Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-29

self, but then I knew that I cared for
you and you only, and since then
every ming has been like a gloriously
happy dream"
my dearest" Nigel broke in pas
sionately, Il am not worth it, and
when l told you"
Hush" she said, putting three soft
fingers on his lips, ''you must not
interrupt. l want to tell you that
loving you has shown me what a
fiend l have been to other men, but,
Nigel, ever since l have known you
1 have never liked my old heartless
sort of life and l have hated myself
because l ever did. Somehow, when
one is alone in the world and has
never learned what love really means,
nothing seems to matter. Now it is
all so different
81 never knew what joys and won
ders this queer old world held until
l met you, little girl said the man
tenderly. you are so different to
every one else and so wonderfully
full of sympathy How CHASTITY life
would be without you. Did you ever
think it odd of me never to have
asked you to fix a date for our mar
riage until just lately?"
"Of course not" she answered. q
trust you and we have been so happy
all the time. Now you must not be
angry, but I was talking to you about
my old life. That letter l was an
swering was from a man l used to
know. He is a theatrical manager
now and has offered me leading parts
in everything he produces for the
next three years, but l would have to
marry him to get them"
'Of course, it is that brute, Skip
toni" exclaimed Nigel, furiously.
what did you say?"
90, need you ask?" answered
Stella, a little YEARLY. THAT it was
impossible; l know you do not like
my sticking to my profession, but
have always spent every penny |
earned and l must have something to
live on, so 1 am bound to work"
81 wish | were rich, little woman
said the man, earnestly; ''but l am
not and 1 am not good enough for
YOU" She regarded him steaully
He was good looking and fair, with
blue eyes and a pleasant honest
, smile; and as she looked Stella
! thought herself a lucky woman to
| possess his love. She smiled con-
tentedly, rose from her lowly posi-
ton, and, putting her head close to
his, whispered, II like you as you are,
! dear; we could not help being happy
together whatever outside circum-
stances may do"
Thank you," he said; you are
good to me; but, dearest, you look
tired; 1 shall go now. Good night.
May come tomorrow"
Eyes, please, at II o'clock" she an
swered. Il am tired tonight" ard SO
he went
He walked through the same
streets in which they had been before
dinner, thinking all the while of the
woman he had left and wishing he
| had possessed sufficient courage to
| tell her that until few weeks ago he
had not been free. ''She would hate
me for having made love to her while
my vile was still alive, he told him
self mournfully; 81 cannot tell her
that at the beginning of our friend
| ship it all meant nothing to me; she
would never understand that though
| fiirted with her at first l love her SO
dearly now that every moment spent
away from her is torture to me-
Stella meanwhile was still sitting
by the fire, too tired to make the
necessary effort to go to bed. She
seemed lost in pleasant reverie, for
there was happy little smile play
ing round her mouth and the beaut1-
full face looked absolutely free from
care or worry. Her meditations were
disturbed by the entrance of the
waiter with the evening papers and a
letter. Stella opened the letter
ianguidly. 1t was in strange hand
and ran as follows:
Dear Old Girl: They say l can't
live much longer. Got smashed up
trying a young horse last week.
don't like to sunff out without giving
you warning and making a confes-
S1Uu. "uSu w dlIdCt uISI came NOME
he saw your photo and asked who you
were. l told him and added that you
had no heart and would never care
for any one, and you know, old girl,
you never gave any of us much rea-
son to suppose that you ever did any
thing but f1irt and amuse yourself.
But he said he did not believe me
and laid me a monkey that he would
make you care for him and acknowl-
edge it yourself in three months. l
was cad enough to accept his bet and
so l feel l ought to tell you that he
is only playing with you. Indeed,
until a few weeks ago his wife,
from whom he had been separated for
four years, was alive; then she died
of fever in Cairo. l wish 1 had never
taken his bet I have put the money
part right, as 1 ougn. not to have
warned you. Try and forgive me.
Burton is writing for me, for l am not
able to move. Yours, Reggie
Stella SaZed blankly at the letter