Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-18
OLD GOLD.
BY EsHTER sERLE KENNETH.

Starr-qulte pretty--and good enough to
have been a heroine on her own merits,
without taking into account the fact
that she was her uncle's heiress. She
had complexion like-well, like cream
and strawberries. All the young men
declared she looked good enough to eat.
And then she had such a great tawny
mass of curly golden hair, and eyes
sunny and laughing, with black-yes,
black-curly lashes. The rest Of her
was smiles and dimples. In short, she
was a perfect little witch, and two-thirds
of the pretty village Of Eastville were
in love with her.
Yet Phoebe wasn't spoiled. She had a
sound little head that generally knew
right from wrong, and at home she was
her uncle's most excellent housekeeper,
and the very apple of his eye So it
was a little strange that Doctor Conrad
so gained favor in her sight.
1t was John Walworth that Phoebe
had been two-thirds engaged to for
three years. He was just as honorable
and fine a young man as you'd wish to
see. Phoebe had known him from
childhood. He used to carry her to
school on his sled when she was seven
years old, and for twenty years they
had lived side by side. The lands of
Starr Farm and Walworth Cottage
joined. 1t was old Lysander STAIRS
wish that Phoebe and John should mar
ry, and the young folks had always
seemed to like each other.
In truth, they loved each other dear
ly, but suddenly Phoebe proved tickle.
One Doctor Conrad came from New
York to spend the summer at Eastville
and soon it was plain to be seen that he
had won Phoebe from John WalWorth.
All women love elegance and courtly
manners in men-WhO blames them!
Doctor Conrad was very elegant and
pretty, fascinating little ways, as if he
were born party man. He was used
to society, people said. John Walworth
had always lived at home among plain
Eastvllle people, so | suppose he wasn't
used to society.
Well, everybody talked; they couldn't
help it. There was Phoebe strolline
down the wild-rose lanes with Doctor
Conrad every moonlight evening, and
going to ride with him every pleasant
afternoon; and there was John Wal
worth sowing and moving, and going
silently about his business every day
without word to anybody. Nobody
dared speak to him about it, especially
when old Lysander declared that
Phoebe had gone and engaged herself
to that popinjay doctor"
There was no talk of disinheriting
4
Phoebe She might have married Blue
beard, and her adoring old uncle
would have done all he could to smooth
her pathway.
Doctor Conrad and Phoebe were en-
gagged. Eventually third party sets
everything wrong by interfering; but |
think third party, had it been a very
sensible daring person, might have set
everything right by showing Phoebe
what glamour was over her eyes.
The disappearing looks of her old
friends awaited nothing, for John was
everybody's fayorite, and of course, there
was prejudice against Doctor Con
rad; she expected that.
And she did not wonder that the
staid, elderly people of Eastville did
not like Doctor Conrad. They could
not appreciate his delightful chat about
books, pictures and the opera.
His talk had great charm for her
as we'll rs his carefully studied dress
and graceful manners. 1t was such a
brief summer, too. Afterward it seem
ed like Il vague dream through which
she Grifted.
When Doctor Conrad offered himself
To her, he described his home in New
York. He told her of persons and
places, so that it seemed most fascin.
ating scene upon which she was tc
enter.
Its charms buOyed her up when she
thought with most painful sinking OF
the heart If poor John. But John
crossed path very little of late
Yes, ane was sorry about John; she
had always meant to marry him some
time; but she had promised now-it
could not be helped.
Promised! Yes. And Doctor Conrad
had taken the measure of her tapel
finger for ring.
Now, ii CHANGED that about this time
Phoebe was obliged to go to the neigh
boring town, Lockton, on an GRAND fol
her uncle. On returning from 4 cattle
show, he had left his old silver repeater
at the jewelers. to be repaired. and rs
he thought he could not get along three
days without it, Phoebe was sent to hurry
M the job, and get it, if possible.
She went very readily, one morning
IN the old-fashioned buggy, driving
Solomon, the safe old horse, whom hel
uncle was sure would not run away
with her.
The jeweler, Mr.. Graham, the respect.
able father of six boys, was one OF
Phoeba's most devoted admirers.
g Sit down a few moments, nv dear
and you shall take the old watch
back with you. Well, we'll Hooking
admirably over his glasses at the bloom,
ing face under the straw hat" and Sc
our gypsy IS going to be married.
shall soon be 1T work on the ring nod.
ding.
What ring, Mr.. Graham?" asked
Phoebe in surprise.
Yours, my dear. Made to order
Doctor Conrad brought me in some old
gold, which will fit up INTO a very fine
affair for that little hand. | am only
waiting for the stone. He promised
to bring it to-day, and probably will
come.
Make me a ring out of old gold? q
murmured Phoebe, almost involuntari-
ly.
There seemed to her no sentiment
about such an economical arrangement.
She expected that her ring would be
selected from a pure importation in