Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-12-18

|
hand at quoting Artemus Ward he had
ever heard. Bah! hate girl that quotes
Artemus Wardp' and Tom switched
viciously at the dandelions with his cane.
His companion watched him with a
mischievous smile.
II a0isb yOu q0OuId be less keerLeSS Nth
that a0eppjn!" she said, you'll upset my
water directly, and then you'll have to go
and get some more"
"Now don't yOW begin it, " Tom pleaded.
"Why not? l like Artemus."
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
"Well," his tOrmentOr continued, "have
you any other fault to find with your
| bride?"
'She's not my bride"
"But she will be-"
"No, I'm bothered if she whip Tom
broke out, vehemently.
"What? VIII you buy your freedom
with Hillingdon and seven thousand a
year?"
"Aye, and think it cheap at the price"
complimentary to Miss Leigh Shall
I tell her"
eff you like-but never mind Miss
Leigh"
you've not told me gour name yet, "
said Tom, after while.
Only name?" she repeated. ooh, never
mind my name"
"But [ do mind your name. Won'tyou
| tell me?"
MY name is Nellie, too," she said,
musingly.
"Shall call you Nellie, then?" he ask
ed.
Certainly not" she said, coldIy, and
recommended painting vigorously. He
was getting on too fast.
Tom watched her silently. "Won't you
| forgive me?" he pleaded, after while.
''Shall l ?" she said, holding her sketch
at arms length to observe the effect.
| eyes, do" said Tom; cts so Christian"
"Then l WILL" and she gave him her
| hand with a most adorable smile. Tom
felt sadly inclined to kiss it, but refrained
"NOw," said she, consulting her watch,
81 must be off,
"And will you permit me to carry your
things?" asked Tom.
But at this moment she was capricious,
as ladies will be sometimes, and positive
ly refused to allow him to do any such
thing. Then arose a struggle for the
things" which were, however, captured
| by Tom after a short resistance.
She turned and walked maiesticalIy
away as Tom gathered up the implements
with a grin, and followed her. When he
came up to her she was sitting on a stile,
looking dreamily on the ground. She
raised her eyes as he approached.
"Mr. Luttrell," she said, 81 want to
speak to you seriously"
Tom deposited his burden on the
ground, sat himself on a log facing her,
and waited solemnly.
81 want to know if you're quite deter
mined not to marry Miss Leigh?"
II am" he replied, looking steadily at
her, and tapping his teeth withher H. B.
pencil.
'Since when?" He hesitated.
"Since when?" she repeated imperiOus-
ly.
Tom began to dig little holes with his
stick.
"Well, within the last few days." he
said at last
If he had been looking at her he might
have seen the smile and blush of pleasure
which lit up her face as he spoke.
you see" he continued, 'it's my
fathers marriage, not mine; and a man
likes to choose his own wife. l dare say
there's no real harm in the young person.
If she's your friend, it speaks well for her,
but still"
"But still what? You've never seen
her; how can you tell you won't like
her ?'
Tom became more than ever absorbed
| in his excavations.
"The truth ISL he blurted out between
the digs, 1.-The truth is, that lately, quite
lately, think I've seen the only girl
shall ever care to ask to be my WIFE," and
he looked suddenly up at her.
She rose confused; began to consult her
watch earnestly.
II must go, really. Please give me my
things This is the park boundary, so |
| won't trouble you any more"
She sprang over the stile as she spoke,
interpOsing it between them as they said
adieu.
"When shall I see you again?' he
asked, as he held her hand at parting.
She allowed it to linger in his as she an
swered:
ooh, soon, dare say; perhaps when
you least expect it." And gently return
, ing the pressure of his hand, she turned
away. After few steps she looked
, back.
"Any message to Miss Leigh?" she
asked mOckingly.
ooh, cOnfound Miss Leighp' growled
Tom, Il wish she was in 0taheite.@ Then,
seating himself on the stile, he lit cigar
and watched her graceful figure till he
! could see it no longer. Suddenly he
smote his thigh-"By Jove! l never got
t her name, after ALL" he said
: Immediately on arriving at his inn he
8 commenced a oss-examination of his
hostess, by which he learned two facts
First, that Newlands was the property OF
r Sir John Turnbull; and secondly, that
4 there were two young ladies staying there
/ Miss Leigh and Miss Harding
t Next day saw him speeding in hanson
: from Paddington to his fathers house in
4 Brook street, intent on destroying thai
Y worthy old gentleman's peace of mind by
9 the announcement of his determination
5 to give up Miss Leigh and Hillingdon.
as my father in, Simms?" he asked O
the butler, when that functionary APP
e peared to attend his young master.
d mo, sir; Mr.. Luttrell went out will
Mr.. Leigh just after lunch
K MIR. Leight-is he here ?"
n eyes, sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh arrived
t. this morning from the country"
The deuel." said Tom, ''they seem t.
e haunt me wherever 1 CO." and he retiret
precipitately into his own den.