Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-08
LOVE IN MASQUERADE.

LON IL IN VI MASQUERADE.
Bob Russell turned over with a yawn
and threw down the paper whose
sporting columns he had been study
ing.
He was on the green cambric-coyered
lounge in his Aunt Sarah Briscomb's
cool dim sitting-room. He found it
very comfortable after morning of
rowing and bicycling. Each after
noon of the five days he had sojourned
in Westfeld had found him there, read
ing OF sleeping.
He had concluded that Westfeld was
a first-class place for summer Yaca-
ton when a fellow was tired out with
q long siege of city newspaper work.
Aunt Sarah was in the porch, her
placid face just beginning to cool from
the heat Of dinner-getting, and her
specialized eyes slowly closing.
Bob, looking out at her, was falling
into a like drowsness, when phaeton
pulled up briskly at the gate, and q
young person stepped out of it, who,
once seen, dispelled the last yes
tige of BOb's sleepiness.
He sat up promptly, straining his
eyes for better view.
''WelI!' Aunt Sarah called out, in
gratifed tones, pulling herself back
from the verge Of her nap, and getting
glad to see you, Miss Stone. | wasn't
certain you'd come to-day. I've got
my butter all ready, though, and you
can have rs many eggs as you want"
Miss Stone hitched her horse, and
came up the path and took a wide
porch-chair.
Bob congratulated himself on its
position. 1t gave him a good view of
the young lady's very sweet face.
Its 50 warm" she said, tanning
herself with stylish little fan
Bob observed that her dress and her
bonnet were surprisingly pretty for
Wcsllield.
80 tbs, Aunt Sarah agreed. 81
thought likely you'd stay at your I'M
cles and sit out in the hammock and
read, or something. It's just the day
for it,
Miss Stone frowned gently.
i never sit i'll the hammock" she
said with pretty seriousness; Il have
no time for it,
well. there" cried Aunt Sarah, be-
F.. ginning to laugh; Il forgot all about
your notions, Miss Stone; or there. /
won't call en- notions. I'll call 'em
principles. You're just as tickled over
the country rs ever?n
just" cried Miss Stone, smiling
good-tempercdly.
''And you get Up at four O'Clock every
morning yet?"
And sometimes earlier"
Aud YOU keep on helping your Aunt
Mirandy with the work? You help get
breakfast, and help get dinner. and
And bake-ycs, I've learned to
make bread, said Miss Stone. trium-
phautly. ''And l MIXED last night; |
MIXED real straight. too, only Il little
went out of the pail"
Aunt Sarah was laughing silently.
And you don't want to get back
home-sure you don't?" she queried
''Oh, no!' Miss Stones gloved hands
elasped themselves impctuously. Il
never want to see the city again-ney-
er! This is such lovely life-so per-
feet!"
YOU'RE just the same, sure enough, "
Aunt Sarah observed, wipinG her
dampened glasses. Il reckoned you'd
get over it. Well. do you think just
as much of Hank Grimes as ever?"
''Oh, our boy?' Miss Stone grimaced
laughingly. Now you know what 1
meant | said that he was honest, and
faithful, and Industrious; that he had
all the qualities of a gentleman, ex-
cept good-breeding. and that | should
Of foil f.,
husband, said Miss Stone, getting be-
comingly pink in her earnestnesS, TO
a frivolous, fippant-minded city man
they're all frivolous and tippant-
minded!' Miss Stone tapped the arm
of her chair decisively ''And no lack
of birth, and station, and wealth should
prevent my marrying an honest worthy
young man. l think l might prefer
one with some worldly disadvantages;
could lift him up" said Miss Stone
seriously.
Well, yes; you could support the
family" Aunt Sarah assented, with
chuckling gaze on her visitors pretty
diamond brooch and earrings.
Yes, could lift him." Miss Stone
repeated gently. But Hank Grimes
Il don't quite like red hair, and cross
ed eyes, and freckles, all together; and
| believe he is deeply devoted to Mary
Ann Simmons, besides"
Miss Stone laughed sweetly and
dimplingly, as She rose to follow Aunt
Sarah to the dairy.
Bob Russell sat in reflective stiffness
during the ten minutes which passed
before Miss Stone went out at the gate
with basket of eggs and a pail OF but
tel and drove away.
He rushed to the window to watch
her-a slender and charming figure,
with a peachy face, against the dark
background of the phaeton. He felt
a sudden regret. which amounted TO
poignant anguish, that he was friv-
olous fiippant-minded city man.
Miss Stone was very favorably i'm
pressed with Mrs. Briscomb's new
hired man. She met him the next
time she drove after butter and eggs.
Mrs. Briscomb persuaded her to stay
to supper, and the hired man had I'M
eXpectediy presented himself at the
table.
He was very pleasant-looking
most handsome, in spite of his rough