and If patience who made all the
brightness of her life. Now, for the
first time since she had begun to
know the value of his friendship, she
was to ne separated from him. and he
was t. pass out of her life.
Still the pain she suffered did not
open her eyes. She believed she was
grieved to lose her friend, and in that
friend saw no lover.
Sir Oscar had long foreseen that this
separation must take place, and he
| had made MS arrangements.
IF l can but induce her to write to
me-" he thought to himself, Il shall
have gained as great point as when
l won her promise to be my friend"
Lord St. Norman tells me you are
going away next week. How l shall
miss you'll" he said to her. 1T will
| seem to me as though one-half of my
| life were gone"
They had met at Lady Castledine's
concert, and, under cover of a grand
overture, Sir Oscar pleaded his cause.
Ethel looked very lovely. AS he
glanced at her he could not help think
ing how changed she was from the
time when he had first seen her.
The listlessness and melancholy had
vanished from her face, her eyes were
bright, there was look of hope and
| happiness about her which had been
previously wanting. Her dress, too
was, as usual, perfectiOn-White silk
with trimmings of gold fringe; a pome-
81 dudlC U1OSSOI1 w al III Lllt COllO VI
ner rich brown hair.
you never carry flowers he said
to her, suddenly; every other lady in
the room has bouquet. You always
prefer a fan. How is it?"
He saw shadow fall over her face.
How could she tell him that she never
carried flowers in her hand without
thinking Of that fatal summer morning
when she had gathered the passion
flowers wet with dew?
He saw in a moment that his words
had aroused some sad and unpleasant
memory in her mind, and he fastened
to make her forget them.
How 1 shall miss you'll" he repeated.
II do not like to think of the time
coming when l shall see you no
longer"
Life is all meeting and parting"
she said, 'eVen as it is pleasure and
pain"
Yet her lip quivered as she spoke,
and her beautiful eyes grew dim with
unshed tears. Sir Oscar looked visit
fully at her.
The impulse and the longing were
strong upon him to take her hands in
his own and tell her the story of his
love-tell her how passIonately he
loved her-but he restrained himself.
'She is sorry to lose me-" he said
to himself. Il can see that; but l
must not startle her. She is like
shy, bright, beautiful wild bird. l
must not alarm her"
So he sat and watched her with
wistful, longing, loving eyes; but no
word of that which filled his heart
passed his lips.
Miss st. Norman" he said, sud-
denly, you have been very kind to
me; you have promised to be my
friend, and believe nothing but death
will ever sever the bonds of our friend
ship"
She raised her eyes to his.
you are right" she asserted; moth
ing but DEATH
Il am going to ask something else
from you. L have been so accustomed
to discuss my opinions, and to argue
with you, that 1 shall be quite lost
after your departure. Will you permit
me occasionally to write to you?"
The jeweied fan that she held
trembled; the question startled her.
Writing seemed to be something diff
ferent from their easy, pleasant con-
versations.
Il will promise not to bore you too
often" he added.
She looked at him with a fresh, |
sweet smile
Il shall be much pleased with the |
she said, simply. ut |
will be pleasure to receive your let
tiers, and pleasure to answer them; |
but it will not be like seeing and talk
ing to you"
He sighed as he thought how differ
ent it would be. He would have been
better pleased if she had been less