Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-27

was only too glad to escape from the
OF the dark eyes she feared
could read her thoughts on her too ex-
pressive face.
Bertram attributed her departure to
different reason.
Like all others, she wished to avoid
showing her aversion to a cripple" he
thought, bitterly.
During the day at the Langdons he
formed a habit of calling often, and.
strange to say, never objected to being
drawn by Charlie into the family circle,
formerly he had preferred to
have him all to himself, and to avoid
the ladies of the family.
Several times, upon his entrance, Lu-
cretia found an opportunity to leave
upon some Ostensible Grand but, after
a time, she forgot to be nervous about
his visit, and remained an interested
listener to his eloquent and instructive
conversation. and then he learned to
look for the swift glow of sympathy
which never failed to brighten the
large grey eyes as the chosen theme
scared to regions accessible only to
those gifted with natures above the
commonplace.
The Langdons lived comfortably and
even elegantly, but could not afford a
carriage.
One evening, just at sunset, Mr.. Ber-
tram drove up to the door and asked for
Miss K:tty.
She came to the door and absolutely
danced with pleasure when he invited
her and her friend out for drive.
1t took the girl but few moments to
put on her wraps and take their places
in the carriage.
As Mr.. Bertram took his seat in front
of them he said to Kitty
4" | am sorry never have thought
before that drive might be enjoyed by
some of my young friends. | have
been very selfish in appearance.
fear, but it was in reality owing to
my poor appreciation of my lonely
rides. 1t never occurred to me that
they could be made endurable by
pleasant society.
Time flew on wings.
Kitty's tongue, as usual. was in viva
cious motion; and Lucretia now and
then chimed in, although her enjoy
ment was most Of the time too deep
for words.
Suddenly from the roadside rushed a
tiny Skye-terrier, evidently thinking his
mission lay at the horses feet but a
shrek and writing bundle of fur soon
convinced the occupants of the carriage
that 1t was all mistake on the puppy's
part.
With faint cry Kitty put her hand
kerchief to her eyes.
Not so Lucretia.
" Please, Mr.. Bertram, have the car
riage stopped. [ must see if the poor
little thing is killed"
l." Now, Cree, none of your old tricks"
said Kitty, petulantly. "I really be-
lieve," turning appealingly to Mr.. Ber-
tram, " that if you don't interfere, she'll
bring the horrid little thing into the car
RAG. [ shall faint, Pm sure I shall, if
she does. She always had weakness
for the manned of creation"
Then, Miss Langdon, perhaps your
friend may number me among her
proteges. | can claim place in that
rank"
Kitty blushed-a vivid, cunacounta-
bic, unbecoming red.
Oh, MIR. Bertram, [ beg your par
don ! never once thought !"
" You are forgiven, Miss Kitty. In
your various Inconsistencies of tread
ing upon dangerous ground lies the re-
ceipt of cure for what is perhaps a NOR
bid sensitiveness to my infirmity.
| 1I0rntI0 had
marks. She had alighted and gone to
the poor little victim of selfconfidence.
Taking him up tenderly, she found that
his injuries were confined to broken
leg SO with much petting and soothing,
she took her delicate cambria handker-
chief and bound up the wounded mem
Der. Coming to the carriage she lifted
up a pleading face.
" May | take him -See-he is
somebody's pet. Look at his collar. 1t
IS of silver, and his name-Fidget-is
engraved upon it. Some one is mourn
ing for his loss. We can advertise to-
morrow"
of course the little animal was ad-
mltted on the prayer of such an inter-
esting special pleader. and the party
We're soon speeding homewards.
All were strangely quiet, even Kitty's
chattering tongue had received sud
den quietus, and Mr.. Bertram was in a
brown study.
At last Lucretia looked up and met
his eyes fixed with a strange tenderness
upon her face
" | knew you think me very silly,
Mr.. Bertram, but [ can't help it. |
shouldn't have had a moments com
fort for days if | had left that poor little
thing to suffer"
" No, Miss Armstrong, YOU are mis-
taken about my thoughts. May call in
the morning and express them to you
more fully than [ can do now?"
Lucretia looked at him, but thinking
by his expression that he was quizzing
her, said indifferently-
. suppose you wish to classify my
folly by some learned name. Search
the records, by all means, and be
sure to relieve my suspense in the
morning" =
will most assuredly do So"
The low, deep voice had an earnest
ness uncalled for by the occasion, Lu-
cretia thought, and then dismissed the
matter from her mind and gave herself
up to the enjoyment of her drive.
According to promise, the next morn
ing Mr.. Bertram called and asked for
Miss Armstrong, and was informed that
Lucretia had taken her portfolio with
her, and strolled off into the park that
lay just behind the residence, and into
which any of the family or their friends
were at liberty to wander whenever they
felt disposed.
Here, seated on small mound, evil
IDENTIFY lost in thought, he found Lucre-