Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-07-17


was great and good, A shrewd, merry
little thing, too, in her way, she was
capable Of discerning the difference
that existed between genuine man of
honor like Lord Beauvray, and mere
man of money like her uncle Moyle.
When she saw George de Vray after
his ruin" as old Moyle called it, be-
having with the same cheerful grace as
usual-not seeking to praise, but shun-
ming it-giving himself no airs of
hero, but talking and laughing. simply
like a man who has done his duty with
out any fuss and IS glad of it-she
thought her cousin happy among all
girls, and sighed to reflect that Mile
did not. perhaps, appreciate her treas
ure as fully as she ought.
1t was this enthusiasm of poor Gertie
Browns on poor George de Ways be-
half which first began to make the cup of
Mr.. Moyle's bitterness overflow. That
worthy gentleman had taken to musing
that there was an end to his chances of
sitting In Parliament, getting baron
etcy, and all that. George de Nray
might remain a pet of society, and by
means of Miles money keep sump-
tuous town house; but this was not the
same as being an earl, with an enorm
Gus rent-roll and influence over whole
county. Old Moyle limited as much to
his daughter, and, TO make the lesson
more forcible, threw out gloomy sug-
gestions that his own fortune was not
very secure, and that Mile might
some day find herself constrained to
live on her husbands e300 year and
to make her own dresses with the sew
ing-machine. This lamentable prospect
caused Miles tears to burst out afresh,
peevishly, so that she flew at Gertie
when the latter happened to make
some remark in Georges praise. Mr..
Moyle also scolded his niece. and very
roundly. saying she was a silly girl to
think that there was anything grand in
thro wing ones money out of the win
dow, so that all the world might talk
about it. Poor Gertie held her tongue,
though her heart throbbed wofully.
She had heard that the new Lord Beau
ray, the ex-Mr. Timburel, has been in
vited to dinner for that evening; and
she began to suspect that her precious
uncle was forming a plan for making of
this former clerk of his sutton for
Miles hand.
Her intuition was not at fault. Old
Moyle had fastened to make peace with
his discharged clerk; and the latter,
whose vanity was tickled by seeing his
qnondam tyrant cringe before him,
gradually became regular guest at the
bill-discounter's though he took care
never to come at times when he was
likely to meet George there. These
visits displeased Gertie Brown, who
could feel no admiration for the vulgar
manners and purse-proud ostentation
of Ralph de Vray. Tbis young man
was handsome, however, and not de-
void Of talent. 1t was no secret to Mil
lie that he exercised over her that fas-
cination which saucy assurance and
bold gift of the CAB" ever do over girls
who are weak and giddy. One day,
after he had been talking to Mile for
an hour in mis- most brilliant vein, some
recollection of a droll sally of his made
the girl laugh after he was gone, and
she exclaimed, Gle is decidedly very
amusing"
81 find him most wearisome," an
swered Gertie, dryly.
You are net bound to sit and listen
to him, then" said Mile, with flash
in her eyes.
81 will withdraw, then, on another oc-
casion-with great pleasure" was Ger
ties reply.
CHATS it, dove shan't miss you,
Blythe by, you never made yourself
scarce when Mr.. George de Vray comes
here"
"There are not the same reasons for
doing SO. Mr.. George is thorough
gentleman"
"And you mean that Mr.. Ralph is
not?"
Certainly not, to my mind"
"Ah! ah! pray is it simply because
Mr.. George has given up property that
was not his that you consider him so
superior to his cousin? | see nothing
wonderful in that. If / found one of
your trinkets among my things | should
restore it without growing all over the
town about my honesty. Indeed, |
think it rather strange that Lord Beau
vray should have not discovered this
secret until he had enjoyed his property
several years; it looks much TO me as
ifsome other people had discovered
it, too, and as if he had acted under
cOmpulsion.
''Oh. Mile. you are casting an asper-
sion on one of the most noble acts [
have ever heard Off exclaimed Gertie,
quivering all over.
''Well, it's your fault" screamed Mil
lie, exasperated; 81 am sick of hearing
you always harp On the same string.
If you are SO fond of Mr.. de Vray, why
d MT you get him to marry you?
That would be two beggars togetherp
Naturally, Gertie went to her room
to have good cry, but from that dav
she ceased speaking about George, and
became very circumspect III her de-
meanOr towards him. When he called
TO see Mlllie she left the room. George
soon noticed these tactics, for his in
terviews with Mr.. Moyle's daughter
by reason of Miles GOODNESS and irri-
liability. At the least thing she would
snap and sulk; and one afternoon when
George innocently made some inquiry
about Miss Brown, she fired mp in
jealous pet. 'Ycu seem very anxious
about Miss Brown. I am not obliged
to show her off in the drawing-room
whenever visitors come. She is only
pauper-cousin whom we have taken in
from charity"
cts queer charity. dear, if you talk
Of it in that way" laughed George. 81
don't consider poverty disgrace,
either"
''No, but it's very inconvenient," said
Millie, still querulously, land that re-
minds me- il we marry sunnose Won