Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-08
Repented at Leisure.
BERTHA M. CLAY.

BERTHA M. CLAY.

L cannot explain more IulIy.
He knew that in her own mind she
was saying to herself that she, Ethe
Gordon, would like him, if only out Of
opposition to Helen Digby; yet he was
too wise and too wary to pursue the
subject
My idea is that we cannot control
our likes and dislikes," he added, but
that they are instructive. | see some
persons, and my heart goes out to them
with a warmth of friendliness which
words are weak to express; I see
others, and do not even like them, but
shun them if I can"
| She was looking intently at him
Il am glad you say So" she observed;
my experience is the same. / find
that, if at first I take a dislike to any
one, l seldom overcome it,
He would not let her see how great
was his curiosity about everything con-
nected with her. He was longing to
know why she was there, how it was
that she was associated with Miss
Dlgby, to what family of GordonS she
belonged; but all these things, he said
to himself he must learn by degrees.
He pointed to the pretty harebelI5
growing at her feet
DO you know the legend attached to
these fioWers?" he asked
No; | have not heard it"
1t is said that in the depths Of each
OF these little bells a fairy resides, and
on quiet moonlight nights each little
elf leaves its home, and that together
they will ring their bells with pecu-
liar chime. 1t is said that travellers in
the woods have heard the sweet, faint,
fairy music, and have wondered what
it was"
Her face frightened, and the golden
light deepened in her eyes.
1T is so long since / have heard any
pretty legends she said tell me
some more"
His memory must have been Well
stored with many quaint and graceful
fable. He told her German legends Of
the dark forests, and of the spirits who
live in the grand old trees-of the elf
king who rides on the night-wind. OF
the water-spiritS who dwell in the
streams; he told her many a fair leg
end of Grecian lore, of the daphne and
narcissus, Of the hyacinth and the rose
stories that took her IMAGINATION
captive and charmed the artistic. beau
ty-loving mind. She forgot that he was
a stranger; she sat with clasped hands
looking into his face, drinking in each
word as it fell from his lips
You must be a poet" said the girl
simply; and for moment an express
sion that she could not understand
crossed his face. Was it regret, re-
morse, pity, or d hesitation? She could
not tell, and almost as soon as she had
noticed it, it was gone.
Il am not poet, Miss Gordon. but
admire poetry, and these old legends
have always had a great charm for me.
You judge me 100 fayorably. I am d
man OF the WOrid-not a poet"
She repeated the words after him.
"A man Of the world-that means a
man clever and shrewd in judgment,
quick versatile, and ACCOMPLISHED,
does it not?" she asked.
Viewed favorably-yes. he replied
But there is one thing, Miss Gordon.
which makes every man poet for the
time"
What is that?" she asked.
Love Ter a fair and noble woman.
Love is poetry; it is the one grand
I passion OF a mans life; it refines, soft
ems and makes beautiful the hardest
natures"
What must it do to a poet?" she
asked him, with blush and a smile
that bewildered him.
1t fills his heart so entirely that if
! 0vertiows in song" he anwsered. <Thus
the world is made richer by a poets
love Now, Miss Gordon, have Won for
gotten your letters and your tears?"
1t was like taking her from a fairy
land of golden light, of sweetest
warmth and fragrance, out into utter
darkness and cold. She had forgotten
all her troubles. The glamor of a
sweet dream was over her. The Hgu,
that never ShOre over land or sea was
glowing on her face.
Have you been telling ME all these
beautiful stories to make me forgetq,,
| she asked.
Yes; i wanted to vile you from sad
and sorrowful thoughts; sadness and
and sorrow should never come naar
you. You ought to know nothing but
what is brightest and most beautiful
Now that We are better friends. Miss
Gordon, will you tell me what those
sorrowful thoughts were? Perhaps
can help you some"
4 cannot tell you" she repIied bur-
riedly. u have been so cruelty disap.
pointed in one I love-"
She did not notice that his handsome
face had lost its color-rhat his Inns
, trembIed.
And that some one" he interrupted
WAS
I cannot tell you" she repeated.
DO not be cruel to me, Miss Gordon
Some one you love-was it a lover.
Nay, do not think me curious. As vol
are sweet. womanly beautiful be niti
/ full. Was it a lover?"
: No she replied. with the simplicit,
of child. I have never had a love,
> in my life"
He gave one great sigh of relief. Tn
r til that moment he did not know how
i great the torture of S1,ono,,,-,