Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-23
faint, wondering smile.

faint, wondering smile.
You are come to me in all your
bravery Of jewels and dress, my
queen he said. My beautiful queen.
l only deserve that you should haze
me, yet you let me hold your hands in
mine"
Il do not hate you" she corrected.
gently.
Thank Heaven for that. I an
dying, Ethel-my short. ungracioGs
life is nearly ended. My sins and
follies are all over Al. my queen
listen to me for a few moments!
Bend your beautiful face l0wer-so;
cannot speak clearly. Ethel, listen.
l was not always bad. I began life
with all good intentions, all great.
grand, and generous hopes. I was
young, happy, gallant, gay. Oh, for
my lost youth. my lost Efe,"
He broke out into a low. feeble wall
ing most pitiable to hear.
My lost life-oh, Ethel, if I might
but live it over again--if 7 might bu!
have the time to redeem it! Believe
me, dear, wretched outcast though I
am now, was young, rich, and happy
once. Once l was worthy Of your love;
now l am deserving Of your hate"
She bent uer beautiful lace over is.
and whispered to him that Heaven was
merciful. Her tears fell warm and fast
upon his face.
Il wish he said family, that l
could speak with a voice that all the
world might hear-that I might make
my fatal story warming"
Then ne murmured some words
which she could not distinguish.
ETHEL" he cried, in loud, clear
voice, II am standing on the brink of a
deep, dark river; it is rolling swiftly
on. White faces look at me from the
waters as they pass by, and the river is
rising; the dark waters will cover me
soon. Hark, how the waters rush."
She told him it was only the sound OF
the wind among the trees-the great.
tall trees in the wood. He wandered
again:
The wood-the little gate by the
wood, and Ethel, his wife, standing
there with the passion-fowers in her
hand. Ethel, my wife, standing where
the changing light from the stained
glass window falls on her, and one
CLEAN is blood-red Ethel, Ethel, my
fair young wife!"
She laid her hand on his brow, and
whispered gentle words to soOthe him
ct is rushing on, Ethel-the dark.
silent river; it will take me away.
Tell me you forgive me-"
He held her hand tightly; he looked
in her face with an appealing express
ion she never forgot.
"Of all the wrong I have DONE" he
said, 1.-The cruelest was to you. 1t was
the most selfish and cruel deed any
man could have DONE to cloud that
sweet young life Of yours. Ethel,
remember when your face was all sun
shine, and your beautiful lips all
smiles. | remember when your voice
was all music; and when | saw you
again, my queen, so terribly changed.
Il,
if the rush of that dark water would
but stop; it browns my voice, and it
browns yours. Ethel, say you forgive
me; utter my name once more-I have
not heard it for years.
Laurie, I forgive you" she said
gently; Il forgive you the wrong you
did me, and your cruel deceit. I for
give you, as l pray Heaven to pardon
me for my folly and pride. From the
very depth Of my heart l say, Heaven
have mercy on you'll" and then she
stopped, for he was weeping like
child
Ethel" he begged, when I am
dead, remember how 7 loved you. You
have been the one star Of my life. Try
to forget how wicked and worthless
was; only remember my great, deep,
passionate love. Say to yourself:
Poor Laurie-poor, faulty. erring
Laurie-how he loved mel There it
long life before you, my queen, and the
grass will soon be growing green over
my grave. Let my love plead for me;
think what l suffered on my wedding
udy, wien tu6y IOOh me away.
Ethel, grant me one favor. You see
that small box"
He pointed, as he spoke, to a small,
plain deal box, securely fastened with
lock and key
81 never thought to ule near you"
he continued. 81 never hoped to die
with your hands in mine Ethel, l am
powerless to move-will you take the
key that hangs round my neck and IN
lock that box?"
She removed silken string from
his neck, and with the key attached
to it unlocked the box.
It held nothing but a few faded
f1owers-so withered, SO faded. she did
not recognize them. She carried them
to him. and wondered at his wild weep
ing when he saw them.
To be Continued
THE ARCH OF CHINESE ORIGIN.