Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-05-29

hSdII COl4u utSlIS. All! Is, oil Dut
self approval, love, and Stephen Soth-
erne. Still, let her answer NO." and
Stephen and love would still be lacking.
and hardship, want, and public disap-
prevail be superadded.
The miserable little thief" thought
the exasperated Mrs. Stoughton. ''She
has played her cards to perfection, coz
ening that old fellow into marrying her.
No doubt he'll rue the day, and serve
him right"
In the meantime, as Greta had not
given him a refusal, Mr.. Grafton chose
to consider himself accepted. He con-
suited her about the wedding journey,
about the new servants to be engaged,
as if the marriage was a matter of
course. She acquiesced in his sugges-
tons, bat she had no choice to make 4;
she was drifting with the stream, not
rowing hard against it; she was making
believe that she could love him by-and-
by; his attention, his consideration for
one SO forlorn, his generosity, touch ed
her, that was all.
One day Mrs. Stoughton's husband
returned home. 1t would seem as if
no event could have less effect upon
Greta's fortunes. She watched him
walking by, and wondered if Mrs.
Stoughton Was glad to see him.
"Any news in Hampton" he asked at
his dinner table.
"News enough. Mr.. Grafton is going
to be married." returned his wife.
"That reminds me- | must see Graf
ton directly. Married, eh? Well, he's
old enough. Who's the bride elect?"
"That little hussy, Greta Loring."
Softly, softly, my dear; it sounds en-
vious."
81 envious of that little thiefw
"Thiei? What has Greta stolen-old
Grafton's heart? Nobody knew he had
one before. Perhaps she has only de-
veloped a latent organ in him."
ooh, Herbert. am so sorrow to tell
you'll never could make up my mind
to write it; but she WAS at work here
Greta Loring-by-the-way, I haven't
paid her yet-and- my diamond
ring was in the same room, and-it's
there yet, only the diamonds gone.
Nobody else had been in the house.
What could I think? Of course she
stole it, though she brazens it out as she
does"
"Mr. Stoughton turned ash-color, laid
down his fork, and stared at his wife.
"And you accused her Of stealing the
diamOndW
81 wrote to her very kindly and con-
siderately. She replied in high and
mighty tone, which was simply insult
ing. put the case into Mr.. Grafton's
hands,"
"I1ato Grqftora's hands! Well, and what
did he say about it?"
"Say! Why, he's going to marry
her!"
''Looks as if you'd win your case, .
laughed Mr.. Stoughton, uneasily. "And
so Greta is going to marry the old fox.
A pretty kettle of fish! My dear, ]
really wish you had notified me ofyour
loss"
He took up his hat and went out
grimly. He had 9. very disagreeable
duty to perform, and he wanted it over
with; it had spoiled his dinner, and that
was enough. He knocked at Greta's
door.
"The diamond again." she thought
"After ALL" he cogitated, "why not
let we'll enough alone? Perhaps she
loves the fellow"
Greta bore herself like one with good
news: a tender color trembled on hel
cheek, a sort of suppressed Joy shone in
her eyes. An open letter lay before
her, and Mr.. Grafton sat in her easy
chair.
Mrs. Stoughton, watching from hel
window, wondered what under the SUI
Herbert could have to say that would
take so long, and hoped he was giving
Greta piece of his mind, but grew al
the more bewildered when he and Mr.
Grafton came out together and separ
ated without word.
81 guess her cake is dough-" she con
jectured.
When Greta was left once more alone
she turned to her open letter in s
strange hand:
"What does it mean, my deares
Greta ? it began. 81 sometimes think
I'm not quite sane yet, and it's all &
fiction of my disturbed brain. Here
was, just picking up from a fever, in {
strange city. when [ received all my
old letters and keepsakes from my
sweetheart, and not a word of explana
ton. 1t was like bomb-sheil. [ was
out of my head for month afterward
and small wonder. Greta, love you
love you: so much love was never
meant to be wasted. The hospita
nurse kindly writes this for me, since
can only swear that [ am still, and eve
will be your devoted lover.
"STEPHEN SOTHERNE."
Mr.. Stoughton looked very sobe1
when he sat down to his tea table tina
night.
Pm dying to know what Miss Gretf
had to say for herself" remarked his
wife.
The stronger vessel smiled. "You1
tea, my dear, resembles the church o
Laodicea-it is neither hot nor cold"
at waited for you long enough tc
cool. 1 wonder you didn't see tina
you were de trop at Miss Loring's."
II think maybe Grafton found me d,
trop. In the mean time, my love,
am happy to restore your diamond,
and he passed a tiny box across the
table.
"Then she has confessed!" sparklec
Mrs. Stoughton.
You jump at conclusions. Womer
are fond Of such gymnastic exercises,
hear. No; the confession comes from
your humble servant. I am the cul
prit, Mrs. Stoughton. 1t was | who
wanting some ready money for bust
ness purposes, distracted the diamond
from your ring, and pawned it to Mr.
Grafton. He advanced considerable
sum upon it, and | never meant you
should know till | had redeemed it