Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-03-18

L .
maid something. Mr.. Barker,
when is your client coming who owns
the hoHse2 I feel as if were an in
truder somehow"
"You are not. The favor is to him.
l have his word for it."
She still fingered. "Mr. Barker,
you have been so kind and good. I
wish I could do something for you. If
can ever will you let me know2"
eyes, Miss Ford"
Efie left the office with queer,
dissatisfied feeling at her heart. Down
the browsing street, filed with lazy
shadows. she strolled. As she turned
a corner she collided with a rakish-
looking youth. He recovered him
self with an apology. There was such
frank look in his bright, blue eyes
that Effie took to him at once. He &C
companied her as far as the gate, open
ed it, and, with a bow, turned toward
the open plaza. ''What a very nice
accommodating boy" was Effie's men
tai comment.
She met the Every nice boy" fre-
quently after this. He was Is and
quite idle. He obtained a convention
introduction-Bert Gwynne was his
name-and he constituted himself
Elites Veritable double. On the street,
at church, Mr.. Bert Gwynne was al
ways present, and he assumed the atti-
tude with such on of-course-it-is- agree
able-to-you-air that Fife became incen
sed and determined to give him piece
of her mind.
One day he commenced to poke fun
oE ESN1I HaIn - TNboro +hn Own
amite exploded.
"He's not DID," she flashed.
''Forty if he's an hour" insisted he,
provokingly.
at say he's not" declared the frank
little lady Anyhow, he's not a pre-
mining boy;" great acrimony in the
slast words.
He'll make you marry him after
a while; now you see. He bought up
every one of those notes." cried the
badly conducted.
"What notes? Tell me?' Fife
was afame.
"Your fathers. Who do you sup
pose paid the debts? Why, Gabe
Barker out of his own pocket. This
very house is his continued he.
You are wicked person, and l
don't believe one word you say" burst
out Effie.
'It isn't such mighty thing after
all. I'd do ever so much more, Efie,
if you'd let me. But you called me
presuming and it made me angry"
$50 you are. I hate you, and I'm
going this minute to Mr.. Barker. :"
She flung on her hat.
| T az ln5c
well able to do it if he Wishes" Bert
desirable, as with that angry pout
and the infinite air Of scorn with
which she regarded him.
"Mr. Barker, is it so? Tell me.
will know" with tear-fushed face
she raided in on him. '"They say that
papa dIed-insolvent, and-you bought
up his no-otes, and tell me" she i'm
plored passionately.
''Efie, don'tl you will be Ill. Who
told you such cruel things:" He shut
fed his papers in agitation.
Bert Gwynne; he says it is the
talk Of the place, and"
. Heavensl What had she almost
said: "He'll make you marry him
after while" He marry her such
an insignificant nobody.
''Efiie, listen; am not going to de-
ny what I have done"
''Then you did OH" She went down
by the stiff old clients chair in a heap
and hid her face in her hands.
"Child, what could do? The cred
itors threatened. There was nothing
to pay them, and you looked so little
and helpless. Besides, it was only
discharging an old obligation. Your
father was very kind to me- when I
was a poor lad. Efiie, don't be
angry"
Sob, sob from the rounds of the
chair.
''Is the house yours, tooi'
"By heavens, E6ie, if you ask nae
anything more, I'll deny everything!"
desperately.
rs it, Isay?" tempestuously.
Eyes"
Gabriel Barker was as abashed as if
he had been confronted with selling
illegal whisky.
''Do you hold those notes?"
''Confound that meddlesome Gwyn-
ne boy; I'll thresh him tomorrow if
live. Yes, Efiie, but they are
yours. I have left them to you in nay
will. Here they are" laying a bundle
in her lap.
Take them away. will not have
Them" she said excitedly. "Unless-
Mr.. Barker-you tell me howl can
pay-you."
"WiE you, if I tell you9"
He opened MS arms and she crent
close his heart whispering:
Eyes, Gabriel"
A Dog That Consulted the Clock,