Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-10-04


meant by moral force For my aunt
to lock the door is all nonsensei l
could break il open; l could get out al
! the windows, Or by t19 side-door,
| which is not locked; but | feel the NOR
al control; and, because my aunt has
forbidden me, feel that I cannot leave
the house.
So having no other distractions, her
thoughts were constantly of the young
artist. She had not given many min
utes consideration to his personal
appearance before her friendship with
him was tabooed. Now she dwelt on it
constantly. How handsome he was.
Talk Of patrician facesi" said Vio-
let to herself. 4 do not believe there
is peer in the world with more per-
feet and noble features
She remembered the shapely head
and neck, the dark eyes so full of fire
and poetry, the mouth half hidden by
the mustache her aunt detested; and
she wondered that she had not cared
| ~
I near it. She thought Of it in her WAX
ing hours, and she dreamed OF it in her
sleep.
Aunt and niece remained on very
| dignifed terms Miss Atherton, to-
! ward the end Of the evening, suggest
| ed that they should walk on the War
wick road. Violet declined, and No
more was said on the subject
| Il never realized before what was
wanting in my life" said Miss Beaton
to herself. Her mind seemed suddenly
to open to all life's possibilities, to all
the disadvantages Of her position.
! Till now she had been a simple light
hearted girl, enjoying such pleasures
as fell to her lot, knowing Of nothing
better than that which she experienced.
Now she saw there were a thousand
innocent delights OF which she knew
nothing. She began to wonder wheth-
er all her life would be spent in the
pretty lonely cottage by st. Byno's
Would she always live with Aunt Alice,
half amused and half frightened at her?
And then she wondered again how any
break, any change would come, if her
aunt locked the door upon her if ever
she spoke to a stranger.
She busted herself with her sewing,
her beautiful face bent over it,until
Miss Anterior became slightly uncom-
Portable. She was glad the girl took
! Der punishment quietly; but she would
have liked 70 hear her talk and laugh
IN her usual fashion. Miss Anterior
forgot that birds do not sing one-half
so sWeetly in a cage. Violet wondered
whether the young artist would accept
his dismissal quietly. He had seemed
to be so happy with her, and to long so
for her society. Would he go away
and think no more of her?
1t happened that that evening Miss
Atherton had to go to a neighboring
farm on a little matter of business
She did not ask Violet to accompany
her; she thought little punishment
would not be amiss for her niece.
L do not ask you to come with me
to RedhilI Farm, Violet" she said, "as
you have declined 10 accompany me
for a walk. While you repair these
things pointing to a pile of linen
which lay on a side-table-"I should
like you to reflect on your conduct"
There can be no harm in my taking
ny work into the garden" Violet said
to herself when Miss Atherton had de-
parted, ind thither accordingly she
bent her footsteps.
She had not been there many min
utes before a soft ball of Guelder roses
fell at her feet. Looking up to see
whence it came, she was not little
startled and astonished to see the
young artist standing on the other Sue
of the rose-covered hedge She blush
ed and smiled when her eyes met his.
May I come in?" he said. "I want
to speak to you" She shook her head,
mo, indeed. This is Aunt Aice's
garden. She does not admit strangers
young men, especially"
''Will you come to me, then? All,
Miss Beaton, have some compassion:
have been here since the morning,
longing to catch one glimpse of you.
| saw Miss Anterior go over to the
farm, and then l knew my opportunity
had arrived
Have you not been uome?" she
asked, won4eringly.
NO lie answered.
F'You have waited here all this time,
just for the hope of seeing me?"
Eyes" he replied. 81 had made up
my mind that I would not go away
without another glimpse Of you. Il
have been hating myself all day to
think that I stood by quietly and saw
you made prisoner. If it had been a
man But what can do to a Iady?I
1t is your own fault if you remain in
prison, You are not very happy here,
2we you?"
To be continued