Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-05-05


sunlight which was dawning upon his
horizon. 1t was a dark rainy night, to-
ward the asst of April that | sat with
the family in the pleasant little sitting
room. As usual Mr. Delafeld was with
US, and this evening he was reading
aloud from I.ongfeli0w's wonderful poem.
He was just in the midst of Hiawatha's
woeing when Il heavy tread upon the
piazza and a leud ringing Of the bell
startled us, for it was not often that we
were favored with visitors on such a
night as this. Zillah, the colored girl.
FASTENED to the door, where she found d
stranger, who, stepping into the hall. ask
ed If Miss Rosa Lee lived there.
Starting from my chair, turned very
white, for | recognized the voice OF Dr.
Clayton, who the next moment stood be-
fore me. ] forgot the past-forgot that
he had been my lover, forgot that aich-
ard Delaheld's eyes were upon me. forgot
everything except that he had come from
dear New England, had breathed the air
OF my native hills, had heard the sound
of my mothers voice. and had brought
me undoubtedly tidings of that mother
welfare. Springing forward with a cry
of joy, | took his extended hand, nor
shrunk away when, with unwonted ten
derness. he stopped to kiss my lips, whis-
pering low as he did SO. Dear Rosa"
Then, indeed. | blushed, for ! knew
he had no right to call me thus; but the
next moment it was forgotten. and with
something of pride in my banner, pre-
scented him to Mrs. Lansing and Mr..
Delaie!d, the latter of whom greeted him
rather coldy, and after a few words OF
common courtesy, babe us goodnight, but
not until he had learned what until that
moment was news to me, viz, that Dell
Clayton had been dead nearly six months.
AS he passed me on his way out. he said
So low that no one else could hear him.
Fare thee well, oh, Laughing Water"
referring to the line he had last read.
There was a deep scowl upon his dark
face, and as l gazed upon him, | could
not help wondering if it were thus the
old man looked when from his lonely
wigwam door he watched the departing
footsteps of his daughter.
Come again tomorrow, Uncle Dies"
said little Jessie, following him into the
hall; but he made her no answer save
his accustomed goodbye kiss. and | soon
heard his heavy tread as he strobe down
the winding walk and out into the open
field.
Yes, Mr.. Delafied was jealous, terri
bly, jealous of DIR. Clayton, the nature
of whose business lie readily diviaed,
though | did not, and nothing was furth-
er from my mind than the thought that
he intended honoring me with chance
of becoming Mrs. Clayton second. And
yet it was this alone which had brought
him to Georgia, he taking the precausion
%, Ia, IoFt -
he had made known his wishes, and ask
ed for return of the affection which,
for five long years, he said, had never
known one moment OF abatement, even
though another had slept upon his bosom
as his wife. But she was gone, and in
her place, he would see blooming, he
said, the Rosa he had loved so long. Ow-
ing to some detention this letter had
failed to reach me- hence | was wholly
unprepared Tor the scene which follow
ed when at last we were left alone.
was talking to him of Anna, and from
speaking of her and poor Herbert's
death. it was an easy transition to Dell,
of whom he spoke kindly, nay, even af-
feetionately, as he told me of her last
days; how much she suffered. and how
gentle she became never Gliding him in
but fseeming satisfied with everything,
and loving him at last with a love which,
had it been earlier born, would have shed
happiness over his comparatively cheer
less life. Then he told me of the little
child, not yet three years old. whom he
had called Rosa Lee" and gently push
Ing back my curls, and gazing down mo
my face, he said 1T is a fancy of mine,
perhaps, but l love to think she looks
like you. who should have been her
mother"
With all my stupidity, | understood
him then, and blushing crimson, l moved
away to the end of the sofa. while he
continued. What did you think of my
letter? You received it. l suppose 2"
| had received no letter, and so | said;
whereupon he proceeded to tell ME its
contents. n part of which the reader al
ready knows. Utterly COMPOUNDED and
powerless to move, | sat motionless,
while with his arm round me. he went
over the past, recalling to my mind the
time when first he had found me weeping
in the somber old school room. away TO
the northward; the night when. with the
soft moonbeams falling around us. we sat
together beneath the tall oak tree. while
i laid before him my childish griefs: and.
lastly, the many pleasant hours we had
whiled away together. listening to the
sound of the running brook, which ran
past the twining grape vine, whose broad
leaves had rustled above our heads.
ION these occasions. Rosa" said he.
did nothing ever tell you how much you
were beloved:"
Yes" | answered. bitterly. my wom-
ans nature rousing up as remembered
the times to which he referred. Yes.
aud what did il avail me, even though
| was belovcd2 Ambition proved the
stronger attraction of the two. and you
welded another. You. who. now that
other was gone, would talk again TO me
of love; but Rosa Lee is no longer a
child 10 be deceived and you mistake her
strangely if YOU fancy you can east her
OF and take her UP again at viii"
And then again he told me how much
/ had been loved; how he had striven iii
vain TO cast me from his heart, when II
was madness and sin TO keep ne there:
and how. when his horizon had been
darkest with want and care. there was
still in the distance a ray of sunlight.
the remembrance of me. which had kept
his soul from fainting. And now that il
was right for him to speak TO me Of love.
would / not listen and give him an OPP
portunity 70 atone for the wrong he had
once done mel
xviii not my darling answer meT' he
said. and l felt his breath upon my
check. his lips upon my brow.
Not thus conld l sit and tell him what
duty bid me say. So l moved away. end
standing up before him. | said. slowly
and distinctly. DIR. Clayton. l loved yen
once. but the time has gone by. the love
has died out, and | would not awaken il
e eouid."
There was irmness in my manner.
a decision in the tones Of my voice,
which startled him more than what
said. And then. with the irelighr dick
ering over his pale face. he pleaded viva
ne ITO think again. 70 revoke what !
had said. and not send him away utterly
hooeless and wretched. The love had