Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-08


distance, we can just distinguish {
little tug standing at the dock. Pres
entity, coming nearer, we had view
of the passengers, among whom, with
the September sun gliding her brown
hair, we first saw Maud.
81 say ''we," for Toms subduee
whistle told me that his heart hao
been smitten by this nut-brown maie
as well as mine. She was chatting
merrily with her brother and father,
who stood close by. We could hear
their voices, and distinguish the
names, Maud and Jack, by which the
brother and sister addressed each
other, but nothing more. Apparently.
however, they were talking of US for,
the little tug having started just as we
came alongside, our plucky little guide
determined on race. The wind was
against him, but he held his own
and, though the steamer passed ahead
of US into the narrow Marion river,
the cheer of the passengers showed
that they considered him victorious,
while Maud beamed upon him III a
way that made US both wish that we
held the oars.
She stood on the bow of the little
steamer with the venerable woods be-
hind her; but their green branches
and shadowy space were, for nae, only
a background to intensity the picture
OF her youth and beauty. With the
sight of her [ felt that I had had
enough of loneliness, and a longing
came over me, such as I had some
times felt in college, when the soft
| tone of a woman's voice reminded me
of home.
| AS we sped among the lily-pads,
rich with the same autumn colors
which the NAPLES wore, we had the
good luck to find several belated bios
SONS. The tug was making its way
slowly, for the channel was narrow
and winding; and as we were duite
near, [ fancied Maud looked envious-
ly at the treasures. Lifting ny hat, I
tossed them at her feet.
She did not blush, she did not scorn-
fully cast them into the water, nor
ask her brother to throw them back
to me; she simply nodded her thanks
with evident delight, and with the ut
most grace, she fastened the lovely
lotus flowers in her belt.
Does this strike any one as a bit of
sirtation2 What man could keep a
flower with lady near on whom, he
might bestow it, The lilies sought
their rightful owner, and / simply
helped them on their rightful way,
while Tom looked at the three he had
gathered as if unwilling to initiate
me, and equally unwilling to keep
them. 1t was a shame to pick Them"
he said, and laid them back upon the
water
The steamer now shot ahead, and
sur guide told us that it's passengers
would carry" across to Eagle lake,
where another steamer would receive
them, while our carry was shorter
one farther up.
Tom and both received the news
unwillingly, for we could not bear to
have this bright vision vanish so soon.
Should we never again see Maud?
We looked at each other, bnt said
nothing.
When at length we shot out into
Eagle lake, after the last of our carries
there was no sign of any steamer; and,
as we rOwed on, the sun set and the
moon rose, bat We were still alone.
On Blue Mountain lake we heard
the steamers whistle once more, and
IN the distance saw it's column Of
smoke and sparks as it pulled off to
another part OF the shore. We fels
like grumbIing at our choice of hotels.
but it was too late to change; so, hun
cry, tired and disappointed, we climb
ed the steep hillside.
Our appetites did not fail us, how
ever, Chow could they IN that air0,
and after supper we walked up and
down the broad piazza, looking upon
TIE mOonlighted lake and mountains
with a tinge of sadness as we thought /:
our outing was so nearly over, and we /
unused upon the maiden whose beauty
had charmed us.
Next morning we drove a mile in /
5he early twilight in order to take the /
stage We found only one unengag- |
I'd outside seat, and Tom insisted on /
my taking that. Was he really |
generous, or did he have an intuitionf |
asked myself, as suddenly our ac-
4uaintances of yesterday came down |
Juo Steps auu Sub6ISu VIC stage EiduS1
wore her lilies and nodded pleasantly
as our eyes met; bat she took a seat
opposite Tom.
1t seemed to me a very uninterest-
ing road. I saw little but the blacken-
ed trees and the burnt wilder
aess. [ was sadly bored by ta1kative
seat-mate, but there was no chance Of
relief until we reached Cedar river,
where the stage was exchanged for
Concord coach.
[ found that Tom had made great
advance in the acquaintance of the
little party to which Maud belonged,
and which I now joined. We ali
climbed on top of the coach, aud,
though the sun was hotter than ever,
and the dead trees quiet as CHASTITY,
I no longer objected to riding out
side.
Maud's father proved good -naaur
ed man, whose hay-fever had driven
him TO the woods; and, on the shore