Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-19

kTlI OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ElGTgISIgI@IGIElg[E[l@

wish you would let me call you Ethel
Miss St. Norman seems so formal and
ceremonious between friends. May
say 'Ethel?'"
Yes" she said, shyly, 81 it pleases
you"
HE is my friend" she said to her
self; "he may surely call me by my
Christian name"
1T pleases me very much" he con-
fessed. "AIl the music Of the world is
comprised in that one word Ethel
He drew nearer to her, and took the
little white hands in his warm grasp.
''Ah, Ethel-sweet Ethel-can you
not guess what has brought me here?
I could live no longer without looking
at your face, my beautiful love! Ny
heart was hungry for one sound Of
your voice; for I love you'll love you
as surely no man ever loved before!"
His voice seemed to die on his lips;
he found words weak to express the
depth of his great passion.
Il loved you, Ethel, the moment
that 1 saw you; but you were so beau
tiful, proud, you seemed far above me-
thought l had won the highest gift
earth had to offer when you promised
to be my friend. That did not suffice
for long. l have learned to love you,
Esnel, with so great an affection, so
entire a devotion, that I can no longer
live without winning some love from
you in return"
He looked in her face; a beautiful
tender light shOne over it-so beautiful
that his love conquered him. He bent
hand with his lips. Even that did not
startle her. She had been so unhappy
for so long that, in this great and
glorious joy, she for a few moments
forgot all else.
She meant no wrCng-she did no
wrong; only for time, for few fleet
ing moments, heart and soul were
STEPPED in trance of delight which
was soon to be changed into a reality
of sharpest pain.
Il love you so dearly, Ethel" he
continued, land l am come to lay my
life and my love at your feet"
She made no answer; not yet had she
reused herself to the terrible reality.
He drew the sweet face nearer to him.
you are so beautiful, my love-" he
said, looking at her with shining eyes;
mo flower that blooms is one-half so
fair. You are the loveliest, the
noblest of women. All! Ethel, sweet
Ethel, say you love me. Only one
Word-you love me!'
She was not aroused yet; the golden
light had driven the dark shadow
away. He drew her beautiful head
nearer, until it rested on his breast.
Say you love me, Ethel" he pur-
sued, "and shall be prouder than any
emperor"
If she could have died so, poor, hap
less child, before the keen smart of
pain brought her back to the stern
reality of her marred and blighted life!
Ethel" he resumed, "do not think
that | am bOasting, but you are my
first love, as you will be my last. I
have never sought smiles from fair
Woman's face; l never thought of love
until [ saw you; l have never INDUCED
in what the world calls Irritation; you
are the mistress Of my heart and soul,
and they-oh, believe me, SWEET
have known no other love save yours"
She did believe him, and in that mo-
ment she knew how dearly she loved
him. 1t was like a revelation to her.
Suddenly her life seemed to grow
complete. 1t was love, not friendship;
the glorious dover of womanhood was
hers at last-the dover at once so
full of greatest joy and greatest pain.
1t was hers, the magic of love. She
had thought Of it, dreamed of it, Won
dered over it, and now it was her very
own. She had defied it, yet it had
gladdened her heart all unknown to
herself. 1t was love that had made
all the world seem so fair-that had
changed the color of the flowers and
had deepened the light of the sun; it
was love that had made her so light of
heart, so fair of face.
He was watching her while these
thoughts passed through her mind;
there was dainty flush on the delicate
cheeks, the sensitive lips were parted
with bright, happy smile.
She had forgotten, poor child, and
she was so unutterably happy in her
forgetfulness; there was such con-
tentment in his love; the warm clasp
OF his strong hand was full of safety
and protection; that great, noble heart
Of his was a haven of sure rest. She
was unutterably happy; and he, look
ing at her, had no fear.
Il could not stay away an hour
longer. Ethel he said. Il was afraid
to risk all, lest I should lose all; but
YOU will rot be cruel to me-you will
not send me from you? You love me
you will love me, Ethel?"
She said something-a few gentle
words that were full of music. He
could not hear them, but he was con-
tent.
And l." he said-'I will love you
forever, my beautiful queen!"
How cruel it was! How the words
stabbed her with sharpest pain So
hard, so bitter was the pain, that a
cry she never forgot came from her
lips.
My beautiful queen!" Who had
said those words to her before?
The lake, the cedar, the noble face
Of her lover disappeared. She was
standing in the dewy freshness of