Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-01-21
CHAPTER VI

Maude, as she has already explained,
has been having a hard time of it at
Glinn these last two or three days. Life
has been all so easy to her so far. that
she hardly realizes the facing of this,
her first genuine trouble. She is await
ing the post anXiously this morning; Gren
Is certain to write to her by return, and
her belief in Gren is unbounded
Once more the icy breakfast table she
so breads. Her father looks at her as
culprit who would subvert the old Gre
clan story. and sacrifice her parent in
stead of presenting her throat to the
knife. Mrs. Denison evidently looks upon
her as a sainted martyr. She loves and
sympathizcs with her daughter: she ap-
proves of her spirited refusal, but she
cannot desert her old idols. THE king
can do no wrong" Harold Denison's
opinion must be hers outwardly, though
in her heart of hearts she mas rebuke
herself for not being on her daughters
side
"A letter from Granville for YOU.
Maude," said her father, as he threw it
across. She and her cousin were regu-
lar correspondents. so that it excited no
girl, instead of tearing it open as was her
wont, slipped it quietly into the pocket
of her dress. Maude fc.t as if she pos
seSsed talisman against her troubles.
and determined to read it in the solitude
of her own chamber, and there she betook
herself as soon as breakfast was over.
Her cheek flushed as she peruscd it, and
the large grey eyes opened wide with
astonishmcnt. Grenviile's tale of passion
ate love would have moved most girls,
albeit he has not as yet in these pages
figured to any great advantage-still
Grenville Rose had Shewd enough head
upon his shoulders, and was a comelv
man to look upon, to boot. He told his
love well, and few maidens, even if they
do not reciprocate it. can listen unmoved
when that old-world story is passionately
told them. There was plenty of warmth
in Grenville's fervent pleading, and after
reading the letter through twice. Maude
dropped the paper on her lap, and utterly
oblivious to her troubles, fell into a rev.
erie.
1t seemed so strange. She had lowed
and admired Gren as long as she could
remember, but she had never thought OF
him in this way-at least, she did not
think so, and yet almost unconsciously tC
herself. of late she had been more solicit
GUS about gaining his good opinion ant
pleasing him than of yore. ITO think
Gren should care about me in this way =
she murmured; land do love him?
don't know. He's nicer. and better, anC
cleverer than anyone l ever met. Why
didn't he tell me this when he was here
last? l think I'd rather have heard il
from himself. All. but doesn't he tel
me why not?" and the girl once NOR,
took up the letter and read:
'All this, my darling, has been on m,
lips for months but how could l tel
you how could | seek your love wht
had not even home TO offer? What tn,
struggle has been to see you so often, anC
yet keep down what surged within me,
only know. When l kissed your cheel
at parting last time, I nearly clasped yol
in my arms and poured out the secret o
my soul to you. l did not; it seemed
madneSS-it is perhaps madness now but
my darling. | could not lose you. Whel
you tell me that another seeks the priz
covet, right or wrong l must speak
Maude, you must decide between us. Car
you trust me, and waltz"
Once more the letter fell in her lap
and the softened grey eyes and slightl
flushed face augured we'll for Grenvill
Roses wooing.
Yes she muttered, softly, Il thin
l love him now as he would have me
and if don't quite yet--for it seems a.
so new TO me- know l could shortly
Gren, dear, what am l to write to you
! think il must be Yes"
1t was wrong, she thought, to kee
Gren In suspense when he was so dread
fully In love with her; so that night
mail bore timid, futtering little note
the receipt Of which produced tire
mendous state of exhilaration in tina
young Templar.
But poor Maude, after the first flus
Of exultation that enters the breast Q
every girl at a welcome declaration @
love, quickly awoke to the fact that he
position was not whit improved by i
She con6ded her engagement to her mott