Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-11-25

for you know you did, and papa, too. "
At this juncture a servant entered
and presented card to Mrs. Gregory.
With critical glance at her grand
daughter, who had thrown herself into
an armchair by the fire, to think it all
over, the old lady ordered the visitor
shown IL, and the next moment a gen
tleman of most distinguished appear
ance entered the room.
Grandma's greeting was very kind,
and her visitor seemed sincerely glad
to see his old friend again.
This" said Mrs. Gregory, leading
the gentleman to Gertrude, SIS the little
girl you used to tease so long ago, and
who, suppose, has quite outgrown
your remembrance. Mr.. Bently-Ger-
trude."
Indeed, no." the gentleman replied,
as he shook hands with the young lady.
''She has grown quite tall, to be sure,
but [ should Judge, Mrs. Gregory, if I
may be pardoned the remark, that
your granddaughter has not outgrown
her mischief"
quite correct" said grandma, Il
think not"
Gertrude replied, with a blushing
smile:
~ do not remember you, Mr.. Bently,
though, if you will excuse me, [ should
not be afraid to hazard the remark
that you have held on to your fun
also"
Court Bently was twenty-nine, and
looked twenty-five, and Gertrude, as
she conversed in her unaffected and
lady-like manner, was not quite seven
teen and looked twenty.
Grandma was the picture of serene
cOntentment as she listened to the
pleasant chatter; and one as Gertrude
surprised a peculiar expression on the
old lady's face, all her old suspicion re
! turned for Il moment; but as she had
never known her grandmother with all
her tact and diplomacy TO tell false
hood, she dismissed the thought as I'M
worthy, and gave herself up to the
| pleasure of entertainment
| The next evening Gertrude, in a
white silk dress, her hair la mode,
was escorted to the wedding by Mr..
Bently. She had kept her promise to
her grandmother, but she felt altogeth-
er overdressed and uncomfortable
Her own ideas in regard to what she
should wear on all occasions were ex-
cellent and her taste unexceptionable,
and now she grew more distract and
unhappy.
Her companions, noting the change
in her manner, whispered laughingly
to her as they took their seats in one
of the front pews in the large church:
"You seem out of tune, Miss Ger
trude. Is it envy of the bride or dis
satisfaction with your ESCORT"
Gertrude's eyes fashed-they had
been already to flash since the hair
dresser finished his wOrk-and replied
considerably above whisper:
"You are all that is desirable, MI.
Bently-at least suppose so-though
| have not had enough attention from
gentlemen to really be able to tell. And
as for Carrie Shelville, who is going to
marry a man ever so much older than
she is just for money, [ don't think |
feel anything just now but contempt
for her"
"She may love him, Miss Gertrude,
notwithstanding the damaging fact that
he has money" Mr.. Bentley ventured
to respond satirically.
'Fudge!" said Gertrude, with a curl
of her lip.
'Since you are satisfied with me and
not jealous of the bride, Miss Gertrude,
may | inquire why you appear so"
'Cr0ssp' his companion interrupted
"You had better ask why l came to
this wedding, Mr. Bentley"
"Well, why did your
EFTo Show off NV now IraCc o,,J tbo
arrangement Of my top-knot, sir, and
for no other reason III the world, unless
indeed it might be that l was expected
to come"
ooh" said the gentleman, with
peculiar mystification of countenance
and tone, which for the moment SEEM
ed to quite restore the young ladies
good spirits.
An hour later, at the the reception.
Gertrude, who was slipping cup of
coffee and chatting gayly with her new
friend, heard her father, who, with her
grandmother had seats directly be-
hind her remark cautiously-indeed,
the ears they were intended for scarce
ly caught the low tones:
Gle says there isn't the slightest
truth III that report we heard"
Mr.. Bently went to get an ice for
his companion, and on his return
Gertrude was nowhere to be seen.
''She had gone to have chat with
the BRIDE" Mr.. Gregory explained;
but the gentleman's manner of looking
about the room seemed to Mr.. Bently
to contradict the statement.
However there was nothing to do
but wait, and this Court Bently pro-
ceeded to do with excellent grace. He
talked European politics with an elder
ly EEglishman, and chatted with
matronly French lady, introduced by
Mrs Gregory, in the lady's own
language, much to her delight
When it was time to go, Mrs GREGG
~ went in search of the truant, and
Mr.. Bently did not see her again till he
offered her his arm to the carriage.
Grandmother had been lecturing. That
was plain, for Gertrudas cheeks were
painfully flushed, and her hand trem-
bled rs it touched his arm.
Mr.. Bently wondered what it all
meant, as who would not? but he said
pleasantly, as he took his seat beside
her:
You saw the bride off, | suppose,
Miss Gertrude?''
mo, didn't" she answered, per
versely, and then, leaning forward to
address her father: Papa, do YOU
know that Carrie Shelville-
Knight-lacKs a month of being as old
as | ann"
'She looks unite nnat1Ira - NJ Croor