Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-11-21

Tue talSe SlllCIue. was so much taken /
up by my own cleverness thatI did not
notice the way in which my story was
being received by my hostess. Judge
then of my astonishment and dismay
when, as ended with an innate little
chuckle, she suddenly burst out:
'And do you call yourselves menl
Do you know what [ call your"
My dear Nelliel" said her father.
[ was speeches.. She fixed her eyes
on my face, and the position. assure
you, was singularly uncomfortable
one.
Il call you cowards," she went on,
"and- and" Evidently she was at
loss for an expressive word.
''Miss Hartley" l said, deeply peni-
tent, eff
Pray, say no more" she answered,
coldly. 'Papa, [ will leave you to your
wine"
l did not see her again during my
stay, which, as you may guess, was not
prolonged beyond the time absolutely
necessary. This abrupt and mysterious
interruption Of an acquaintanceship
that had promised to prove interesting,
[ tried to cast the whole matter out of
my mind. | could not. In every quiet
moment [ would find myself running
over the unfortunate occurrence, and
trying to account for it. Had she
known him before? Was she in love
with him? The idea first made me turn
hot, then cold. But no, impossible! Not
the most extravagant fancy could make
these two images, of Eleanor Hartley
and Of our simple little newcomer
stand side by side. Looked at from
another point Of view, the thing was
absolutely absurd. A score of men ad-
mired Eleanor Hartley-fne, stalwart
fellows. the pick of our community, for
their eyes so high-men broad-chested
and deep-voiced. and we'll versed in
every kind of world love. Was it not
preposterous to imagine that this pull
ing boy could be her ichoice? How
then was to explain her displeasure?
[ did explain it. 1t would be hard for
you to guess how. But at certain times,
| you know, our thoughts are peculiarly
obedient to impulse communicated to
them by will with which our
desires have tempered. I said to
myself that Eleanor Hartley was dis
appointed in me. Yes, this was the
meaning of it ALL That [ should have
joined in inficting annoyance on a
helpless felloW-creature vexed her
And really, when [ looked back calmly,
the whole thing began to wear an ugly
aspect. Well, it was annoying. But
| 1No
Eleanor would be sorry, doubtless, for
her hastiness. [ could easily put the
matter in different light. All would
| be well.
Meanwhile | returned to my own
quarters, where, as | presently found,
events Of an exciting character were
under discussion. Miss Hartley, [ was
told, had come to pay a visit to her mar
ried sister, who lived in our settlement.
AS we were not cheered by the presence
of any unmarried ladies, this was of
course an occurrence of the first magni-
tude. But further, a large dinner was
to be given at our club, to which all the
ladies and our newcomer were invited.
He had been persuaded that the dinner
was givon in his honor, and was beguil-
ed into making speech, from which
much fun was expected. [ threw cold
water on this scheme. | was afraid,
you see, that Miss Hartley might see in
it another malicious trick and be furth-
er incensed against me. But once a
ball Of such sort is set rolling, it requires
a hand Of peculiar force to stop it.
Mine was not able for the feat, and my
friends arranged their plan of action
without me. After all. [ think [ was
not sorry that he should make a fool of
himself publicly before Miss Eleanor.
1t would be sure to destroy any senti-
mental liking she might have had for
him, SO held my peace, and the event
full day came on.
How nervous | was that evening! I
remember L was obliged to call in the
assistance Of one of my friends to ad-
just my necktie. and he was obliging
enough to tell me that | looked as vel
low as guinea. A comfortable as
surance, truly, when ] had wished to
look my very best, for had not seen
Miss Hartley since my unlucky story,
and | wanted to make my peace with
her. But when, with an apology on
my lips, [ drew near the sofa where
she was sitting, found, to my infinite
relief, that no apology was necessary.
She was as friendly in her manner as
ever. She was exquisitely dressed that
evening in-well, [ can't exactly say
what-some dead white material, that
| fell IN delicious folds about her stately
figure. The girl could always dress
herself to perfection. She looked
superb. Beyond a doubt she was the
queen OF our party; certainly we felt
as proud of her as if each one of us
had been her father or brother. She
did not speak to our newcomer, and
this relieved me. But at the dinner
table l felt a little more uneasy. She
and he sat at opposite corners of the
table. 1t seemed to me that she was
quietly watching him. from time to
time, and at such moments there was
in her face a wonderful light of happi-
ness and pride. [ understood it all
presently.
The long dinner passed.; dessert was
on the table; the usual toasts had been
given and responded to. Then my
friend rose, and in a few serious words
which, as some of us knew yelled a
real irony proposed the health of the
Youngest man at the table, our dis
tinguished guest, whose arrival had
been SO long anticipated and so eagerly
hailed.
All drank the toast, and there fol-
lowed an awful pause. Every eye,
Eleanor Hartley's among the number,
was fixed on the newcomer. He rose
to his feet, and [ ventured to glance at