Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-05-23
THE PROPHECY.
An Episode that Won a Wife.

subject, Louise" said Blanche Under
wood, as she stood before the mirror in
their private parlor and adjusted her
ruffles. in looking for that quality,
you'll overlook the want of some other,
and find you have made a grievous
blunder."
Cant help it if I do. It's my ma
ture to worship that quality-in a man
especially-though / admire it in any
one. He may be plain looking, but he
is glorifed forever in my eyes if he dis
plays true courage" and Louise Rand
passed her white fingers lightly over her
wavy black hair, and resumed her re-
Ginning position on the lounge.
"And you don't think Redmond
Clark has courage? ?" Blanche said in
terrogatively, turning to look at the fair,
flushed face of her companion.
"No, of course | don't" said the other
with renewed animation. 4" never saw
any of these blonde men show courage
don't believe it's consistent with their
natures. If Redmund Clark ever gains
my love he will have to prove himself
a man by some unquestionable dar-
ing"
"There is moral as well as physical
heroism," quietly suggested Blanche.
don't think my cousin is deficient in
the former"
81 want to see them combined" said
the imperious beauty. Physical dar-
ing is the outgrowth and seal of moral
courage. But we shall have to drop our
discussion. Here comes the gentleman
himself"
They heard tread on the stairs, then
the door swung open and Redmond
Clarke entered.
A careless, free and easy exterior, a
gentlemany bearing. Undeniably hand
some, if one admired the style Louise
protested to despise-blonde moustache,
indolent looking eyes and very brown
hair
Have you heard the news, ladies ~
he asked, as he threw himself, with
easy grace, into the depths of COM
Portable chair, and pushed back his
heavy hair from broad white fore
head
No. I didn't guess they dealt in such
commodity in this quiet place." said
Blanche.
Perhaps it isn't local news" sug-
gested Louise, Idly winding some bright
worsteds, while Redmond Clarke noticed
the contrast between the glowing colors
and her snowy fingers.
Yes, it is local news with ven
geance. A prophecy uttered by a seer
sixty years ago regarding this town is
on the eve of fulfilment."
please explain, said both, with grow
ing interest.
Tomorrow night this hotel known
as the Cocassett House, and a space of
two miles from it, in all directions in
cluded, is to sink, and instead of the in
habited village, the morning sun is to
rise over a broad eXpanse of water,
which has covered the doomed inhab-
itants."
Pshaw p said Louisie, impatiently.
I'VE were unfortunate in our selec-
ton of spot to rusticate," pursued
Redmond, watching Louise closely,
without seeming to do SO. Eve came
here to escape being bored by fashion
able society. If we are swallowed up
by the miniature flood aforesaid, society
will be rid of us, which would be loss
on both sides"
Perhaps we had better pack our
trunks and leave on the strength of this
threatened danger" said Louisie, with
quiet sarcasm.
Suppose we make a short visit to
Ashdale and return-if the place still
stands-when the dangerous period has
passed" laughed Blanche.
"There's the dinner BELL" and the
conversation ended somewhat abruptly.
40 Two IaCao,o1DI 70
dining-room, and took their seats at the
table.
1t is said that the first part of the
prohecy has been literally fulfilled" a
gentleman was saying, as they entered.
We may reasonably expect the rest to
be true also"
"What are the circumstances in
quired middle-aged lady. 81 have
heard only the last part of the story"
Il will tell you. Sixty years ago a
traveller stopped here at hotel, where
this one now stands, and engaged board
and lodgings for fortnight. But the
first morning he made his appearance
with face white with horror, and in
formed the landlord that he could not
stay as he first intended. He narrated
that during the night it had been I'M
folded to him that a hCrrid murder had
been perpetrated within the walls of the
building short time past and that, as
curse, all the children afterwards born
here should die in infancy. Further,
that new hotel should be erected on
the site of the one then standing, in fifty
years, and in sixty years the hotel and
part of the town should be engulfed, as a
further lengthning out of the curse"
The middle-aged lady looked much
impress ed.
"And this all happened where we
now are?"
eyes, the Cocassett House now stands
on the spot where the dire prophecy
was utter ed, and we now wait anxiously
for the final contamination"
Have they made allowance in their
reckoning for leap year" fiippantly in
quired youth who sat opposite the
serious gentleman.
"You should not jest under the shad-
ow of the great calamity" said the first
impressively, regarding the youthful
unbeliever severity through his glasses;
then to the lady" the traveller was OBJ
served to have jet black hair the night
before, IN the morning it was snowy
white
Part of the people at the table looked
serious; part were amused. Among
the latter was Redmond. His ewes
twinkled with suppressed amusement,
but he concealed it. Blanche and
Louise bad been interested listeners to
the narritive, growing somewhat digni-
fled by the discussion at the dinner
table.