Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-10

/ .
heavy outer garments were the fashion.
Each buttoned himself to the chin, and
each took great gulp of whisky. Then
the major, with a sense of humOr to
keep him warm, touched up the mare,
and away they ratified.
whats to become of the clothes
line? asked the major.
''Shamus is to come down to the pool
and bring it home with him, said Jack,
with his teeth chattering.
Jack" said the major, affectionate-
ly, 1--WE an English note for FIVE pounds
on me somewhere, and it's yours, me
boy, for this days work.
'Me teeth are like castinets," Jack
responded. "Drive on for the love of
heaven ! But Pm game to take the
paper, major, an think | deserve it. J"
Il think you DO" replied the major.
Jacks description of the rescue was
a real work of art.
"No, no." cried the major, blushing
to the roots of his hair. Indeed, twas
nothing. He'd have got out easily
without me-"
Indeed, then" said Jack, 'Id never
have got out at all without you. Be
cause" he added soto rOce, without
you I'd never have got in"
MIR. Geoghaghan," said the bishop,
with tears of emotion on his cheeks,
"you must not stand moment in your
wet clothes. Come with me-"
The major followed obediently Wv
ian and Julia had beard the tale in
common with the rest OF the house
hold. By some instinct peculiar to the
sex they retired together. Vivian flew
to Julia's arms and kissed her cheek.
Indeed" said Julia, he's a noble fell
low"
''He is as crave as he is handsome, "
said the beautiful Vivian, and sympa-
| thetic tear coursed towards one corner
of her mouth.
Ugly Phil Durgan knew not Of this
moving scene, and was too stupid to di-
vine it. But there had never been any
love lost between himself and the
major.
"What roight has the blagyard here, -
queried Phil to himself, ''pokin' his
nose where he's not wanted? Whoy
couldn't he let the little puppy drown
himself, an save the country the price
of rope? He'll have to have one
some day. Old have let him drown"
unused ugly Phil; and, indeed, l am
not indisposed to think that Mr.. Dur
gan construed himself Alright.
1t so befell that there was nobody in
the palace whose clothes were likely to
fit the Major, with the exception of
Phil himself The Bishops request tor
complete rig-out for the rival was not
to be denied, but Phil granted it grudg-
ingly. A little silver kettle was kissing
above q spirit lamp in TIE breakfast
room when the Major descended. l
fancy that his lordship had caught
something of the manners of the coun-
try, and had use for that little kettle
on most days after dinner The Bish-
opess, with her own fair hands plump
and hospitable hands they were, made
grog for the rescuer of her child, and
pressed it upon him lest he should take
cold. 1t was a signal honor, and the
Major felt it.
A little flushed by his bath, and the
triumph eff the situation, the Major
looked more like a handsome man
than ever. Mr.. Durgan's tweeds fitted
him as though they had been made for
him.
"Phil," said Vivian, 81 always de-
spised your tailor until now"
eyes," said Phil, innocently, 'Tve
changed me man. These wor made in
London" And he sprawled into
an attitude which seemed likely to be
fatal.
The Bishop begged the Major to stay.
His wife commanded to the same eff
feet, with imperious hospitality. The
Major had nothing to do but to accept
the situation. spent the evening in
the same house with Vivian-that was
worth something to him.
Make the running" whispered Jack.
Its all in your own hands"
Now the Major, although an Irish
man. was bashful. 1t was an Irishman
who wrote "Sh9 Stops to Conquer, .
and he drew the hero on an Irish pat
tern. Had Vivian been a pretty cham
bermaid, poor Geoghaghan had APP
preached her with conquering airs
foreboding victory; but he was hall
abashed before a lady, though never
shamefaced enough to be clumsy.
at was noble deed, Mr.. Geogha
ham," said Vivian, letting her splendid
eyes shine full upon him for mo-
mcnt.
Faith it was not" he answered in q
tone Of some distress.
"What a rora aUis is really modest
man p thought the young lady; anG
when she had thought it long enough
she said it aloud.
Miss Blake" said the Major in a
half-whisper, 81 cannot endure that
you should think of me above my de-
serts, and especially when l have done
think of which am more than hall
ashamed. | cannot endure that you
should think I have done anything
brave or praiseworthy. Vivian looked
at him inquiringly. I think she
fan led that the Majors dip had given
him a little touch of fever, and that he
was wandering. That inquiring glance
did the business. The Majors eyes
met Vivian's, and ne knew his hour
had come. A child's hand can launch
a ship, but woman's eyes can do even
more marvellous things. That look
from Vivian launched he Major; moth
ing could hold him back. " There is
one beneath this roof" he said, "who
is dearer to me than me life. was
barred be cruel Fate from her presence;
circumstances over which L had no