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

specimen he had ever met. He knew
that her father and grandmother were
bursting with rage, and this only in
creased his merriment.
Il sometimes think Gertrude con-
siders herself martyr" Mrs. Gregory
remarked, in her most Indifferent man
ner.
By this time they had reached home,
and Gertrude's ooh, Grandma" was
the beginning and end Of her indignant
reply.
She knew, and so did Court Bently,
that the old lady had planned this mo-
ment for the delivery of few words
which were intended to deceive him in
reference to her granddaughter opin-
ion of her own grievances.
The next morning Gertrude appear
ed at the breakfast table in light blue
cashmere, trimmed girlishly with velvet,
and her magnificent brown hair hang
log loose on her back, as she had
threatened, only she had managed to
fasten it on the neck, SO that its wand
erings were considerably circun
scribed
The effect was one and almost start
ling. Court Bently was afraid he should
make himself obnoxious by his fire.
! quent chances in her direction; but in
all his travels he had never seen a
prettier picture, and Court Bently was
very appreciative of the beautiful in
both nature and art
Grandma Gregory did her best TO be
social, but the figure opposite waa evi-
IDENTITY too much even for her serenity,
and the old lady's breakfast was not a
success.
'Will you be very much vexed if
pay you compliment this morning,
Miss Gertrude?' Mr.. Bently asked.
Mr.. Gregory and his mother had left
the dining-room, and he and Gertrude
were alone.
''Ihat's according" she replied,
good-naturedly.
"Well, then, the gentleman re-
sumed, II am quite in love with your
morning toilet; and if were in your
place | think [ would wear blue dresses
and my hair down my back all the
time"
'EDo you like this?" Gertrude inquir-
ed, a comical expression overspreading
her face. II am sure I didn't think
that you would" she added.
"Then you must have considered me a
man of poor TASTE" Mr.. Bently replied.
eff | were little nearer your age,
Miss Gertrude, [ might infer from
your words that you had made your
toilet this morning with view to my
disliking it."
Gertrude looked very much amused,
and with curious glance at her COM
panion, said:
Gone would suppose you were an
octogenarian, Mr.. Bently."
81 presume [ must be nearly twenty
years older than you, Miss Gertrude"
he gravely answered. II am twenty
nine, and calling you twelve pardon
me if those figures are too large-you
see there would be seventeen years
difference, and that is great deal"
"Well, declareW the young lady ex-
claimed, with flashing eyes and scar
let cheeks. "You must have a singular
opinion of my father and grandmother
if you think they would allow me to
wear train and my hair on the top of
my head if [ were only twelve years
old [ shall be seventeen tomorrow,
she continued, making low obeisance;
land what induced you to think that
| was only twelve? | am sure [ cannot
understand"
81 beg your pardon, the gentleman
replied, carelessly; ''but [ presume l
received my impression from your re-
marks last evening as we returned
from the wedding"
Gertrude had no time to answer, for
just here her father entered the room,
and shortly after the gentlemen started
down town.
"Well, Gertrude" said grandma, as
they found themselves alone once
more. "What is our programme to-
day? VIII you stay at home and play
with your dolls, or may | have the
pleasure of your company ona shop
ping tour?'
This was too much, and Gertrude
walked out of the room without word,
and was seen no more that day. The
next morning the young lady's hair
was knotted at the back of her pretty
head, and Mr.. Bently thought her even
more bewitching than the morning
previous.
81 made several inquiries for you last
night, Miss Gertrude" Mr.. Bently re-
marked, as he was again left alone
with his young hostess; ''but no one
seemed to krow anything about you.
If you had not undeceived me about
your age, [ might have thought you
had gone to bed like other children"
"Mr. Bently, do you want me to
despise your" Gertrude inquired, look
ing her companion straight in the eye
Miss Gertrudew Mr. Bently exclaim-
ed, with start not all assumed.
Because, if you do" the girl went
on, ''you can keep twitting me of the
past! | have plenty of that to bear
with grandma. l don't believe you
thought yesterday morning that [ was
twelve years old, when you said SO, so
innocently; and [ don't think that was
very nice of you-though, | suppose it
was quite smart, and just what |
deserved | do think | lave been
pushed forward too much Mr.. Bently,
and / do believe in girls being allowed
to enjoy their girlhood. | shall never
wear my hair stringing on my back
again, thought Then after pause
which her companion could not see his
way clear to break. Papa said, Mr.
Bently, that you wanted me to go to
the opera with you tonight. [ should
like to go very much, and [ don't see
why we cannot be good friends, not
withstanding the tremendous difference
in our ages.
Il don't think Mr. Bently could very
well resist kissing the fair little hand
she extended so frankly, and as she
III I,o't 10 !