Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-11

retreat, and here only her intinates
were admitted. 1t was in this room
that her chosen friends came at )
O'clock OF each afternoon for little
time OF true sociability ana rest around
Miss Faille's fragrant samovar. Andin
these peaceful pleasures Moore was al
ways invited to participate. Though
the conversation on these occasions
was nearly always light-hearted. II was
never trivial; at times it was learned,
at other times grave. But it was al
ways Edith Vaille who dominated in
tit was she who introduced the new
book or the new musical composition
for discussion. 1t was she who in
spired her guests to their best whether
| in conversation or in playing upon the
piano or violin.
! Such strong friendships did Howard
! Moore form in this familiar room and
in such high esteem was he held that
f, he forgot all about his foolish vanities
and chagrins. Moreover, he becameab-
| sorbed, too, in the charities of the
chatelaine. The struggles of which he
learned, the heroic bravery of the poor,
the pains and disappointments OF
genius, the frightful suffering of those
whom society trampled under foot,
made him forget all about himself.
In short time he realized that the
small knowledge he had acquired at
the schools was totally inadequate to
permit him to solve the least of life's
problems. His egotism died away as
frost melts before the sun. His atti-
tude of mind became finely humble,
and he learned from his beautiful pat
ron the lesson which her whole life
taught, that in service is the only sat
isfactory living.
But along with the happiness that
arose from true knowledge like this
was terrible sorrow. He discovered
to his unqualified dismay, that he loved
Edith Vaille. 1t was no whimsical in
fatuation, no light, adoring admira-
ton that could be put aside for other
thoughts. He realized that he was
destined to worship this woman to the
last day of his life. That his love was
absurd, impertinent, impossible, he
did not doubt. There was not a grain
of hope in his passion. He resigned
himself to his misfortune and got what
comfort he could from the reflection
that it was a noble love and for a wo-
man of incompatible qualities.
He was quite sure that his manner
betrayed nothing-he would never per-
nit himself even to be distant or con-
ventional in his demeanor. He aimed
to keep the cordial and respectful at
titude of a trusted assistant and friend.
If sometimes his face flushed when her
perfumed garments brushed him in
passing; if he sometimes picked up the
flowers that fell from her corsage; if,
when she came to dinner, glowing in
her laces and jewels, his eyes betrayed
an uncomfortable admiration, he
prayed that she did not see it.
But as time went on his pain became
almost unsupportable. His nights
were nearly sleepless. He had to
force the food over his lips There
were half insane moments when he
thought he should fall at her feet and
confess with anguish his folly. He be
gan to debate the propriety of leaving,
but he was held to his place by two
considerations. The first was that he
had made himself necessary to her
comfort, and the execution of her dis
interested public services; the second,
that he knew of no other way in which
he could make his living.
He came down to the morning-rOom
one day after nearly sleepless night
to find her looking more beautiful than
ever before. A voluminous morning
robe of grass green silk swept about
her, bringing out the freshness of her
kindly face. In her wreaths of brown
hair were white carnations. A chain
of heavy silver links belted in her
draperies. Something unusually ten
der animated her face. Her eyes
seemed almost humid as she lifted
them when she made her morning sal
utation He was pale and trembling.
and it seemed to him for a moment
that he should be obliged to excuse
himself till he had gained more self
control, but she motioned him to seat
and took up her note book.
Kindly take this dictation from me,
Mr. Moore?" she said. He took up his
pencil mechanically-a her request he
had acquainted himself with the time
saving process of shorthand.
Chicago, Sept. 15," her clear voice
dictated.
"Mr. Herbert Moore-My Very Dear
Sir"
Her secretary locked up apprehen-
sively but she did not return his gaze,
and. he again gave his attention to his
task.l
you may be interested to know thar
|, who count myself your friend and
who surely have right to your SYM
pathy, am strangely unhappy. 1t is
because | feel myself to be beloved by
one of the most manly of men, who,
nevertheless, so far forgets his man
| hood as to let the accident of worldly
possessions stand between him and his
sense of justice. / submit to you the
question: Is it right for him to wear
his heart out in silent bitterness ana
torment and to allow me to experience
an always increasing loneliness Of the
soul, merely because of his pride?
Have not won the right to be treated
with more consideration at his hands?
Kindly answer at your earliest conven-
| fence. Yours always, Edith Vaille."
But though the letter had been so
ably. dictated the answer was incoher-
ent-perhaps even inarticulate.