Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-29

Bessie.
ITO come in !" shortly responded the
othor voice. "What should I want ?
Open the door a little further, can't
you, my good girl?"
go about your business" said Bessie,
with the emphasis of one who Is de-
termined to have her own way.
''Let me in p sternly spoke the voice.
''pu do nothing of the sort" said
Bessie. there's a tavern two miles
the road and farm house one mile
below. If you want shelter go which
way you please. You cannot come
here"
''But why not?" persisted the in
truder.
because I don't choose it," said Bes-
sie-and she shut the door in his facet
And needless Of the rouEade of knocks
on the panel which succeeded this bold
coup d'etat she came back to where
Eolia sat, pale and startled.
ooh, Bessie" she cried; chow dared
your"
"Dared what?" said Bessie.
clock him out"
"Would you have let him in 2"
counter questioned Bessie, composedly.
It's some tramp or other who don't
know that the house is let. think,
Eo, we must have a dog if we intend
to live here alone"
"But, Bessie, suppose.he should come
backw
"Well, suppose he should, said Bes-
sic.
"And insist on coming in," faltered
Eolia.
Bessie laughed. ~ should point the
bed-key at him." said she, 'and he
would believe it was a pistol, and take
madly to his heels! Dear little Eo
don't be so easily frightened. Believe
me, we have seen the last of our
tramp"
! Half an hour afterward Mrs. Chubb
came plodding over the sands and
plunged into the sitting-room, like
some rubicund monster of the deep
Eolia looked up from her knitting, and
Bessie set forward a chair.
"Well," painted Mrs. Chubb, 81 have
done it now!"
"Has anything happened "said Bes
sic.
give let the honse when it was lei
already" said Mrs. Chubb, still breath
ing very hard. ooh, dear! Oh, dear
And you young ladies will have tc
clear out, bag and baggage, tomorrow
morningw
"What?" cried Bessie.
"Impossibler' echoed Eolia.
'But we have rented the house for q
year," argued Bessie.
81 can't help that" SMILED Mrs
Chubb. at seems that the New York
agent let it on Monday TO a gentleman
and you took it Of me on Tuesday
And"
"Whatis the gentleman's name" ask
ed Bessie.
"Lilburne," Mrs. Chubb answered
Captain Adam Lilburne."
"OhI' said Bessie, with the calmness
of desperation, GIVE just turned him
out of DOORS"
And then. to Mrs. Chubb's infinite
amazement, she burst out laughing.
The next morning when she unbolt-
ed the big front door and went out
there on the steps sat a respectable
man servant in black, guarding a pile
of trunks. She looked at him for q
moment; he touched his hat.
Good morning miss" he said, re-
specially.
"Good morning." said Bessie. "a
suppose you are Captain Lllburne's
man ?"
''Yes, MISS" again touching his hat
"N'here's your master?' she asked
"He slept at the farm last night
miss. And the missis, she's coming
down by the noon train. There's the
captain now"
A Bessie valiantly advanced to meet
a tall, handsome, sun-browned man in
suit of navy-blue flannel, carelessIy
belted around the waist.
"You are Captain Lilburne, l sup.
pose," said she. II am sorry be
haved so rudely last night. But the
truth is, it was dark, and we girls were
all alone in the house, and-and-
took you for tramp"
Captain Lilburne raised his hat, his
black eyes sparkled like wells OF
amused light.
'The mistake, although not fatter-
ing to me, was altogether NATURAL
said he.
eve are in your house, it seems, .
said she, abruptly.
! ''Well, it has rather that appear
ance," said the captain.
"And we supposed that we had, at
least, home for the summer" added
Bessie, regretfully.
Pm very sorry, Pm sure" hesitated
the Captain.
'Now see here" said Bessie, ''I've a
proposition to make. There's plenty
of room in the house. Suppose you
and your wife take us to board; or sup
pose we take your"
The captain smiled.
Unfortunately" said he, 81 have
no wife. The Mrs. Lilburne who is
coming down is my mother"
Bessie colored scarlet, but she stood
braVely to her guns.
Call the same" said she, 81 don't
like to be turned out of doors. My sis
ter isn't strong, and the doctor pre-
sCribed sea air aud -"
pray 90 not sayanother word, " said
Captain Lilburne courteously. Gas
you remark, the house is large. |
hope you will consider the west wing,
which you are now occupying, entirely
at your service"
But couldn't remain there unless
you will allow me to pay rent" pleaded
Bessie.
''Nery WELL" says Captain Lilburne,
''then you may pay rent"
So it was settled. Mrs. Lilburne, a
mild, rosy-cheeked old lady, came