Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-29
CHAPTER Ky.
Ethel's Temptation.

depths OF dark blue sky, the night
wind was sweet with the breath OF
odOrous blossoms, the dew thick upon
the grass and the flowers; a great calm
and silence seemed to lie like d bless
ing over the earth; the lime-trees were
family stirred by the night wind, the
leaves rustled and sighed.
Ethel walked quickly and quietly
down to the lime-grove. She found
some little difficulty in leaving the
house unobserved, but she had accom-
plished it; and, with Helen Digby be-
IleVing her safe in her own room, she
was walking with rapid steps to meet
Laurie Nugent
She knew perfectly we'll that she was
not doing right; in the long, sad after
years she never tried to excuse herself;
but there was soRe comfort to her in
the thought that she was deliberately
diSobeying Helen Digby.
If my father could see me now" she
thought to herself, he would say it
would have been better to leave me
alone. If he had trusted me | would
not have done this"
Bitter, cruel, unjust thoughts against
her fathers chosen wife came over her
as she walked in the silence of the
sweet summer night to keep her ap-
polntment There was no seat under
the fragrant lines, and Laurie Nugent.
as soon as he saw Ethel, fastened for
/, !,
My darling" he said, how good of
you to comet l knew that | was ask
ing the greatest possible favor. l
hardly dared to hope that you would
grant it."
mere was no answering light of joy
In her face. She smiled gently, as one
who was simply pleased.
You wanted me particularly, so |
could not refuse to come. But I must
not stay. Tell me quickly what it is
Laurie"
She hesitated before uttering the
name but he had prayed SO hard that
she would use it, that she made the
effort
He kissed her white hands as he
thanke4 her, and then she raised her
eyes t. his face
VIII 1t is it, Laurie? I must not
stay"
10 her great surprise she saw tears
SHINING in his eyes, and the light of
the stars showed that his face was pale
and sotrOwful.
l have so much to say to you, my
darling, that i hardly know how to be-
gin. Ethel, you have read of women
who have held the hearts of men in the
hollow Of their small white hands: in
like manner do you hold mine. You
nave read of women who have held
mems lives in their power; so, dearest.
GO you mold mine. On your Yes or
No. tonight, depends my whole flu
ture; my life, my death. nv sorrow
my Joy, my well or evil doing-aH de-
pend on what you shall say to me to-
night"
She looked anxiously at him: the
starlight, the night wind, the solemn
silence, the holy calm, all tended to
soften her heart. She felt more kindly
disposed to him than she had ever felt
before; such absolute sovereignty over
a tall, strong man was delightful, She
let her white hand linger in his clasp.
and said, gently:
Tell me what you mean Laurie?"
He was silent for a few minutes. and
she guessed rather than knew that
some great struggle was going on in
his mind. Suddenly he did what he
had never dared to do before: he
clasped her in his arms, and kissed her
beautiful face.
My darling" he said, gently. IF |
could but take you away; if we conld
only leave this cold 'uel world behind
us; if we could go w.,ere there are no
troubles, no sorrows, where the sun is
always bright and the world ALWAYS
fart"
She shrank from him, and the idea
struck her that, although she was in
love with him. she would not care
about going away with him. Then
Laurie recovered himself, and Ethel re-
preached herself that she was not
kinder to him.
My darling. Ethel he said, Il am
going to put your love to the test. You
are a genrous, noble girl; You have
heroism and courage for anything that
you care to do. l want you to display
that heroism for me. want TO mt
your love to the test VIII it bear it.
do you Think"
Yes" she replied, proudly: ANY
test that you can offer can bear"
That is spoken like yourself: Won
are Drawer than other women. Ethel.
| just as you are more beautiful. How
many girls in your place would have
meekly yielded to Miss Digby-would
have submitted to her in everything?
But you have held your own against
her. What l have to ask you tonight
would dismay and brighten a woman
OF Miss Digby's class"
He had studied Ethel so we'll he
knew how to practice on every weak
ness: he could play upon her feelings
| her virtues, her faults, as a clever mn
stefan upon harp. He knew that sbe
would do and dare more from a spirit
of opposition to Miss Digby than from
| love for himself.
Ethel" he continued, give me 9
patient hearing. j find that I am
| obliged to leave here suddenly; I ought
to go tomorrow; and, oh, my love. il
breaks my heart to leave you. I cannot