Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-01

- - 500
s5,$ !, ere the sun had
sSSs4ss,, - topped the horizon
"a -eW3 the clouds cleared away
a@ Ns{ When ( came into the gar
~ den the light and gladness
LTEA9%S| - of the summer wese on
(f-.! Isl every side. The roses,
shaking off a shower of
diamond drops as | passed, filled the
air with fragrance, and every lesser
denizen Of bed and border added its
share Of sweetness. A blackbird
vas warbIing in lime tree. whilst a
faint music came from the brook which
skirts the green lip Of the lawn.
But my heart failed to respond to
the glad greeting of the summer
morning. [ was at variance with my
self and with all the world. l had
arranged for breakfast at an early
hour SO that l might catch the first
train to town. for I wished to escape at
once from surroundings which had be
come unbearable After an almost
sieepless night I had risen without
looking at my watch. Descending, l
found that | had fOrestalled even the
servants Of the house, SO I wandered
into the garden to pass an hour, rest
Iessly tramping tie smooth paths.
With every step I hurled defiance at
the quiet beauty of the roses and
cursed the blackbird for its soft, sweet
singing
At times I called myself fool for
4O
bitter me- urged upon myself the
necessity for putting aside such mani
fest folly What, I argued, was the
uncertain love of a foolish girl com
pared with the rewards which art and
learning hold out to their devotees?
And yeti argued with myself in
yain-my heart told me that my rea-
soning was faulty.
Dolly and I had been friends ever
since childhood. had come to regard
her, half unconsciously, perhaps, but
really. as my special property. Long
ago l had settled it in my heart that
my life should be devoted to her hap
piness, for | loved her dearly with a
love that had stood the test of years
And fancied-I foolishIy nurtured the
thought-that Dolly was not averse
from me.
And now l had spoken to her
only last night. I told her that at last
! had an assured position, that ]
could speak as a man amongst men.
touched lightly upon the fortune that
| had so lately inherited Finally, /
told her that her parents and my
mother were we'll pleased with our
friendship. And | asked her then
and there to say that she would be nay
wife.
| paced the garden more quickly,
and clinched my fists in anger, as the
memory Of the interview bit its way
into my mind. I cursed my folly for
placing myself in a position where
such rebuff was possible, for Dolly had
laughed in my face. had thrown back
her pretty head, and, regarding me
through half-clOsed eyelids, had
laughed. Then she had said-I re-
called the words with unpleasant dis
unctness:
My dear Jack, you know how gIad
! am to hear of your fortune and sue
cess. But why, o why, am I to be your
wife? | do not see any logical con-
nection between what you have told
me and what you have asked me. And
| have not the faintest idea of promis-
ing any such thing"
Thus she had treated the whole at
fair as huge and entertaining joke.
And well, had left her alone in
the summer house and had gone away
feeling more angry than ever before in
my life
Suddenly. as paced the garden
trying to comprehend what to me as
vet seemed impossible, I came face to
face with the cause of all my dis,
auieting thoughts. She looked
was bound to admit it-as fresh and
sweet as the morning itself. She had
been gathering roses and carried a
basket filled with the fragrant blooms
Without the least sign Of surprise or
embarrassment she advanced to meet
nae.
Since when have you taken to early
rising, Jack?" she inquired with a gay
little laugh. 81 admire your choice of
an occasion for the experiment; the
morning is perfect, is it noto"
IGNORING her question, SAID
Il am off to town almost immediate
E-that is, as soon as | have had
some breakfast"
| tancied that her face grew slightly
graver as he exclaimed:
so soon! Why, l thought you were
at least going to remain over my birth
day. We are such old friends. and he
sides, you know. you promised"
| tried to assume as unconcerned a |
manner as possible
After what took place last night, -
| said, with dignity, 81 should hardly
feel justified in burdening you with my
society for moment longer than is |
absolutely necessary"
Dolly severed the stem of a La
France rose and added the huge pink
blossom to her basket. Then she said
why. Jack. you surely know tbatI
your presence is no burden to me.
Even when-when we were bow and
girl together and you used TOTO null
my hair. was always glad of your
company. You see, was such a