Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-09-13

favor me by coming purposely TO look
at mine
She laughed again, and the noncha-
lance Of her laughter piqUed him
With one bright glance she seemed &c
take in every detail of his face and
figure.
Those other artists were not like
you" she said.
Tell me in what way they differed
from me-" he requested.
They were old men. One of them
had flowing white hair, and you
4 am young," he said, thank
Heaven. Nevertheless you might take
an interest in my success, just as you
did in theirs"
certainly I might" she replied; and
then she looked at him with frankly
smiling eyes. Il believe" she said,
that you are almost the first young
man to whom I have ever spoken.
There are no young men in st. Bynos. .
I feel greatly honored," replied the
young lord. But what a strange place
ST. Byno's must be-"
1T is the loveiest spot in the whole
wide world" said the girl proudly
and the people here seem to me to
live almost forever. The vicar and the
lawyer must be sixty; and the doctor
is white-haired old man"
what becomes of the young men,"
asked the artist
They never settle down here" she
replied. They go away to the large
towns, as d rule, when they are boys.
Sometimes" she added, with uncon-
scious pathos, they come home to the
village; but they soon go back to the
busy world. However, some of us
never go away with a plaintiYe lit
tie sigh.
1T is an old-fashioned spot" he said
musingIy. There are few such left.
I like the mace and the name-St.
Byno's. 1t gives one the idea of wood
bine stretching along the hedges.
"St. Byno's aEounds with woodbine
during the month Of July" she said;
and her heart warmed to him because
he praised the home she loved. Il am
glad you like the villege. I am always
grieved when I hear people say that it
is dull and tame. What place could
be tame with such a view as this?''
You know the neighborhood well?'
he Intercepted.
Yes" she answered-"every hill
and valley, every lovely picturesque
nook and corner"
Then" he said, with grave courtesy,
perhaps you will tell me where / shah
find the prettiest scenes?"
eff [ may" she returned, suddenly
remembering that he was stranger,
and that she knew nothing of him.
Whose permission must you ask ."
he said.
MY aunt's," she replied
MAY / ask" he said, standing bare
headed before her ''to whom l have the
pleasure of speaking? You probably
live somewhere near; and, as I am
staying here for some little time, l
should feel greatly honored by an in
PRODUCTION to you"
A flush came over the exquisite face,
MY name is Violet" she said with
sweet, shy grace-"Violet Beaton."
"And you live here at st. Byno's?"
She turned and pointed to the left,
where, through an opening in the trees,
he caught a glimpse of a little cottage
built of white stone and covered with
climbing roses.
do you see the little house there
amongst the trees?" she asked. 1T is
called Acacia Cottage, from the fine
acacta-u ees that grow round it. My
aunt, Miss Alice Atherton, lives there
and I live with her.
''Have you no parents living?" he
asked.
mo. I was telling you how Ions
people live at St. Byno's; my parents
were exceptions to the rule. My father
died when l was ten years old, and my
mother soon followed him, heart
broken. I have lived with my aun
ever since
The beautiful head dropped, th'
musical voice faltered.
If you are not busy, do stay for ;
! few minutes the young artist said
eagerly. cit is so beautiful here thi
| bright June morning"
A fallen tree lay near her, and Viole
! Beaton sat down upon it.
4 ought not to stay" she said; en-
aunt will be angry at my long absenc
from home
Il should not think any one woul
ever be angry with you" he remarked
You do not know my aunt" sh
said, laughing gayly. "She entertain
some rather strong prejudices, anC
above all things, she dislikes youn
men"
she must be somewhat fOrmidabl
| person" observed the artist.
''She is-and yet she is not" Viole
said, growing suddenly grave an
Thoughtful. I am so deeply indebte
to her that l ought not to speak Oh
word against her. She does not under
stand youth or happiness. She has b.
one aim and end in life, that is til
performance of what she considers
be a duty. My aunt is tall an
angular She would not make a GOO
subject for a picture, for there is not
graceful line about her. Neither cou-
you fancy her crying or laughing, {
kissing a child. or singing a son
She is always prim and precise. Y
I she is good at heart"
Many strictly good people are vel
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