Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-25
the MIDSUMMER MASK.


IT was none Of Jack Cheselden's fault
that he went to sea once too often, and
so circumvented pair of schemers, or
more. He was one of those gay, gallant
good for-nothings, folks said, whom the
ladies dotted upon, and whom nobody
could find it in his heart to blame seri-
ously when his handsome face was pres
ent, but one who would never come to
anything better than marrying fortune.
Unstable as water, taking up law one
moment to lay it down in favor of physic
the next, who had flung chemistry aside
to dabble In oils and water-cOlors, and
had tried almost every thing but the
ology. One day he took it into his head
to try the ocean, but after the first tough
voyage his enthusiasm had died a natural
death; but Grandfather Cheselden sim
ply put his foot down-albeit equity
one-as folks thought he ought to have
done earlier, and insisted that Jack
should stand by bis last choice of a pro-
fession.
: [ won't leave you red cent, not a
red cent, Sir, unless you put your own
shoulder to the Wheel" he assured his
grandson.
In other words" said Jack, lightly,
as was his wont, unless Tll paddle my
own canoe But Pm going to marry a
fortune, you know" struggling his fine
shoulders.
And prey on her Golfers? A pretty
how o-ye-do for Cheseldenw
Now Grandfather Cheselden had no
10y III. himself TO thank for this affair
of Jacks with Emilia Belgravia. He
had done all in his power to bring it
about; he had condescended to lend him
self to the wiles of matchmaking. Jack
had been as indolent and Indifferent a
lover as ever the sun shone on, Heaven
mountaineering in love, thought his
grandfather, as in everything else; but
he had talked to Jack roundly; his great
aunt had demonstrated that his honor
was concerned, that he had tlirted with
Miss Belgravia till filtration was no
longer virtue; the family had courted
and fiattered him. Emilia herself seemed
nothing 10th; and the poor fellow had
been absolutely worried into an engage
ment, but revengeG himself by wearing
his chains loosely enough. The Chesel-
dens were a family who had come in
with the flood, so to speak, while the
Belgravias of few generations back had
cobbled shoes; but to equalize things
they had CobblGd to such purpose that
their Golfers were now overlooking, while
the Cheseldens' financial credit was on
the decline. The Cheseldens wanted
money; the Belgravias hankered after
family They played into each others
hands, and Jack was the tool, who simply
wanted to be let alone. AS for Emilia
well, she shared the family ambition,
doubtless, and if she were in love with
Jack-and mind | haven't committed her
she was not the first girl who loved
him without cause. So the affair was
arranged Emilia was beauty in her
way-not the way Jack would have
chosen, perhaps, but he liked well
enough to dance with her, to hold heI
fan; how better could d sailor spend his
raj? But he felt sort of hateful pride
be it said, when strangers turned to look
after her leaning on his arm. Then the
Belgravias' was a pleasant home in which
to while away ones time, since nothing
more fascinating offered-since Grand
father Cheselden's govt had made hin
testy and his failing fortunes had made
him stingy.
Perhaps he would have been more
eager to rivet his chains and would have
loved them better had it not happened
that the Kolus had brought home pas
senger on her last vovage-the voyag,
that Jack had wished to escape, tina
Grandfather Cheselden had insisted
upon his takingl The passenger was
pale girl. with none of Emilia's vivit
colors, shining amidst no pomp of cir
cumstance like Emilia; girl who wa
coming home to fill a governess' plac
in America. and who fell i'll on the tri
and called Jacks smattering of medicin
into use. Physician and patient coul
not long remain strangers, and Jack 500
found it fatally pleasant to arrange he
deck chair, to bring her work, to read
her when the light dazzled her, and
listen to her simple condolences; the
there were long twilights spent togethe
when she sang snatches OF sea-Song
when they seemed to forget that only a Ii
tie while ago they had not known of eac
others existence. Grandfather CHEESE