Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-05-21
JUST A. WLILFUL GIRL.

dainty in it, what can you say? Tn
sorry, but"
ooh, well, if you like it; perhaps
it's because [ have wOr54 1T SO many
times; the lace is mended in so many
places; it's really such an old friend,
Esther, that l am tired of it and must
get q new one somewhere.
''Tessy, Tessy, [ can't bear to hear
The pale, sweet face of the older sister
had grown paler still. There was a
panied look in the soft eyes, and her
breath came quick. IF you want q
new dress there is some money, some
silver laid away in the box there-but
we can get along you must use
It,"
She stopped; it seemed that the
crowding tears would not let her 60
further. Her voice gave out.
Esther the pretty young
girl took that pale, quivering face in
her two slim hands-yOu thought
was in earnest? You thought l could
take that money? You could think
so badly as that of me? No will
never joke again. will always be ia
earnest. | have noticed before now
that I get into q great deal of trouble
because of my foolish habit Of joking.
And now-nOw KISS me.
Was not that sad faced, gentle lady,
with the tears not quite vanished from
her own eyes, proud to touch with a
soft caress the round cheeks turned
so pretty towards her.
''YOu know your pretty way of j1k-
ing makes one of my greatest pleas
ures, she answered, and I am a fool
ISL old woman, but if you want the
dress"
''WilIst du mir NIGHT einen kuss ge-
benz called q clear voice from the
open window. Both women turned.
A pleasant face-blonde, with a blop
Gle beard, and pleasant blue eyes
smiling from under thick waves of
curling, fair hair-was peering at
them.
"Oh, Joseph, is it you9" two voices
spoke together. This smiling appari-
ton, Joseph Miller, held out dewy
knot of flowers all green leaves,
white buds and tiny tendrils. Their
exquisite fragrance filed the room.
cit is my contribution" he said,
flushing behind the curtain that he
pushed back with one hand. II got
them as came along, at Floyd's."
''Ah, ah how beautiful! How can
we thank you, Joseph9 Oh, why was
/ not born a fower-just white rose
like this3 Then [ should not have to
trouble about a new dress. Now,
Miss Esther Paynep
The blue eyes of the young man
had been from the first fixed on this
slim, fair, flower bud of a girl, who
was towering over his gift in an costa
cy of delight. The eyes flashed now
with pleasure, as she took spray of
buds from the bunch and turned to
her sister.
''You may put these right there, if
you please-there in that bunch OF
curls over my forehead, so; that i'm
proves the matter"
"She has been fretting about her
DRESS" explained Miss Payne to the
young man in the window.
Her dress! Why, what is the
matter with it2" he asked opening
his eyes wide
SIT is old, and it is old fashioned,
and it is ugly" calculated Tessy, with
emphasis.
"Why, I was just thinking how
pretty it is. and | wondered if you
had made it new for the occasion" re-
marked that stupid young man. '.All
that green color with the white, just
hke.an apple and bud II thought you
must be flower bud yourself unfold
ed"
Miss Payne smiled, but Therese
made dainty face.
''The lace is mended all over, but
then it's real lace-real Mechlin lace, ="
she observed, bewildering her -Eaascu-
line admirer with grave technicalities
Happily he only saw the face, the
brown hair ruffling on the forehead,
the lovely eyes that laughed at him,
the lew, sweet voice that entranced
him. ooh, Blume, weisse BIume!'
her epeated rapturously.
please don't talk Ia that awkward
German, cried out Tessy, pettishly.
Tt only makes me thiRk of my school
lessons, and I can't understand it.
either. How can I tell whether you
are laughing at me or paying me a
compliment
The young man laughed. sob,
BIume! l was paying you a compli-
ment-a just tribute"
"And the other-when you first
cams9"
Joseph blushed and fdgeted.
''That-oh, that was just nonsense;
Unjust ask you to pardon it, F" he STAN
mered.
The grave soft eyes of Mss Payne
looked at him as if she would say she
had no fear he would say to them
aught that would be displeasing. She
glanced at bis dress and then said,
doubtfuily:
"Were you going to the park-were
you on your wayf
Joseph shrugged his shoulders,
smiling.
II shall go presently. But shall
wait till the brass band and speech
making are over. I don't wish to be
geafened and disguised at the Same
time"