Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-17


All, there was the sans strange
light on her beautiful face that l had
remarked before, the same clear un-
earthly radiance in her eyes!
NO." she replied, Il will not let
you go, Kate. If it be really malig-
nant smallpox, it is very contagious,
and generally fatal
A strong arm was thrown around
me; I felt myself drawn close to a
faithful loving heart.
''You are not your own to do what
you like with. You are mine, and 1
forbid you to go"
I chung to Uric, weeping.
''The little child must go to the
little child" sobbed.
you shall not go near it," he said.
"You are mine. There are plenty of
clever trained nurses who can do the
work better than you. l will not let
you risk your life"
We had forgotten the presence Of
others; we had forgotten erything
except each other. An astonished cry
from Lady Culmore reused me.
"Ulric! -Kate!" she exclaimed.
| My lover raised his dark, handsome,
! flushed face.
Il forgot" he said. Il was going to
| tell you this morning. You know
nothing of this. Rudolph, my brother,
Nest"-I noticed, even at that moment,
that he did not say, NEST, my sister"
q love Kate, and she has promised
to be my wife,
The next moment Sir Rudolph had
crossed the room, and, taking me from
| Ulric's arm, kissed me.
"a good and charming wife you will
have, Uric" he said; and then a great
j; sadness came over his face. 1 knew
he was thinking of the time when he
had made choice Of wife.
Lady GILMORE came up to me hur-
riedly.
Kate, half guessed it. l was sure
you loved some one: have seen such
a love-light in your eyes. 1 am very
glad it is Uric, for he will be SO good
to you"
She threw her arms around me, and,
as she kissed me, 1 heard her sigh.
Neither husband nor wife looked at
each other. On Sir Rudolph's face
there was an expression of great re-
lief.
"Your news is good news to me, VI
ric," he said-"very good news. We'll
come, Kate!"-to me. And for the
first time 1 noticed federation in his
eyes when he looked at Lady Culmore
l thanked them for their kindly
greeting, resolving in my heart that I
would be a true and loving sister to
them
"But little Willie," said-"We must
not forget him. You who love me let
me go to nurse him. 1 shall come back
soon; | am not afraid. The little one
will die without care"
"Once and for all, I say MOI" cried
Uric. "You shall not go. I am sorry
for the rector, sorry from my heart for
the child; but 1 cannot sacrifice you
for them. What do you say Ru-
dolph?"
81 say decidedly that she must not
CO." replied Sir Rudolph. 'I will not
hear of it."
| luSu bduy CulIuOr0 CAME TO US.
mo, you must not go, Kate. For
you are love, life, and brightness; for
me- All, well, dear, you would fill
any station far better than should!
will go to nurse the sick child"
She turned to her husband, her face
eagerly expectant She went up to
him with clasped hands. She did not
|
for her.
| Heaven has sent me this chance"
she said. "You see it for yourself. Oh,
let me go! Do not refuse me, Rudolph.
1t is my first prayer to you since
| "Hush!" he said, but not unKindly.
Hush"
Let me go, Rudolph" she cried.
Heaven has sent me this chance; let
me avail myself of it. You know
you know"-and, as she bent her head
near him, heard her say, g "a life for
a life Let me save this one; let me
give mine for it, if needs must be!
Say that I may go, Rudolph"
Still he hesitated, and a look came
into his eyes that l had never seen
there before. He must have loved her
with desperate passion once
you ask me to let you go to GER
tain death. Do you know that?"
Eyes, know; but may save life.
In any case, 1 shall offer mine for it.
And, if 1 die, you will forgive me? All,
do not turn from me, Rudolph, be-
| loved do not be angry with me! You
will forgive me when l lie dying; and
heaven will be good to me and let me
die when 1 am looking on your face
Oh, beloved, l will die a hundred
deaths for one word Of pardon from
you-a hundred deaths!"
| His eyes were full of tears | saw
that he dared not trust himself to
speak.
| Certain death has no fear for me
with the prospect of your forgiveness
and a farewell from you when 1 lie in
the dark shadow. Oh, beloved, what
is nay life but living death? Oh, love,
| if l loved you less, l should suffer
less! May 1 go?"
/ answered promptly, NO." when she
! asked It, he hesitated. Yet from that
moment l knew that he loved her with
his whole soul. What could possibly
loved each other with so great love?
Uric and looked on fascinated. They
forgot us.