Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-04

nounced James; ga Miss Mildew."
Here was a pretty ENHANCEMENT.
What on earth had brought her along
before her tine2 Of course, that other
woman IN the dining-room would
hear her and know the meaning OF
her visit. I was growing very hot,
indeed.
''Show her into the library, James, y
[ stammered.
''Don't mind me-" again said Miss
White, applying her handkerchief to
her eyes; ''please don't mind me. I'm
used to being left alone I'm only an
unfortunate single woman, without a
friend in the world. I think it only
right you should know that also"
Your parents said I, making a
frantic attempt to get to business;
were"
"'Most respectable people, but un-
fortunate. Yes; it's only right you
should know that
Another lady to see you, sir" an
nounced James.
This time the rascal was certainly
smiling.
I knew quite well ne was thinking
of my wife. I knew, also, that her
appearance upon the scene would just
about finish me off, but I had no
reason TO apprehend anything SO
dreadful.
Miss White had a clearer idea of the
situation. She looked at nae In the
same reproachful way as before, and
then composed herself in that attitude
of patient resignation which made me
feel as if were doing her possible
injury.
''What room is vacant, James7r I
asked hurriedly, ''Is any room va
cant?"
"Only the ooudoir, sir"
'"Then show who did you say it
was?"
Mrs. Dark, SIR"
''ShOw her in there"
ooh, don't let me deta1n you," said
Miss White, humbly. I'm not used
to OBTAINING people"
And then, as if the thought was too
much for ner, this most depressing
woman burst into a food of tears.
By the time that my fifth visitor ar
rived, an event which happened very
shortly after the arrival of Mrs. Dark
I was well nigh distracted. There
really was no room for this last wo-
man. [ could not have two Of them
gossiping together, and, perhaps,
quarreling, SO I was compelled to ask
Mrs. HeslOp to wait in the hall. It
was very rude, but what else could I
do? Besides, such inconvenience as
she suffered was entirely her own
fault - her eagerness to secure the
post having brought her two hours
before her proper time.
"Mics White" / said, feeling at last
secure from any further interruption.
'tare you-pray excuse q necessary
questi0n-are you really kleptoma-
niac?"
I put the question bluntly, because
I was convinced that no woman who
had SO many tears at her command
could possess the GOODNESS essential to
successful piIfering, and my only OBJ
ject now was to get her out Of the
house. Instead Of replying she sobbed
more bitterly than ever. It was dis
tressing to watch and listen to her.
Looking around desperately for some
handle to use against her, [ felt q
rude shock. My gold vace had disap-
peareG.
From that moment my opinion of
Miss White underwent 8 profound
change. [ rushed, perhaps wrongly,
to the other extene, and set her down
SIS 8 most artful woman, whose weak
ness was assumed to cover her nefar-
iOus designs. Naturally enough I
Eo1+ ~
placed a high value upon the vase.
There could be no doubt as to what
had become Of it. For what other
purpose could she have brought that
suspicious looking black bag2
You have answered my question,
admit" said ], with feeble attempt
at jocularIty, Sin s. very practical
manner. never saw you take that
vase Miss White; it was, cleverly
done withoat doubt"
She dried her tears and looked at
me with mournful surprise.
II am not used to being told that [
do things cleverly," she said. You
are the first who has told me that
since my poor mother died. But what
thing do yoa mean."
why" [ replied, trying to smile,
my gold vase which you have put
in your bag"
DO you accuse me of stealing2"
she asked.
Notwithstanding the flood Of tears
which she held in reserve somewhere,
I saw then that there vas Ere in the
woman. The doleful features hard
ened, the eyes glittered dangerously.
She sat erect. but still with folded
hands. Dreading a scene I answered
somewhat hastily:
mo, no; by no means. It is an ex-
cellent conjuring trick, bat nothing
more"
Because" she said severely, ST
am used to being insulted; I am used
to being trodden upon, but I have
never been so insulted or so trodden
upon as that-at least By a gentle
man"
Then" 7 said when I could in
some measure collect my thoughts,
you don't know what has become of
J the vases"