Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-01

HUH lu0 ClTCl6-6AG6pIt fdpl. w lll1dulSI
who welcomed him cordially.
'' IT'S poverty parts good company"
whispered he, quoting the old song.
times more man than these miserable
drum stick limitations. By Jove, what
chest you have!''
Thurstan Baynard was indeed g a man
of inches" and broad in proportion
perhaps rather more than in proportion
though he had hardly yet reached his full
development, being but twenty-slx. A
long silky, black beard, thick, curling
moustaches, bright dark eyes, an open,
wide forehead, and rather massive head,
gave him no inconsiderable claim to be
called handsome. Thurstan was one of
those men, sometimes met, who seem to
| possess every possible advantage except
money. He was tall and strong, certainly
| good-looking, agreeable in manner, well
read, and still better traveled-he had,
for time, carried dispatches as Queens
messen ger-full of animal health and nat
urally joyous temperament, saddened,
! however, by the perpetual sense of impe
curiosity and the pressure Of petty debt.
His family was well connected, ofancient
descent, and yet practically he was yag-
| abOnd upon the face of the earth. The
|
| branches of the same stock; he and Marie
had played together as children, and he
was still free of the house; but when
| growing years seemed to threaten the
danger of an imprudent attachment, Mr..
| Delaselle spoke to him in private very
seriously on the matter, "hoping that he
would Tot take advantage of his position
to compromise MaTie's chances of an eli
| gible match" This was extremely Bit
ter 10 Thurstan, whose proud spirit was
| deeply wounded; and henceforward he
came rarely, and adopted deferential dis
tant manner. 49,
Marie, on herpart, scarcely noticed him
now that they were arrived, he at manhood
and she at wOmanhood. He thought it
was pride; still he felt constrained to call
occasionally, for in truth he loved her
beyond expression.
Nothing destroys mans spirit like
poverty, especially if he still by birth be-
longs to that class of whom it was said
7aObJesSe Oblige, and cannot fully descend
to the little WEAKNESSES too often compul-
sorily practiced by those who earn their
daily bread. There were as yet no lines
upon his forehead, but there was an indie
scribable expression of subdued pain.
I've come to say good-by," said he to
| Capt. Williams, as the two sat together
in the back ground, while Marie played
and sang gayly. Mr.. Delaselle just
nodded as he entered, and then devoted
himself to Mr. Marshe.
"Where are you off to, then?,' asked
the Captain. why on earth don't you
60 into the army?'
| Cant afford it-and can't live on thir-
teen pence day, either No, Pm going
to China; you know I've studied fortifi-
cation. I've an idea l could help them to
fortify themselves against the Russians.
They are much alarmed at Russian ag-
| erosion eastwards. Gen. Kauffmans
guns easily smashed up the wretched
walls and towers of the Central Asian
| Khans. | think China ought to pay well
| for instruction how to build redoubts a la
| VdubGn."
It's not a bad idea; but how about
leaving Miss Delaselle? 1 thought you
we're Well, nc matter; you're Just
the man for her. Yes, I'll say that even
against my own interest She'll be
snapped up before you get back, man.
Look at Marshe, and that prig the curate,
and the old Lord-pahl Are you sure
she doesn't care for you?''
She scarcely acknowledges me-" said
Thurstan. "And yet we used to Still
she has a right to do as she pIeases. AT
all events, | start tomorrow night for
Southampton from Waterloo Station--''
"Ill see you off. By Jove, Pm sorry,
deuced sorry! The best fellows are all
showed into a corner. Tomorrow night
it's st. Valentines Day tomorrow, now
[ think of it.''
Just then Marie's voice, blithe and rich
in tone, began with an inimitabIe ex-
preston of innocent mischievousness, so
to say, the old verse:
| "a the lads they look at me
| Coming through the rye
It's just like her." said the Captain
Z" and yet do you know, Thurstan, be-
lieve there is something good in that girl
despite all this frivolity. 1 wish you
could have seen her just now when they
were discussing marriages for money, and
| said the best and ruest girl was the one
who married for love. There was flash
in her eye; l don't think she knows her
own heart YETI
{" Mr.. Baynard," cried Marie suddenly
from her seat at the piano, come and
sing our old favorite, Annie Laurie.'''
The circle sneered at the mention of so
simple ballad. He hesitated, but she
insisted, and finally he sang it-sang it as
only man could do who felt every line.
1t was true that she had never pledged
her word, but she was indeed call the
world" to him. He had beautiful voice,
bell-like, yet liquid, and, to alter Just one
word of Byron,
''Love hath not in all his choice,
An arrow for the heart like sweet voice.,
They were all silent when he ceased
Marie indeed seemed to recover herself
with an effort, and thanked him gently,
in tone that nearly unnamed him.
dear mel" cried the lawyer; GIVE
forgotten l had telegram to leave at the
office. Excuse me. I'll RETURN
Mr.. Delaselle accompanied him to the
door.
Something very despicable in bust
ness" said Lord Pauline.
Every despicable, very" echoed the
curate. Contact with the coarser natures
who seek the aid of the law must natural
ly react upon those who listen to their
revelations
q believe there is great fire." said
Mr.. Delaselle, re-entering; let us go up
to the high windows to see."
The gentlemen and Aunt Jane, who had
a special horror of fire, followed him
quickly; and Marie was moving in the
same direction, when Thurstan, who had
stood aside to let the others pass first,
spoke her name gently.
She paused, and for moment they were
alone.
Yes" she said kindly.
IL just called to say good-by;
start for China tomorrow night-some
years before | may see you again. said
| Thurstan, in hurried and confused man.
ner.
Is this truer'
q 1t is, indeed, quite true. You will
remember me sometimes, Marie ~ he al
most said "my darling" but his courage