Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-30
Her Second Self.
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0uG coy sitting-room.
-, nigbt for the first time in her
.u,o voors of widoWhood, Mrs. St
c % daid down the widows cap
srbic5 had for so long served to con-
nooI tbe thick auburn braids so arts
1aary cofIpd about the small head.
Ttrbteen years had passed since she
and Leonard Grover had met They
Id bopn lovers in that far-of time:
bnt he was poor then, with no Whls-
nor in the air Of the rich inheritance
e. which he afterward fell heir, just
+oo late for it to bring happiness to
either.
She had married very young. She
uas but IS now. Would Leonard
and her changed, she wondered-he
whose coming she waited here to-
night
simultaneously with the thought
! camA the sound of carriage wheels
and horses hoofs on the graveled
path,
She started to her feet, pressing
,otb hands upon her fast-beating
heart
She was glad-oh, so glad!-that
the room was dark, when she heard
tbe quick firm tread; so glad that
he could not see the quick blush,
which put her matronhood 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 stroye to answer; but her lips
Guiyered, and no words came.
Florence" he then said again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower,
Is it too soon to speak?"
ian hntttec 9ard," she answered, "can
tfly, and she sobbed out her
~pplnesS upon his shoulder.
Let NE see you," he said at last
y have not yet seen the face for
which have hungered all these
years"
He struck light then turned and
lOked at her
MY darling" he said. 1T is still
my beautiful Florence. What have I
done to deserve this hour?"
Mamma, where are your" 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
ef % the daughter-then back again.
Now he could realize the lapse of time
now he could appreciate the
changes years had wrought.
1he daughter was a fair counter
part OF the mothers beauty.
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
IN his breaSt-a dumb warning against
,ue meYitable-an unacknowledged
0eSre to retraCe life's pathway and
conquer time.
meanwhile the girl pouted the full
'eu bps as she thought her mothers
''4ehl strangely absent; and when he
d aSt forced himself into a few
words Of greeting, they fell upon dull.
0nheeding ears.
Then she had gone. The lovers
we're alone again; but he no longer
spened wide his arms, but instead
view chair to her side, that they
"DsI' discuss more nationally.
II.
LOU must teach Maude to love
Nv" she said to him next morning.
want first to reconcile her to nv
Nv. l.1"o marriage before startling her
. I'u us probability. Tell me-do Won
'I'oh her like me?'
1our second self"
An, am so glad! You will love
-sT, then, for my sake.o
g., ~ 'o'e' and to be loved! Der oosv
n nrsA Set by frail woman in her blind
3 b Wv. was MIR. Grover who must
ridos '"Tue companion in her daily
ha. s-Ar Grover who must teach
q,r, % manage the boat-in these first
s',,y spinrg days.
prona ou,'e looked upon her guest as her
" r to,1 She had long ago laughing
8 bao roI {, him how unceremonions had
woo ~ us welcome to her, and he had
Sorns anu Won dissolution.
vato Lls,Imes Florence sighed as she
sIo oryned them together, While she sat
no D1e' but she gave to the s Jgt S No
van ds, and thought the tribute to he
ns Uns day came her awakenirs
'Os and Mr.. Grover had gone for for