Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-05-08

away in his pocketbook. When he called
at Millicents lodgings, he found her
alone, not even Miss Corney being present.
She had wild, excited look in her ewes,
and deep flush on her cheek; and direct
" the door was closed, she stepped hur
rledly towards him.
"Do you know why | have invited YOU
here?" she asked
Bertram looked as many volumes as he
could, and bowed discreetly.
'Esperanzo!" said she, turning away.
"Whatm cried Bertram. MY sympa-
thles were true; you are really"-
The blue domino.'
Instead of throwing himself at her feet,
selzlng her hand, and calling her by her
Christian name, as he ought to have done,
Bertram said, in a musing tone: Curious!
| was never at ball in Brussels in my
life"
"Ohn' cried Millicent shrinking away,
covering her face with her hands, and
shedding tears of bitter shame and humil-
iation
II hope you will forgive me-" Bertram
continued. II had no idea you would be-
lieve me rodomontade, which was only
made up at the moment for fun. Pray do
not be distressed; | know all about it. 1t
is pique which has impelled you to listen
to the suit of SO unworthy an
individual; if it were otherwise, |
should indeed esteem myself the
most fortunate of men, AS it is,
it is happy that am neither a needy adj
venturer nor an INSCRIPTIONS lover, or
perhaps you hight have been hurried into
a marriage which would have proved the
mic Of
be eaten by lions, Rugged to death by go
rillas, stamped out by elephants, poisoned
by snakes and quinine, and-and all sorts
of things. By-tlr-by, do you know that
he is off to the Cape next month";"
Millicent was too much overwhelmed by
the appreciation of the position she had
placed herself into reply; so Bertram went
on:
They have made up a story about his
engagement to Mrs Geylass. Absurd! If
he cannot marry one lady, am certain he
will never take another, unless, perhaps,
an Ashantee. Not even for pique. | do
wish, dear Miss Lund, that you would
make friend Of me, and tell me the real
cause of otfense in Graham. Do not think
me curious and impertinent; | only ask
because | have a suspicion that | mis- ht be
able to remove some false impressions. |
was left trustee to a young lady, a cousin OF
my own, to whom Graham was once en-
gagged; and | know that when the affair
was broken off, he was very much blamed.
Can that sad business have caused you to
think badly Of him?''
Had I-not-a right-tO do 500 sob
bed Milllcent
Far be it from me to place limit to
the Rights of Women" said Bertram. II
only know that Graham was not one ota
to blame in that sad affair, the fault being
entirely on the lady's side, that he could
have cleared himself in your estimation at
her expense, if he had not pledged himself
to silence land that he kept that pledge when
the happiness of his life was at stake, is
very much to his credit. 1t is no romance
that | am telling you this time, Miss Lund ),
| give you my word Of honor that what |
say is true | was one of those to whom
Graham made the promise OF secrcsy."
When you have nothing more to say to
woman who is crying, it is best to go
away. SO Bertram went
When he parted from Graham that
night he said "By-the-bye, have some
thing to give you, old fellow" And,
opening his pocket-book, he produced the
little undirected note and handed it over
On the following morning, Milliccnt
had another caller-an unexpected one
this time
Il have got your note" said Graham,
seeing that she looked startled. "What
may | hope?'
My nOter'
Graham held it in hand open She
took it, and read:
Let me see you to-D1orroec morning.-N. l.,
Il have been informed that WAS hasty-
once; and, if so, am sorry for any I'M
just expressions may have used"
She could not think what else to say.
1t did we'll enough.
But said Millicent, after an hours
conversation, you were very proud your
self you know, Harry, not to make an APP
peal to the trustee people to explain"
And though he did not think so, he owned
| it, just as he would have owned anything
just then.
He did not 90 to Africa TO shoot soril-
las; he stopped at home, and married the
heiress. He is very fond Of Bertrand but
| do not think his wife likes his friend 50
well as she processes. That little scene
was too humilating Chambers Jouguol