Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-10-11

it; but she could not let him go with
out one word; he had been so pleasant
and kind to her. The girls heart re-
belled against her aunt. Why had she
not asked the young artist in, and
allowed them to spend an hour or two
together? Then he would have said
gOod-by, and would have gone out Of
their lives probably forever. Now she
was going to DO that which she would
rather not have done.
GO to your room at once" Miss
Anterior had said, when the usual
family devotions were over. you
will not want a candle. It is quite
light enough. Goodnight
And then Miss Anterior had retired
to rest, happily unconscious of her
niece's meditated plans.
Meanwhile a handsome, ardent
young lover moved softly through the
deep shadows Of st. Byno's wood,
looking with anxious eyes that pierced
them at the picturesque cottage. He
went slowly down to the riverside.
crossed the corner of the wood, passed
the little gate where the white acacias
grew, down by the rOse-cOvered hedge,
and then he stood still. Never had
his heart beaten so before. There
was no stir in the cottage; the white
blinds were down. Would she come?
The Ryverses were not famous for
patience; but the young lord had
never been in such fever of suspense
before. Would she come? All, there
was a stir, something surely was NOV
ing over the long grass that shook the
white clover, and sent the acacia
leaves f1uttering to the ground. But
it was only the summer night breeze.
Would she never come? A little bird
in the far distance twittered. He
heard the deep baying of a hound
across the river
ooh, my love, my darling" he cried,
eff you would but GOMEZ"
And just then the pale beautiful face
of the young girl looked anxiousIy |
down through the shadows. She |
could not see him, and she did not
know if he was there. Just as he had
pictured her, she came out in her long
blue dress; over her head she had
thrown a black lace veil. It was dark
CT than she thought it would be. She !
stopped for ore moment under the !
chestnut trees to reconnoiter before
she passed on to the place Of redez-
vous. IN another minute they were !
face to face, the handsome
young lover and the fair-haired beau
tiful girl
How good of you to GOMEZ" he said.
II hardly dared hope you would do so. p /
81 ought not to have come" she said. |
do not praise me for doing what |
know to be wrong; but you have been |
so kind to me, and have enjoyed your |
intimacy SO much, did not like to
think 1 should not see you again.
He was looking at the hedge.
Il am standing" he said "outside |
the gates of Paradise. Will you open
them for me?"
Il cannot" she answered.
'EYou can if you will. Tell ne that
may leap over this hedge"
Il ought not to do so" she said.
Il cannot see you here, and I want
to see your face again. he urged.
She was silent for few moments.
Then she thought to herself that, as
he was there, he might just as we'll be
on one side of the hedge as the other.
"You may come" she said softly. |
But mind you do not fall"
Il could clear a hedge twice as for
midable as that" he replied, with a |
laugh; and the next moment he was
standing by her side.
How strange and agile you are."
She said to him with a smile, looking |
admiringly at him, as women do look
at brave, manly men.
Show me anything that I would not
do to have the happiness Of standing
by your side for one minute. You
said something to me about good-by. /
Do you think [ could leave your" His
voice trembled with passion.
Il have never thought about it," she
said. 81 suppose you will go when
your picture is finished?"
q am quite sure shall not. l do
not care whether the picture is finish
ed or not. l care for nothing-do you
not see I care for nothing in this
wide world but you"
But me- she repeated, wonderfngIy
but me?'
Eyes you. You can send me away
from you if you will; but think; for
the mercy Of Heaven, think before
you do it. love you and I cannot
leave you. I love you and I would
rather lie dead here at your feet than
leave you. Do you understand, my
beautiful, fair-haired darling. Is iii
madness to say I love you? Then II
am Of all men the most mad"
You love me?' she repeated, grave
~. ''Why, you have only seen me
three or four times!'
To be continued.