Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-05-13
DOLLY AND L.

Wnen L first started IN lie, II was III
the small establishment of MIR. Brusle
statiOner.
1t was not very a remunerative situa
too, but old Mr. Brusle was a kind old
man, Mrs. BrusIe a nice, talkatiye old
lady, and d lily Brusle often came inta
the shop and stood behind the counter
beside me.
Dear little Dolly; she had brown eyes
and dimple on her chin, and she
sang like prima donna.
Old Mr.. Brusle and my father had
been friends, and / was not servant
only, but privileged friend az well, and
ali the excuse needed for staying every
night was given In the words:
81 want to hear the singing"
We'll, anyone might have wanted to
hear it, for that matter-not merely a
boy who was In love.
Things went on this way for three
years, when one afternoon, old Mr..
Brusle, shutting the draw of his desk
with bang, SAID:
''It's no use, Tom, may az well give
III. Pm not making a penny, and
hall break up the business. The old
woman and [ can manage on what we
have, with only one child, and | can
rest and stop fidgeting. [ suppose Dol
ly can teach q little too, and she can
have some finery in that way. But the
old shop is mOckery, and I've known
it good while"
So that was the end of that Arcadian
time.
The stock ADD fixtures were sold out,
and the shop was altered into q parlJr
and | wrote to my uncle in London,
who had promised 10 take me into his
business if | wished it, and he tele.
graphed:
"Come next week"
And then, one day, [ asked Dolly to
walk down into the meadows, and see
if the blackberries were ripe.
We took two little baskets, and the
berries were hanging plump and large
and purple black but before we picked
one, l drew her TO a quiet place under
great chestnut and put my arm about
ner waist, and said:
Dolly, you know just how l feel to
ward you, don't you? You know love
you"
She nestled up to me a little closer
and | took both her tiny hands in mine
"Will you wait for me while, D ,lly?'
! said. "Will you think that | am do
ing my best all The time to bring the
day nearer when l can ask your father
togiye you to mt?"
Eyes, Tom, I'll wait"
And then we picked the blackberries
and went home through the meadows
"We'll not speak Oft yet, Tom," sale
Dolly. DAT home. [ mean; they think
me such child vet. / don't want tt
break the charm. In time they'll guess
that I'm a woman: and they like you
Tom"
The evening passed swiftly. 1 arose
to 60.
God bless your said the old man.
pressed my lips to Dolly's fore
head.
In that moment of parting the ole
folks thought it only natural.
And then | was gone.
My trunk had been at the station fol-
hours.
heard the whistle of the train; saw
the red glare of the monsters eye;
heard the snort and the tramp.
He was ready for me, and the city
and It's whirl awaited me.
For while [ was bewildered in the
city, then very busy, then flushed witt
the prospect OF being rapidly advanced
and being able to ask Dolly to be my
wife sooner than | expected.
wrote her joyous letters.
She wrote pleasant ones back to me
We did not make them open love let
tiers, but both understood the love a
the bottom of them.
And 80 tn months glided by.
For the first half year had no holi
day.
Then a grudgingly given week wa:
giv,n me, and visited my friends anC
had a glorious time.
Dolly was lovelier than ever.
She walked over to the station Will
me when | left, leaning on my arm.
The train had not come In yet-tht
one for London, but the other had Sc
down the passengers from the city.
Que, stout gentleman of thrty-fvt
dressed in fine style. having given hi
pprtmanteau TO a porter, advanced Il
Dolly.
Glow do you do, Miss Brusle?" sale
he.
She held out her hand shyly.
How do you do, Mr.. Holly? Tom
this is Mr.. Holly. Mr.. Holly, Mr.
Hearn."
He bowed; so did |. But the fellow
had such an air about him that IhateC
him.
How did she know him?
j had never seen bim before.
"Who is he?" asked |, in whisper, al
the porter called MIR. Holly back fo
directions.
He has something to do with thu
opera, think" said Dolly.
Then came the Shrek of the whistle
at the station.
On Numbered the train.
san in for London?' yelled voice
Goodbye, Tom" said Dolly
od-bye," said l, but l stared a
Mr. Holly.
lyon will be left, Tom," said Dolly
hurried away.
/ found seat.
dol thrust my head out of the Car win
Dolly was walking away on Mr.. Hol
ly's arm, and his head was very close t
hers-very.
| made a fool of myself next day.
wrote Dolly an indignant letter.