Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-09

her heart to it after her own childlike
lmpulsive fashion.
"Oh, you dear old tree, you, whatever
should I do without you? I'm so glad
God made you grow | wonder if He
didn't think of me when He first looked
down and saw the little acorn lying on the
ground, and then whispered to it to climb
up here by the window on purpose, SO
when | came | might have something to
love and talk to. Oh, you do make me
happy and I feel just like singing" And
here she happened to remember that her
| aunt and Arabella had gone out for drive
and she was alone in the house. With a
little, glad laugh at the thought, she broke
forth into merry song, which echoed
through the lonesome old house and
sounded far out through the open window
She sang on and on, forgetful of all out
ward surroundings, only knowing and
feeling that she was, for few brief mo-
ments, happy, At length her joyous carol
died away into low, soft melody, and
the old Scotch song, so tender, so sweet,
again broke from her lips. And again
Clarence Lee was listener and knew il
was the same voice that had so charmed
him on that never-to- be-forgotten evening.
He had legal news Of importance for Mrs
st. John, concerning her husbands will
and he was just passing up the long, gray
eled walk when his ear caught the first
notes of his favorite song. He reached
the door, then paused and listened. He
could not bear to put an end to such sweet
singing by making his presence known
and so he waited until the last verse was
ended
Her voice is low and sweet,
She is all the world to me,
And for bonny Annie Laurie
/ would lay me down and dee
Then he rang the bell Lettie started
and rubbed her eyes as if she had been
dreaming, as its harsh sound reached hel
little chamber, She supposed, of course
it was her aunt and Arabella returned
and, finding the door locked, had rung
the bell; and they had heard her singing
so loud up there-and oh! dear, what
would they say and what should she do
But she had no time to waste She flew
like bird, down the long stairway anC
through the hail, and opened the door
with trembling fingers and a palpitatine
heart.
"Please don't scold," she began, bu
ctn10naH oh nrt Of I1f
two frowning faces she had expected
stood tall, handsome stranger, who was
smiling in an amused way at her confu
sion and mistake.
"No, I won't scold," he said, "if you
will tell me is Mrs. ST. John at hone?'
Lettie's cheeks looked like two full
blown roses. They felt, she thought, very
much as they did once when she had the
toothache and had a mustard poultice ap
piled to her face. Yes, sir-nO, sir,
mean," stammered Lettie.
"Will she be in soon?"
Lettie thought she would.
"Well, then, I think I'll just step in
and wait, for 1 have important business
Will ueT, Sdlu clarence.
Lettie led the way into the parlor and
was hastily retreating when he said
Stay one moment, please. VIII you tel
me who that was [ heard singing, as
Cameo The lids dropped over the pretty
brown eyes, and again the rich color came
to her cheeks; but she was truthful. 81
think, sir, it must have been me, as there
is no one else at home"
"Oh!" and his look was a mixture OF
surprise and enlightenment 'You are
Bridget, then?"
Sir?" said Lettie, with her eyes
opened wide
Isn't your name Bridget"
ooh, no." said she, laughing at the
queer mistake, "my name is Lettie-
Lettie Morris, and Mrs st. John is my
aunt"
Clarence began to have an inkling OF
the truth of the matter, as he thought OF
the cruel words he had heard the last
evening he spent with Arabella, and his
mind was filed with thoughts of indigna
ton at the unjust treatment of one sc
sweet and innocent. do you never get
lonely in this rambling old house ?" asked
he.
ooh, sometimes" said Lettie, 'some.
times when-when-" and a sob finished
the sentence with a sudden outburst OF
tears.
Pardon me, Miss Morris. / had nc
intention of bringing UP painful thoughts
10 your mind"
Excuse me, sir, for weeping" said
Lettie as soon as she could choke back the
tears, & but | was thinking of my mother
she is dead-and you spoke so kindly ]
could not help it''
Clarence ventured some comforting
words and then rose to go, as it was grow.
ing late and Mrs. St. John had not yet re,
turned. He would call some other time
he said, to transact his business
The rage of Alabella was fearful to be.
hold when at dusk they came, and upon
inquiring if anyone had been there, Lettie
answered: "Yes, gentleman called, .
and described him so accurately ArabelIa
knew it must have been Clarence Lee.
Arabella had not yet recovered her TEN.
per nor forgiven Lettie for attracting
l 4 f1--.N ~