Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-28


of the moment, and it was not long
ere he was escorting her away from
the throng of merry dancers into COM
parative solitude.
This is quite like old times" Yer
onica said, as they entered the cool
conservatory and sat down.
Not quite returned Maitland,
have changed considerably since we
last met"
This was discordant note, and
Veronica did not feel at'her ease.
I'm so glad you came tonight,
Dudley" she said, as though involun-
tarily breathing her thoughts aloud.
Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
| 1y, but she failed to notice that danger
signal.
'Why?" he asked, somewhat
! brusque1y.
How strangely you speak," she re-
turned, nervously, "but do you really
care to know?"
! Naturally, 1 am interested"
! Veronica toyed with the petals of
rosebud, and her eyes were cast upon
the ground.
Because l have wanted to see you
to speak to you, to tell you how bit
terly sorry | am for my cruel words.
l think I must have been madI' she
said softly. 81 came back to the
drawing room," she went on in the
same tone, while her eyes remained
still downcast, "but you had gone, and
| have never known a happy moment
since!"
Now, had Veronica's conscience per-
mitted her to look into the eyes of
the man at her side, with those won
derful liquid orbs of hers, it is posi-
bic that the fascination of her gaze
might have blinded him to the false
ring of her words, but, as it was, he
felt neither pleased nor fattered.
II am sorry if you have been un-
happy he returned, lightly, "but in
these rapid times it does not do to
grieve over the dark and empty past -
''Not dark, nor empty" she said
with mock tenderness and well affect
ed concern; ''but tell me, Dudley
have you forgotten all the past?"
GAIL" he repeated, suavely. 81
suppose you mean the days when the
smiles were for others and the frowns
for me. Bah! What a mad headed
fool I must have been! But you
taught me a lesson, Veronica, and il
was well laid to heart
do not speak Of it." she exclaimed
brokenly; 81 have told you. Can you
still be so unforgiving?
There is nothing to forgive" he re
piled; "you certainly seemed to prefer
any society to mine in the old days
of which you speak, and I could never
bear you malice on that score!"
But, Dudley" she said, so softly
that her words were scarcely per
ceptible, 81 have suffered so, truly
have seen the error of my ways, the
magnitude of my terrible cruelty tt
you! Come, say you forgive me, ant
let us be friends again.
mo-" he returned, firmly, ever
fiercely, that can never be, Veronica
You must not forget that even the
most beautiful and accomplished
woman has no right to play with {
mans heart as if it were worthless
toy to be taken up or cast down al
pleasure. And may I ask you to ex
: cuse me now? I have an important
engagement to attend to. Allow me.
And pale and trembling in every limt
Veronica once more entered the ball
room.
i,
Violet had watched the severa
vehicles drive away with eager and
fearful eyes. How she longed to be
among the merry throng! Finally
she resolved to drown her heart ache
in the pages of a novel.
But she could not fix her mind, try
as she would; so towards midnight
she again took up her stand by the
window and looked out into the dark
and starless night. Presently she
turned, for she fancied she heard 2
football.
why, Dudley" she almost
shrieked, you here! Whatever brings
you at this hour when you ought to be
doing duty to the people in general?'
Il wanted you he replied tenderly,
"and you are more to me than all the
people in the world"
But look at me-" she said, shyly;
Il do believe 1 am disfgured for life!
Do you not think so?''
And for an answer she was clasped
in warm embrace, and. kisses were
showered upon her. And later, when
Maitland left her, there was a new
and even softer expression in her
eyes, brighter and more winsome
expression about her mouth. Her
heart was happy, and she went up the
old oaken staircase humming the air
of an old love song.
Have you enjoyed yourself, Yer
onica, dear?' exclaimed a voice, and
a curly head appeared above the bed
! clothes.
l. Veronica was silent for a time, her
heart beat too fast
There was no one in particular
that l wished to see," she replied,
finally. Dudley Maitland was there,
but he was infinitely disagreeable, and
eventually made himself conspicuous
by his absence"
Violet's face became dyed with
bushes.
Veronica she half whispered. ''he
came here. He asked me to marry
! him, and
asked you to marry him. repeat
| ed her cousin increduIousIv. "T sun