Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-08-10

nature rising up against mis- words.
''All the other shop-girls are going.
And the Hudson by moonlight would
be worthy of an artists finest pencil L."
"WOn't it be rather mischivous
crowd?" said Doctor Buddington, criti-
cally.
81 do not plume myself on being
an aristocrat," said Angela, ooldly.
cit isn't that, DEAR" argued the doc
tor. "But the Favard girls and Miss
Belmont are going, with their cavaliers
at least SO l am told-and they are
scarcely the associates with whom l
could wish you to mingle.
"We think differently on that, as on
many other subjects" said Angela.
''Do not go, Angela p coaxed Doctor
Buddington. ITO oblige me, abandon
the festival. p
"Not Ip' said Angela, lightly. II
love music and | am devoted to the
water, and | exult in moonlight. I
shall go!"
Doctor Buddington looked sadly at
the sweet, defiant young face. Was
| Georgia right, after all? Was there an
inharmonious chord in Angela's nature
which would scatter discord through
their whole future lives?
He was a man who, although gentle,
slow to decide, and judically impartial,
was apt, now and again, to act on the
spur of sudden impulse; and thus he
spoke.
''Do as you please" said he. "But
remember, Angela, that if you 60 to
this summer. night picnic it will be in
defiance of my plainly-expressed
wishes, and shall interpret it in but
one way"
So he went away, leaving Angela
more determined than ever.
Il am not to be coerced like a
child" she said "And | will go !"
What a glorious night it was The
moonlight like beaming gold, the trees
along the river bank full of mystic
shadows, the band playing Strauss
sweetest Waltzes. The fact that Kate
Belmont had brought with her the
brother whom Angela so vehemently
disliked, was only temporary damper
to her enjoyment. And she danced,
dreamed, watched the golden line of
ripples that followed in their wake,
and tried to forget Doctor Budding
toms face-and all the time she was
miserable.
eve are to stop here for water"
cried Kate Belmont rushing up to her,
fifteen minutes. And there is a glen
with al ice-cold spring and Dora Fa-
Vassi and / are going ashore. The
captain says there will be plenty of
| tipoo RI cot or ,ooo1do,, boi,. faroc OF III q
spring. You will come with us, An
gela ?"
And scarcely pausing to think An
CELIA joined the cluster of tumultuOus
young girls who were hurrying across
the plank into the woods.
"Kate!" she cried. 'Dora wait for
me-"
But almost before she knew it she
was by Hugo Belmont's side, in the
darksome recesses of the glade.
"Where is the spring." she breath
lessly demanded. "Where are the
others? ?"
cit will be all rightp said Mr.. Bel
mont, with the smooth, plausible smile
which she so disliked. "Don't hurry,
I beg! There is plenty of time. Take
my arm. l know of short cut
which,"
''But don't like short cuts!" said
Angela, angrily, as she remembered
that she was alone with this man in
the woods. "Take me back at Once"
Mr.. Belmont laughed IN q sinister
fashion.
''You don't like short cuts" said he,
land you don't like me! But | like
you, my pretty princess, and Kate has
been obliging enough to play into my
hands. There they go back to the
steamer. They have hardly had time
enough to get much maiden-fair fern,
eh?'
LET us hasten!" cried breathless
Angela. There the boat whistles
nOW!"
But Mr.. Hugo Belmont planted his
stalwart figure resolutely across the
path.
eve are not going back" said he.
''Now don't tremble SO, Angela
know some very pleasant people who
live down this road, and am going to
take you there to spend the evening.
All Is fair you know, my dear, in love
and war"
Angela burst into wild shrek.
Help y she cried. spurning the
sneering villain away-''heIo help +!
Oh, is there no one TO hear me ?"
At that selfsame second tall, dark
figure seemed to glide like q shadow
across their patE-Hugo Belmont fell
backward like q log. measuring his
length on the dewy grass, and Angela
felt her arm drawn res0luteIy through
that of-Dr. Frank BuddingtOn
"4ou here?" she cried, with a little
hysteric gasp. ooh, Frank, I am so
glad-so thankful p
eve must walk quickly" he said, in
a low voice. The steamer has already
sounded her signal of departuro-we
have not 4 second to lose"
1t was like troubled dream-the
shifting moonlight, the dewy thickets,
the glisten of the river, the conscious
ness that they were Gnce more aflOat,
With the sweet clamor of The Beauti-
full Blue Danube" again Ginning in
her ears, the colored lights of the boat
shedding rainbOw-iike glory on the
thrOnged deck.
Doctor Buddington led her to a Sc
cluded seat, and stood in silence be-
side her. She was very pale-she
wrung her hands.
How came you on board ?" she
asked in low tone.
Because, Angela, 1 felt that you
needed prOtectOr-because | did not
dare to trust my treasured lamb among
wolves. Do you know, dear" he added,
imprc ssively, that you have had q
most narrow escape?"