Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-08

gazed into his eyes with wealth of ten
derness in her own, and said, ''Who
knows? Good fortune may at this very
moment be on its way to us.
And the very next day, January Sd,
1880, as Dorothy, with crimson shawl
thrown over her head, was out in the
garden scattering crumbs on the snow
for the sparrows, she heard the jingling
of sleigh-bells, and Farmer Beers came
down the lane with a sled-load ofwOod,
''Mornin,' Miss Dorothy" he called, as
he refined up at the back gate. They
thought it might be important at the
office, and so KNOWN how keerful be,
and that [ was comm this way, they
asked me to fetch it to you" And the
old man tossed the letter over the
hedge, into the girls outstretched
hands, and drove off.
"a letter for mew said Dolly, in tones
received a letter before in all my life"
Then she turned it about, and inspected
it curiously. The envelope was COM
mon large yellow one, and bore the
printed address of a law firm in an adj
joining city, as well as her own address,
written in a plain legal hand. ''WhO
can it be from ?" wondered Dolly; and
then opened it, to find her question but
partly answered. A sheet of blue paper
and a smaller envelope were enclosed.
The paper contained, in the same hand
which addressed the letter. these lines:
Mss Dorothy Hdldo:
DEAR MADAM-We send you the accompany
| ing check in compliance with orders received to
that effect from a client in Europe whose interests
in this country we represent. Please acknowledge
receipt Your obedient servants,
- FINE g. Prove.
January l. 1880"
Dolly's lovely eyes opened to their
widest extent. "a checkm she ex-
claimed, and with trembling fingers tore
open the second envelope, which was
also addressed to her, but in a different,
more elegant hand; and sure enough
| there was a check-H check for q hOuS-
and dollars, payable to the order of Miss
Dorothy Waldo. And on slip of
of paper which had kept its company
were these words: ''In payment for a
slice-a very large slice-Of bread and
butter" And that's all the young girl
ever knew about it.
| For one moment she stood dazed
with Joy and establishment. The next
she thought Of Dan. Perhaps he had
not started yet How could she get to
him through the deep snow? Sleigh
bells again. Farmer Beers coming back
without the wood. She ran out into the
lane. ooh, do take me with you." she
cried, to the greatsurprise of the honest
old fellow. II must see Dan-Mr How
ell, mean. Il must see him as soon
as possible"
'Jump right in, my dear" said the
old man, "and I'll have you at the
stone cottage in a jiffy."
Away they went, the gray mare max
ing excellent time-for her; and as
they neared the house, Dolly caught
sight of Dan just leaving it.
Dan! DAM she called, her clear
young voice ringing on the cold air,
and madly waved her crimson shawl.
Dan turned, saw the bright flag and
her sweet face below it, and came
bounding over the snow in time to re-
ceive her in his arms as she jumped
from the sled.
"You couldn't-po, not if you guess
ed forever" she said, half crying and
half laughing you couldn't guess
what brought me here this morning"
"Whatever it was, heaven bless it a
thousand timesw said the lover.
ct is-leap-year, you know, Dan"
Eyes, now [ think Of it, it is. But it
can't be possible yuo have come here
to propose to me?'
every possible indeed" answered
Dolly, slowly and deliberately. "Mr.
Daniel Howell, will you marry me?"
Mr.. Daniel HowelPs only reply was
to fold her in so close an embrace that,
being the tiniest of maidens, she almost
disappeared from view.
And has Miss Cross" he began,
when the pretty blushing face, all
dimpled with smiles, was raised against
| his own.
''No, she has not, " interrupted Dolly.
"She knows nothing about it. But its
all right, Dan," carefully tucking some
thing with her dainty left hand-Dan
held the right-into the breast pocket
of his overcoat. "YOu may come and
see Aunt Lorinda as soon as you choose.
You didn't know it, Dan dear, but
you've got thousand dollars"