Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-01-24

her az saa listening for the roar of tn,
train, Notwithstanding all her amor,
vows OF tie night before. '''s--
Bea' dtlful, cross, unreasonable oir1 :
l VIII not go to the stile," she wa.
sayT az to herself, "and that will be ,
disc appointment to him.
! 'ohe was somewhat unset led, how
} ever, for fear she might be in inst thu
same predicament as on the nrecediI1e
evening, and have to return through
the g loomy wood alone. She had seven
elghths of a mind to 90 back. even vet
Is woman.
At last, with a sudden screech, the
engine came steaming along. Miss
barron began to trace figures on the
ground with her parasol, and put on a
most eXpectant air, her features sinking
into repose, and unconcern benign
enough to beft saint.
She saw Lyndhurst Darlington de
scend from the train and come striding
on Joyously till he came in sight of the
stile; for, though hidden herself. she
could observe all his movements.
lie came Oh eagerly, looking to the
right and left for her, and almost
stumbled over Miss Barron.
:" Oh, Madge p he cried, as he threw
himself at her feet, "you did forgive
me, and have come to meet mer'
" Forgive you, Mr.. Darlington ~
Nothing could be more icy cold. pray,
what has been your fault?" She looked,
as she spoke, straight before her, but
with an air of surprise which was ex-
ceedingly well counterfeited.
He looked up eagerly into her face as
he answered, why, was buttonholed
to death in town yesterday. 1t seemed
as If conspiracy had been entered in
to, and that every fellow | knew had left
his summer haunt to go up to town to
! detain me. [ transacted but half nv
business, and put off Jack Longley with
only nod on my way to the station.
l suppose he'll never speak to me again.
After all, [ was one minute too late. /
saw the COMPOUNDED train sweeping out
of the station just as Preached it. [ was
IN despair, thinking you would come to
meet me-"
| did walk down last evening, but
can hardly say, sir, that [ came to meet
you. [ did not expect you. l thought,
ifbusiness or illness kept you, you might
be gone Il week. l never thought of
you as hobnobbing with your male
friends and sauntering to the station"
Madge !" and a serious look came
into his face. LET us drop pickering,
and begin where we left off yester-
day"
Every WE'LL" she replied. "I believe
/ the point at which YOU left off was
whistling, and [ was doing nothing in
particular; so if you will strike offa
stave of anything, [ will demurely, but
admiringly, walk by your side"
Madge !" he exclaimed excitedly,
" [ did no such thing. Do men gaze at
statuary or paintings and whistle Faith.
my last remembrance is of a prettier
picture than an art-room ever held. [
saw beautiful woman, looking regret
at my leaving-a woman [ want for my
wife"
Here was poser Proposed to 1t
came like sweet surprise, nevertheless
But it was contrary to Miss Barron's
tactics. Were weeks of delightful flirt-
ing to be cut off in a moment in this
fashion? How could he have believed
her III earnest? 1t was ridiculous. She
had meant to play the injured mistress
for several days, and make him abiect
In his efforts tC reinstate himself with
her. She did not want climax reach
ed with this man. Her heart had told
her 1t would leave a regret she had
never known before. To avoid this
now, she wonld begin with raillery.
" Really, Mr.. Darlington" she said,
you must be hungry or over-tired, to
make such statement. A Widespread
table, steaming viands, comfort, and
wife, must have shot through YOUR
brain. L can assure you a delightful
supper now awaits you"
:" Miss Barron" he began, frowning,
without apparent notice Of her words,
and rising to his feet, three weeks ago
did not know you; but in that time
all my life now seems to have been
crowded. [ never stopp ed to question
your actions. 1t seemed as if there
was no need of asking for VOWS, they
would denote commencement of love. |
wanted it to be as if we had loved for
ever"
" Very WE'LL" she said, "let it be so:
no VOWS, no commencement. You see
agree with you perfectly"
" No, [ will not have it So" he cried. !
trying to take her hand
AS you please" she laughed, shrug-
glng her shoulders. Il can pick my
way through this bog without help"
l hope | am not wanting in gentle !
behavior, but before | or YOU Stir a
step further" he said, stepping in front
of her and barring the way, az want a
SImplp answer to q Sin,D1o o,,oc+;o,,
Madge! p
IF I cannot say yes perhaps I
cannot say mo- think friendship
does not Justify an abrupt no. I"
" don't want equivocation, he broke
IN. -" If you loved, eyes, lips, voice,
acts, all would blend into yes 1t |
must be yes or no. l say"
Madge had never met any man so
masterful. But she answered. never
theless, Then no since you force me
to be unladylike."
. I do not ask you to be unladyhke.
l do not say you are. asked you for
your love. 1t was a straightforward |
question. | wanted a straightforward |
answer. My arm. Miss Barron"
And thus walking, assisting her over
every trlfilng inequality of ground, they
went on to the villa.
Miss Barron was exceedingly gay that
evening. Lyndhurst loved her! Of
course, she was not going into any prosy
engagement. She could not hedge her
self in by marriage But they could
live the delightful life they had lived
this last three weeks always. He had |