Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-10-11


Tonight, for the first time in her
Two years of widOwhOod, Mrs. ST.
George daid down the widows cap
which had for so long served to con
ceal the thick auburn braids so arts
tically coiled about the small head.
Eighteen years had passed since she
and Leonard Grover had met. They
had been lovers in that far-of lime;
but he was poor then, with no whis-
per N the air of the rich inheritance
10 which he afterward fell heir, lust
too late for it to bring happiness 10
either.
She had married very young She
was but 80 now. Would Leonard
find her changed, she wondered-he
whose coming she waited here to-
night
simultaneously with the thought
came the sound of carriage wheels
and horses hOofs on the graveled
path.
She started to her feet, pressing
Both hands upon her fast-beating
heart
She was glad--oh, so glad.-that
the room was dark, when she heard
the quick, firm tread; so glad that
he could not see the quick blush,
which put her matronheod to shame.
when the door was thrown hastily
open, and three or four swift strides
brought him to her side.
"Florence!"
Oh, how his voice thrilled her
half with pleasure, half with pain!
Are you glad to see me?" he ques-
toned.
She strove to answer; but her lips
quivered, and no words came.
Florence" he then said again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower,
is it too soon to speak?"
"Oh, Leonard" she answered, "can
/ yet atoueT'
And then the bridge of years was
swept away, and she sobbed out her
happiness upon his shoulder.
Let me see YOU" he said at last.
Il have not yet seen the face for
which 1 have hungered all these
years"
He struck a light, then turned and
Ioked at her.
MY darllngr he said at is still
my beautiful Florence. What have 1
done to deserve this hour?''
Mamma. where are you?" called
out a fresh, girlish voice at this in
slant.
The next moment a girl of scarcely
seventeen summers sprang into the
room.
This is my daughter, Leonard-my
only child. Maude, let me present
YOU to one of your mothers Oldest
friends"
The gentleman indicated looked
from one to the other-from the moth
er to the daughter-then back again.
Now he could realize the lapse of time
now he could appreciate the
changes years had wrought.
The daughter was a fair counter
part of the mothers beauty.
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
in his breast-a dumb warning against
desire to retrace life's pathway and
conquer time.
Meanwhile the girl pouted the full
red lips. as she thought her mothers
friend strangely absent; and when he
at last forced himself into few
words of greeting. they fell upon dull,
unheeding ears.
were alone again; but he no longer
opened wide his arms. but instead
drew a chair to her side, that they
might discuss more nationally
You must teach Maude to love
YOU" she said to him next morning.
Il want first to reconcile her to my
second marriage before startling her
with its probability. Tell pe--do you
think her like me-"
Your second self
"Ah. l am so glad, You will love
her. then, for my sake."
To love, and to be loved. Ger easy
task set by frail woman in her blind
ness. 1t was Mr.. Grover who must
be Maude's companion in her daily
rides-Mr. Grover who must teach
her to manage the boat-in these first
early spinrg days.
Maude looked upon her guest as hel
property. She had long ago laughing
ly told him how unceremonious had
been his welcome to her, and he ha6
vS-ooad and won ahSolutiOn
Sometimes Florence sighed as SHE
watched them together. while she sa'
alone; but she gave 10 the sigh NJ
name. and thought the tribute to b,
vanished years.
One day came her awakening
Maude and Mr.. Grover had gone fol
their afternoon ride, but it had ex
tended bevend its won't and she ha(
grown anxious and ventured forth Il
meet thc.:.>, striking into the fores
path which was their favorite way.
A half-mile from her home she me
AIaudes horse. riderless. Pale witt
terror. she FASTENED on. when sudden
" she stopped, rooted to the spot
Almost at her feet knelt the maj
her heart had loved always. and in hi
arms he held Maude'S unconsciou
form.
my love. my life' he said. eacl
word being borne distinctly TO hel
Speak to me onee-just once, Oh
Maude, are you hurt? My darling! m
darlingl Would that l might hay
given my life for yours
Then he stopped and pressed hi
lips to hers. A long. huttering sig
escaper them.
Leonardo she whispered! "LeoT
ardr'
II am here, dear" he said.
And then he laid her down out c
his arms. as though. with returnin
life, he remembered the duty it brough
with it.