Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-08-15

great city with it's thousands of gas
lights. The tall antique clock in the
room swung its pendulum untiringly,
and marked off quarter after quarter.
Ante knew she would have to stand
here long time waiting this evening,
for the last train did not get in until
nearly twelve, and he would not come
before. She knew very we'll the sort
Of meetings Leo was accustomed to
attend and how long they lasted.
1t had grown windy outside. Antje
wondered if he had ordered the car
riage to be sent to the station. And
that carried her thoughts back to
letter she had received from her
mother that day. She took it out Of
the key-ba~ket that she had set down
on the window-seat in front of her
She did not need to read it, for she
knew every word of it by heart. At
first came hearty good wishes for the
anniversary Of her wedding-day, with
a hope that it might be with the
mother, who had loved her husband
better every year, and had felt more
and more how great a support and
comfort he was to her. Then she
recalled Antics wedding-day, the
pastors sermon, the whimsical toast
of the Bergrath, the torch-light pro-
cession Of the workmen. Antje
could almost see her mothers smile
as she said: "Daughterje, when l was
married it was merrier. We had
music and dancing, and I had to waltz
with all the guests, and they were not
few. But, to be sure. wedding-jour
neys were unknown among us
then
Finally, there was postscript:
"You know, Antje, that l never like
to NEEDLE in your affairs, but l think
I ought to tell you that l think your
income will not admit of your setting
up another carriage. You could both
very well drive out in the same car
riage, and when Leo needs it for him
self you are reasonable enough to
content yourself with walk on such
days. Do not be offended; l mean it
only for your good
Antics heart was very heavy. She
thought the same, but Leo wished it,
and she would not for all the world
have said, as some women do who
have brought a fortune to their hus-
bands: "Be more economical with my
money" What was hers was his,
and he was the master.
What would her father have said to
this luxury? she thought to herself;
and when she recalled his grave,
honest face she could not help feeling
ashamed of the man who flung away
this hard-earned gold in all manner of
foolish eXtravagances. But Leo was
an artist, different from other people.
and she loved his light, careless
laugh, loved his delight in beautiful
things, his shining eyes. She did not
grudge him anything-if he were only
contented.
All at once she started up. There
were steps on the ground outside,
steps that she knew very well. All
the blood rushed to her heart. She
stood in the middle of the room. pale
and trembling with joy.
'Leo!" she said softly, and her
eyes were fixed on the man who
entered hastily his forehead moist as
if from walking quickly, his hat in
one hand and in the other a bunch
of violets, such a bouquet as one buys
in a shop-poor, dropping things
which would SO gladly hang down
their heads if the wires would only
suffer it.
Ante did not see the half-embar-
raised, half-vexed expression in her
husbands eyes, nor the faded con-
dition of the flowers. She only felt
that he had come back, that he had
brought her some violets, that, after
all, he had not quite forgotten the
day.
To be Continued.