Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-09
WHAT SOMEBODY SAID.

was twenty-One when I asked Ada
to marry me, and it was the happiest
moment in my life when she said
Yes"
It was IT thOughtless thing for me
to do, for l really loved Ada, and was
in a position to keep her in comfort
would never have asked my dear
girl to marry me unless | had been able
to give her a comfortable home, for |
don't believe in q man who marries q
woman when he has hardly enough to
keep himself
This is my way of looking at it, al
though a great many young people will
not agree with me in this:
What will keep one, will not keep
two; you may rely upon that.
When Ada said YES" [ was not
long in asking her to name the day;
for my holiday was near at hand, and
Ada and / would be able to 60 down to
Deyonshire for fortnight to spend our
honeymoon.
People who have to get their living,
have to do things in q more matter-of-
fact way; but they are just as romatic,
for all that.
The first thing | did when | obtained
her consent, was to 90 and tell Jim
Towsend all about it. Jim was my
friend, and l said:
'sWhen | am married you shall al
ways have 4 seat by my tireside."
''WiVes don't always like their hus-
bands friends said Jim. sagely; ''but
I'll come if | am wanted"
ssMv Ada will always be glad to see
my friends" l cried, proudly. you
shall come and see her tomorrow
night
Every well, !" said Jim, and then we
said goodnight, and my friend went in
to supper.
4 man in love is q strange creature,
and felt restless, and not at all in
clined to sleep; so l walked up and
down the mOonlit street, my heart full
of Ada.
Passing along quiet square, caught
sight of y man and 4 woman talking
under lamp-post.
If the woman had not looked round
| shouldn't have seen her face; but, in
sayi.g goodbye to her companion, |
saw it clearly enough.
1t was Ada Richards; | could not be
mistaken in the face | loved so dearly.
Wondering why she was out so late,
and who the man was she was speak
ing to, was about to cross the road,
when | was stopped by cab, which
would have run over me had not
drawn back.
Quickly as the cab went by, when it
had gone, neither the man nor the wo-
MIN were to be seen.
Hurriedly | crossed the road and
turned the corner of the street. Ny
eager eyes caught sight of a retreating
figure; running after it, | touched her
on the shoulder, saying:
L thought you were in bed and
asleep"
The woman turned Indignantly. 1t
was not Ada! In the darkness of the
narrow street my sweetheart had dis
appeared, and | had spoken to strange
lady.
She paid not the slightest attention
20 my apologies; but walked on, evil
IDENTITY thinking that [ was intoxicated.
| felt strangely agitated at seeing
Ada, for that it was her had no doubt.
Why had she come out at this late hour
when she had told me that she was 60
ing to stop indoors?
| would ask her on the morrow; with
this reflection I went to my lodging
ard tried to sleep; but that night sleep
was stranger to my weary eyes, and
| could not help thinking of the dark
shadow that had passed over Jim's face
when | had mentioned the name of Ada
Richards.
Did he know anything against her?
would ask him in the morning; but
when daylight appeared, all my gloomy
thoughts vanished with the darkness.
When l met Jim in the evening l
was as cheerful as usual, and we walk
ed arm and arm togther talking and
laughing.
1t was only three miles to my fairy's
house, and Jim and l decided to walk
When we arrived outside the house
In which Ada resided, l saw her stand
ing at the window, and she smiled and
blushed as our eyes met.
lis that her?" asked jim. as we
mounted the steps.
''YeS-is she not prettv?"
eff she is as good as she is beautiful,
you'll have nothing to complain off,
said Jim, as knocked at the door with
trembling hand, for somehow al
ways felt nervous on going to see Ada.
The door was opened, and we walk
ed into the drawing-room.
stAllow me to introduce to you, Mr..
james Winter" l said. HE is the
truest and best friend | have
Hearing that Jim was my best friend
Ada smiled and extended her hand, and
after that we three sat down and chat
ted gaily.
Il could not help NOTICING that Ada