Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-13

friendship between his future wife and
Captain Wyatt. As Jack was coming out
of the opera-houSe one evening, with Deb
on his arm, Captain Wyatt ran against
them. Turning, with smile, to apologize
for his clumsiness, he caught sight Of Deb,
and the smile at once disappeared from his
lips Jack felt the girls hand tremble on
his arm, and when he looked at her she
was deathly pale. The young fellow in
stantly formed resolution, which he af-
forwards kept.
The next evening Jack received a mes
sage to say that Deb had such bad head
ache that she would be unable TO go tc
Mrs. Danyer's s'At Home" and would
Jack go with Mrs Brooke and Felicia, OF
would he go by himself later on? He
sent an answer, saying that he would go
alone.
Mrs. Brooke and Felicia had just left
the mouse, when Mr.. Ffolliott's name waa
announced to Deb, who was lying on a
sofa.
Don't let me disturb you, Deb" he
said. Hoy is your head?"
st is rather bad" she answered, feeling
vaguely surprised that he only shook hands
with her
II want to speak to you about some
thing, Deb. Do you feel well enough &c
bear a little conversation tonight? !
should not ask you, but l so rarely get q
chance Of seeing you alone"
81 am well enough to hear anything you
like to say, jack
'SDo you know we have been engaged
five years." he began abruptly.
She started, and her cheeks flushed Wv
idly.
Il know" she said, in low tone.
do you not think it is time we were
married." he asked, regarding her intent
ly.
s'If you WISH" she faltered
'sAnd you will marry me when I like?'
he went on, mercilessly.
stYes, when you like" she answered, sc
softly that he had to stoop to catch hel
words
He laughed melancholy laugh, and
stood up suddenly.
Deb, my DEAR" he said, 81 am not 60
ing to ask any such sacrifice at your hands
and I came here tonight to tell you thai
/ release you from your engagement tt
me. You are free to marry whom YOU
please
Deb cosId restrain her tears no longer
and Jack drew her head against his Shout
der in quite brotherly fashion and ls
her cry on,
You poor little Deb!t' he said, strokinx
her hair gently. *'You know, my dear
that five years ago you; and l made 8 grea
| mistake: butt / was far more to blame thai
you, Tor was years older. [ must ,hav
| been mad to aTlew atchild like you to en-
gage yourself TO me; you were far to-
young to know your own mind / wan
to remedy the wrong, and to see you lool
like yTeITr dear bright little self again
Give me your confidence, my dear, ant
| tell me Did you.a Wyatt care fer eacl
ethe1.gn
| Yes she whispered family.
81 ssyn a bunglingeld fool!'' he sfEid, will
Il sigh. fought to have found cut Ions
ago from yo1lr letters that you had ceased
to care for me. Ishall go away to-mor
/ row, and ySu must lose no time in an
4 noTuncing TIE fact2ta at our engagement il
| at an end. wyatt will come back in time.
! Never" sobbed Deb; and then she TOLD
him all that had occurred between Captain
Wyatt and herself
'tze VIII not listen to a word ofeexplana
/ Gion-he reburned unopened letter wrote
| to him. lie told Felicia that he never
waRted'tesee or speak to me again. made
| her tell me"
THAT was in the excitement Of the
moment; he willffsrgive you in'tine."
'NeMer"' repeated Deb, hopeleasly.
We'll, mustibe off. Mrs Danver is {
! relative of WyatG2s, is she notf'7
YES; aEsd thatsis partly why 4 did moi
NDalEt to sc tonight
AT what tinle~shall you goite yhed?"
Il shall not gofill Aunt Catherine anG
| Felicia reta1rn: they said they'd leave early
Besides, OF what'lsse is it to gotoibed wheI
only lie,aevake:''
We'll, dear, / hope you Will nss bother
ab0zzt me, Gor. if it Zyil1 make you any hap
1 pier and if twill ease your conscience,
win tell yesa something-I love you still
/ but only;tss "a cousin. Goodnight, dear
Prepare yourselffGr good news
About half-past ten Jack returned tt
Mrs. Bro0lze's house, and this time he wa:
not saIone.
She is in the drawing room, ~ yatt,
| he saad to his compagion; ''and [ skall give
You Glly .hag an hour, old fellow anC
with that Jack opened the door, peeped il
TO make sure shat Deb was still there, anG
then. giving Wyatt Il gentle push, CLOSED
the door after him, anil strolled Off 10 the
| billiard room for Il smoke.
Dick Wyatt stood still for a few mo-
@ents, and looked at Deb with sorrewfu
eyes. She W as lying back in an armchair
where, Rg0rn out with crying, she had fall
en- fast axleev He saw there were traces
of tears Oh her cheeks, as he crossed the
room and knelt down by her side. Taer
he took ONE little hand and pressed his lips
upon it.
''Debt'7 he said, softly.
She stirred uneasily in her sleep, and
with a long-drawn sigh, murmured-
'Have you come back to reproach me?'
Then she opened her eyes, and looked al
him, half dazed and Serror-stricken. HeI
breath came in quick short gasps, and the
next moment she found herself in his
arms and her face was being covered with
kisses.
"My poor little darling, what a brute
Save been to your
'But you forgive me now, Dick?"
at is l." he answered, "Who ought to
ask forgiveness"
How Jack had gone to Mrs. Danver's
how he had met Wyatt and insisted on
speaking to him, how well he pleaded
Deb's cause, how they left Mrs. Danver's
ana came straight 10 fdfk Idle-du Cn1S
Deb heard afterwards. At the time she
was content with the knowledge that Dick
still loved her.
Nearly an hour had passed when Jack
entered the drawing-room with much rat
Ting of the door-handle.
Well" he cried, cheerily, ''and have
you two people come to your senses at
last?"
Il do not know what you have said to
Dick to bring him to his said Deb, calm
~.
..Put before him the advantages he