Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-12
FILTRATION.

"Only 8 o'clock! How slowly the
time passes"
And Pauline Sedley yawned as she
looked out over the purpling tints OF
the twilight sea, while now and then
the bright reflection of a star seemed
to splash into the waves.
1t was a golden August evening,
moonless but radiant, with the balmy
air full of fragrance of new made hay,
mingling not unpleasantly with the
salt breath of the sea, and the sky all
glorious with the dolphln-llke bues
of the dying day, and Miss Sedley, sit
ting on the hotel balcony In her Hoat-
ing robes of white India muslin girded
with scarlet, and scarlet yer benas III
her hair. made an exceedingly ly pretty
adjunct TO the scene. She was a
brunette, with brilliant complexion,
all cream and crimson, jet black hair,
straight and glossy as an Indians and
eyes whose melting brilliance was
like the dusky glow of tropic stars.
No wonder that little Ralph Mon
tacute, the enthusiastic boy Of eight
cen, was madly In love with her-no
wonder that he hung on her slightest
word as an Eastern devotee hangs on
the priests oracular utterances.
''Slowly. Pauline, when l am at
your side," he said, a little reproach-
fully.
Pauline laughed and turned the dia-
mond and opaIrings carelessly around
on her fingers.
'sYou are only a child, Ralph" she
cod n lif4In djSd q e., 1lu
Il am a year older than you, Pau
line"
Pauline Sedley reached up to tap
his flushed, beardless cheek with her
fan.
"a girl of seventeen is equal to a
man of twenty-seven, any time,
Ralph. You're a nice little cavalier,
and you dance the polka delightfully."-,
but you see you are not fairly out of
the top and ball phase yet. Now,
there's Gustavus Melville, he's man,
and your cousin. Harry Livingstone,
'cdU0IieT sans pelJ1', ct sans 7'eprOcbe,
Major Livingstones majestic eyes are
enough to set any woman's heart IN
blaze"
She spoke abstractedly, looking out
toward the sea, apparently uncon-
scious that she had any auditor but
the far off waves and the mantling
twilight.
Pauline" calculated the boy, pas,
sionately, II may be young in years,
but you have taught my heart prema-
ture development. You have no
right to speak to me thus after play
ing with nay affections all the sum-
mer."
Pauline glanced up in astonish-
menr. Finished coquette that she was
she had hardly expected this outburst
from the most Insignificant of all her
victims. She had encouraged Ralph
Montacute's too visible infatUation
simply because 1t pleased her to make
a captive of the petty boy, and now
she was as much taken by surprise as
would be the fisherman if writhing
trout should suddenly find voice to
demonstrate when the hook was being
twisted out of his guivering jaws.
my dear Palph, you are talking
nonsense" she said lightly.
''Nonsensel Is 1t nonsense to tell
you that { love you-that my heart
has passed irrevocably into your keep
ing: that life will be a desert without
you?"
''Yes-very absurd nonsense! Go
back to school, Ralph, or college, for,
dear child, / should as soon think Of
marrying little Tony Warwick, who
has Just got out of merino frocksm
Ralph Montacute was silent. Paul
ines lightly spoken words Of ridicule
cut him to The heart.
Pauline, he SAID, almost sternly,
''do you think you have treated me
honorably?"
Pauline yawned.
'Honorably! what big word for
the occasion! One must amuse ones
self at place like this, and you GER
tainly ought 10 understand the differ
ence between mere harmless dirta-
ton and real sober earnest. Now.
Ralph, do be sensible and leave off
teasing me, that's good boy"
Ralph turned away.
's [ see Mr.. Melville is coming this
7yay. You will excuse me, Pauline?"
''Oh, certainly"
Pauline drew deep breath OF relief
as her youthful swain walked away
toward the star-lighted beach.
''Who would imagine that the lit
tie fellow would have laid it so serious
~ to heart?" she murmured softly as
she extended a lily-White hand to-
ward Mr.. Melville, who with half q