Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-08-31

led by one nand very tattereG look
ing little boy and the other a more de-
cent-appearing little girl, Millicent with
a start recognized. The boy she did
not know; but the little girl was Katie
Finnegan, and the young man was no
one else than Jack Wendover. Clear
ly the procession was Katie's picnic.
In all her own wenderment Millicent
sould not escape hearing the express
sions from the bystanders. 1t was the
warm-hearted market woman who
spoke first.
"BIess his honest face y said the
hearty voice. cts good man he Is,
or the childer'd never set such store by
him"
The next comment was from Mill
cents friend.
Chow queer, Milly! Fancy you and
me exhibiting ourselves that way. And
I dare say he's respectable.
And then there was voice from
behind, to identify which Milly did not
need to see the speaker. She had
often enough heard the grave, kindly
tones in the very church before which
she was standing, and she listened now
intently, as though somehow or other
her destiny depended upon it.
"That man." the voice said, sis
made of the stuff they make heroes
ct. It takes more moral courage
to walk up Fifth avenue at the head
of those children than to fight a
battle"
The girls heart gave responsive
throb.
''To think" she said penitently to
herself, chow silly and blind I've been
all the time ~
Just at that moment the procession
was abreast of the place where Mill
cent stood, and Katie's eyes rowing
restlessly among the crowd of lockers
on spied the familiar face. ooh, there's
Miss Broom % she shouted. "Please
let's stop and speak to her, Mr.. Wen
ver," and without waiting for permits
sion she sprang away TO Millicent's
side.
"Katie !" cried Jack, it must be con-
fessed little peremptorily.
But Katie did not heed either Mr..
Wendover's cry or the amused looks
of the spectators.
ooh, Miss Broom she was saying,
"Won't you come along. We're goin'
to see the 'nagerie and then we're goin'
to nave a picnic. And there's lots to
eat?"
Jack had halted in an uncertain way,
and the procession was all broken up.
Katie" he called once more.
cob, Mr.. Wen'verW she cried, turn
ing around and pausing distressfully
between the two attractions. "Wouldn't
you like Miss Broom to go with US?
She told me the other day she knowed
you, and there's lots for her to eat"
Jack moved d step or two toward
Millicent. Some of the crowd had by
this time turned away, but enough re-
manned to make it an embarrassing
situation for both, especially as every
one was obviously very much enter
tanned and Was waiting expectedly for
the issue.
"Graciousl" exclaimed her friend in
surprise, "do you know himY"
But Jack was already speaking.
81 hope, Miss Brunen, you will excuse
Katie's impetuosity," he said.
Millicent looked up bravely into his
face. Her resolution was suddenly
but resolutely taken. Perhaps it had
been taken before and only needed
some opportunity like this to give it
expression.
"Do you endorse her invitation"
"Of course I endorse it, Miss Brunen, :"
he said at length, and then he added
in lower tone, with all my heart"
They were only four little words, but
they brought new light into Millicont's
eyes and 81 fresh Joy in her heart. Per-
haps she had been vexing herself over
her fathers old suggestion as to the
reason of Jacks absence. Bat if she
had, Jacks tone and look even more
than his words told her there was no
need. With happy, half-embarrass-
ed laugh she turned to her friend, who
was standing the picture of ill-conceal-
ed amazement and said:
''I guess I'll have to leave you. It's
pretty hard work for Mr.. WendOver to
take care of all these children alone.
Good by dear"
And so before all the world she cast
her lot with Jack Wendover. People
laughed and stared, but what did she
care? Her friends, of whom she met
not few, stopped in the street with
amazement and wondered if MiIlicent
Brunen had got into any scrape that all
these children were following her. But
Millicent held bravely on her way.
With the interchange of single SEN
tence she and Jack had come to a per-
feet understanding.
"Have you found your hero, yet, Miss
Millicent?" he had asked.
And Millicent blushing all over her
pretty face, shyly answered:
"He was pointed out to me, Mr..
Wendover, only five minutes ago"