Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-22
s3EIElgIHElEl lEl5IEzIElGlgEl9@lg6z@
% lE
! Rcpentcd at Leisure. !
ii -H1- i@
II 81
u BERTHA M. CLAY. IL
b i@
BERTHA M. CLAY.



shining, silken folds, and she saw his
strong frame trembling. Something
like a Iong-drawn sigh escaped from
his lips
Il was afraid" he said, in a low
voice Il was sorely frightened, Ethel;
for I felt myself quite unworthy OF
you"
Then he sat by her side, and talked
to her until the girl fancied that she
was transported to some other sphere.
1t was pleasant to hear how beautiful
she was; how completely she had con-
claims that bound him to her; how
deeply, and dearly and truly he loved
her.
1t was so pleasant that she aban-
dOned herself to the charm, and Laurie
Nugent, with wild, eXulting triumph,
said to himself that he had won her
that she was his own.
The golden light of the evening sun
faded into purple cleaning, the vesper
song of the birds gradually ceased, but
still they sat on. At length Laurie MI
gent rose.
1T is growing late" he said. Ethel,
my darling-I may call you darling
now, and there is no sweeter word
l hardly like to propose it, but do you
not think it would be better not to say
anything at present to Miss Digby?'
She raised her head proudly, with
the naughty glance he knew so well
''Do you suppose that / should ever
say anything to Miss Digby? 1t is no
business of hers; it concerns papa.
When I think it needful / shall write
to him"
Miss Digby would take the keenest
pleasure in parting u.s." observed Mr.
Nugent. Il am quite sure of that
Oh Ethel, let me have a few days of
happiness-a few days of such unutter-
able bliss as rarely falls to mans lot!
You will not even tell your father yet?"
Not unless you wish me to do so, -
she replied
He would be sure to write, and
place the whole matter in Miss Digby S
hands; and then she would triumph.
Keep your own sweet counsel, Ethel.
Miss Digby shall never triumph over
me-" she said, proudly.
And, Ethel, now that you have ac-
copied me for your knight, you will
consent sometimes to see me; you will
let me join you in your morning walks
and your evening rambles; you will be
kind to me for the sake of the great
and mighty love l bear your"
She promised, and, bending his hand
some head, he kissed the white, soft
= hands. He looked at the beautiful
face but dared not touch it with his
, lips; and then, slowly and reluctantly
he went away through the silent woods
Helen Digby wondered that night at
| Ethel; the girl looked so beautiful
with a softened light on her face, and
: a dreamy expression on her eyes rer
words were unusually gentle, her man
ner had more than it's ordinary charm.
Helen was delighted, and cherished
, the vain hope that Ethel was begin
! ming to like her at last.
When the ladies had discussed the
sermon the congregation and the long
pleasant walk home, Lady Station
said:
II did not see Mr.. Nugent. He went
to the old church, l suppose"
Il am almost glad we did not see
} him remarked Miss Digby Il really
cannot tell why, but I am beginning to
have strange mistrust of him. [ do
not like Mr.. Nugent"
) A moment afterward, looking at
Ethel, she saw the fair young face
crimson, and Helen sighed as she won
! dered at it.
You are preiudiced, Helen" said
Lady Station, laughing, There is
!; nothing particular in Mr.. Nugent to ad-
} mire, nor do I see anything to dislike.
Ethel rose, and said goodnight.
Helen Digby looked pleased.
Ethel is beginning to like me. and to
feel more at home with me-" she said,
How happy I shall be when she cares
for me! She is a grand, noble, gener-
Gus girl, despite her pride and her love
of power. l cannot help longing for
her affection"
Lady Station laughed again, thinking
her friend sentimental, while Ethel
went to her room to dream once more
Of the scene in the woods
Laurie Nugent was triumphant he
! had barely hoped for so great a sue
cess.
Ethel was so beautiful, so naughty
, her smiles, though so sweet, were so
; rare-that he had hardly dared to hope
! that she would listen to him.
On that calm Sabbath evening he
| walked through the silent woods, feel
: ing, with his poetical, beauty-loving
nature, the charm of the scene around
him. Yet no beauty, no charm tempted
him to spare Ethel.
He thought Of her proud, fair young
beauty, of her high spirit, her noble
) nature.
He wondered how she would endure
the life that lay before her.
He wondered whether, in the time to
come, she would dislike him, hate him,
, loathe him.
He wondered over all these things
: yet the idea of sparing her, of saving
her, was beyond him; he was not
capable of the sacrifice.
1T must hasten matters now" he
said, AS he stopped to gather a spray
of wild clematis. Il cannot hide from
myself that 1 increased the chances Of