Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-12-05
Continued.

y
possible, then, that she had been SO
mistaken? But no, it was only pride,
that old ZWeidorf pride, which con
strained the girl to deny her love anu
her bitter disappointment; which con
strained her to stay here so that ne
might come to believe in her in
difference to him, and that it did not
make her at all unhappy to see him
beside his wife The poor, foolish
child had no idea of the abyss on the
brink Of which she was standing, and
it made Aunt Polly's heart bleed to
see the traces of unspeakable anguish
in her face, the great, dark semi
circles under her eyes, and the
quivering lips.
'Hilda," she began again, Il am
willing to believe that you do not
particularly care for him; but if l
were in your place [ would not stay
here, for you must have seen that he
likes you. You do not know the
world. You do not mean any harm
but you have no idea how easy it is
to come between husband and wife
when one is third person III the
house 1t is a very delicate situation,
Hilda-often it is only some trifiin3
thing on which the happiness or
misery Of a whole family depends.
Hilda, you must remember how he
used to look at you. Do not stay
here, come with me; have never
meant anything but good by you, even
though l may sometimes have been
cross. | nave always done my duty
as we'll as l could. If you will only
trust to me little this time!"
you are conjuring up spectres,
aunt" declared Hilda, inexorably. Il
should be silly and ungrateful if
did not stay here
Aunt Polly was silent for a while
and followed her niece with her eyes
as she walked slowly up and down
His young wife looked so pale
Hilda, and as if she had been crying,
she said ut length.
Good Heavens; is that my fault?
cried the girl, stopping in her walk
and C1aSplng nef nandS.
Perhaps; one can never be sure,
Hilda."
But she asked me to stay herself,
so the picture might be finished"
"Ah, child, people sometimes ask
things with their lips, and their hearts
cry out against it all the time"
Hilda covered her ears angrily. Il
know what l am about. aunt. and
shall send off a letter to papa which
will explain yours. Papa knows me
better than you do
Why, Hilda, what do you think OF
me? | did not write, and I am MOI
going to. l only said So last night
because l was angry. Come, child
come with met"
Il shall stay here!" cried the young
girl. angrily. IF I were to go with
you l should be as good as confessing
that I"
That you love him and are going
away because he has deceived you
and because you are far too proud
and too good to"
He has not deceived me. and II
do not love HIM" interrupted Hilda,
violently.
Can a man become Indifferent to
you in a minute, Hilda? Is that
possible? Are you not deceiving
yourself?"
There, that is enough, aunt. ]
shall stay here, and that is all there
is about it. Be SO kind as to pack up
my few things and send them to me
here"
you will get fearfuIly spoiled
here" said Aunt Polly, nodding
gravely. when a girl has once worn
thing like that''-pointing to the
gown Hilda had on-"she doesn't find
her own shabby clothes comfortable
any more. Well, good-by, then, Hilda
| shall write to your father now and
tell him"
THAT you are to blame for my
coming here; only tell him that"
cried the girl, with angry tears.
Eyes, but all the rest of it, too. and
that you would not take the hand that
was stretched out to save you, and
that you shut your ears to my words
of warning. Good-by, Hilda, and look
at his young wife's eyes carefully,
and see that they do not shed tears
on your account
And Aunt Polly hid her sobbing
face in her handkerchief and went
toward the door. But there her anger
and anxiety got the upper hand
again, and she turned back.
DO what you like, then. in
Heavens name! You wouldn't listen
to mel"
The door banged to behind her, aud
red with anger and grief, she de-
seconded the stairs and left the house
without taking leave of it's mistress.
Antje saw her go as she had seen
her come, and a sigh escaped her.
The round little body trotted away 20
hurriedly, as if she and her niece
had parted in anger Hilda would
not be reconciled to her, then; she
was going to stay.
CHAPTER XII.
YES, she was going to stay! But
for the present nothing was seen of
her. She excused herself on the plea
or fatigue when she was asked tc
come to the table, and when Ante
reluctantly went to see her in her
room. she found the young girl lying
on the lounge looking up at the cell
Ing. Her Inquiries for her health
were received with curt thanks
Antie sat beside her in silenca for