Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-31

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of her bonds and jewels"
ut is quite possible" said Mrs. San
ford, that they may attempt by some
device to get hold of her money and
valuables before she is married. l
they should, that might open her
eyes. Oh! if only she could escape
from those wretched creatures, and
return to US with no worse misfortune
than the loss of her money and Jew
els, what a blessing it would be! Are
you going out again?' she added
anxiously. "Can you accomplish
anything by doing so?'
Nothing. I shall not leave you
again this evening, unless in answer
! to a call from police headquarters
kilograms have been sent out in
every direction, and if any facts of
importance are learned, they will be
Immediately reported to me-"
GA cold dismal night. and ten
o'clock !" Mrs. Sanford exclaimed,
some hours later, as she drew aside
! the curtains and opened the shutters
| to look out UPON dreary prospect. !"
And our dear child, whom we would
give our lives to save, is out some
where, with no one to counsel or
direct her, a thousand times worse
off than she would be if alone in the
wilderness, surrounded by wild
beasts. Oh! that some way might be
provided, even at this late hour, to
save her the sorrow and disgrace
from which it now seems Impossible
for her to escaped
Meantime, while the grief distract
ed parents were passing through the
weary, suspenseful hours OF that sad
night, Cora, accompanied by her low
er, and his and her chosen friend and
c0nfdante, Martha Dagget-a widow,
and a distant cousin of his, as she
understood - was speeding along in
the cars, enjoying the novel expert
ence of a genuine elopement.
But, somehow, after the first excite
ment of starting was past, it did not
seem quite so enjoyable as she had
anticipated. Her mind would turn
back to Der lonely parents in that de-
serted home, and her heart began to
throb painfully as she pictured to
herself the grief, displeasure and dis
may that would follow the receipt Of
the letter she had mailed just before
leaving the city.
In fact, it required the most persist
ent and affectionate attentions, both
on the part of her lover and Mrs. Dag
gett. to keep her from acting upon the
impulse that prompted her to return
home.
But for the present, the influence
OF her lover was potent and effective,
ond she was very much in love with
him-or thought so-which served the
purpose quite as we'll.
When his attentions had been dis
couraged, and even forbidden by her
parents, despite the feeling of resent
full pique which that exercise of their
authority had aroused in the breast of
their petted and slightly willful child
she would have been disposed 10 yield
to their decision, had it not been for
the skillful exerted influence of Mrs.
Daggett, who, from a mere-almo>t a
chance acquaintance, had suddenly,
in some way best know to herself.
develoded into Cora's chief friend and
counselor. Under her tutelage, Cora
had been made to view herself as the
victim of parental tyranny and I'M
reasonable prejudice against one who
only lived IN her smile, and to whom
existence would be worthless without
her.
At Mrs. Daggett's residence, or I'M
der her management, the lovers had
obtained clandestine meetings, where
those sentiments had been fostered
and strengthened, until Cora was
ready, or at least disposed to take the
only step which, as they both assured
her, was left, in order to assert her in
dependence and secure the man of her
choice.
And now, although at the remem-
brance of that cruel, anflial letter.
written from Mrs. Daggett's dictation
-tae tears would crowd into her eyes,
and remorseful sobs rise in her throat,
the pressure of her lovers arm around
her, his soft voice-modulated TO the
most endearing cadence, and breath
ing words of the most uDdying de
votion-made her persuade herself
that she was happy, and that he was,
after all, as she herself had stated, her
dearest friend.
While stopping for refreshments,
abeut nine o'clock IN the evening,
the prospective bridegroom and bond
holder called Mrs. Daggett aside, and
spoke few words privately and then
sauntered carelessly away, while the
lady returned to her prOtegee and
pupil.
''Dearestl" she said in the soft, pur-
ring tone that was somewhat begin
ming to lose its charm for Cora,
cousin Jack tells me that he has
learned that we are being followed,
with a view of getting you away from
him-either by Kidnapping you, or in
some despera'e Ha5- before he can
make you ali his own; and he thinks
that when we return to the cars, that
we had better sit apart from each
other, as you will be less likely to be
noticed by parties who may be direct
ed to look in and see if you are aboard,
and if Mr.. Btivens is IN company with
you. Cousin Jack proposes to take a
seat in another car, only looking in
once In awhile to be sure we are all
right; and, for still greater security,