Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

seat in the car, for the one she row occu-
pied.
81 wonder if he does know me- OF
course he dosen't, only he don't seem
very eager to say anything to me-" Then
little fragrantly perfumed handker-
chief futtered accidently (?) to the floor.
Jessie made deceitful little dive after
it displaying her daintily kidded hand,
and round, neatly cuffed wrist.
Rich quickly anticipated her, and
handed the handkerchief quietly to her.
"Allow me, madam"
ooh, thank you! I am sorry to trouble
you so much. It was very awkward"
"Jessie's cheeks were blushing furiously
under her double dark brown veil,
81 will give him a chance" she
thought.
But Mr.. Wintringham only bowed
gravely, and maintained courteous 81
| lence.
The train slowed up, and Jessie, with
persistent determination to draw him in
| to conversation, made feint OF alarm
that amused herself as she peered out of
| the window, then at her seat mate.
"What are We stopping for? This isn't
| a station-oh! is anything the matter?"
/
suce an odd one.
! "There is no need of apprehension,
madam. We ara entering the tunnel"
"The tunnel! Oh, dear, the tuzneI!'
! But Rich didn't ''take" at all. He only
settled coziIy back and slouched his seal
| skin hat on his forehead, leaving his COM
panion to fight the immaginary terrors of
the tunnel as best she might.
/ Tho train had nom To itS Anal STAND
still at the depot a just as Wintring-
ham arose to leave { car he felt the
timid touch of fingers on his coatsleeve.
"Please pardon me-bUs-but-there is
g ferry boat to cross in-lsn't there? and
if you would be so kind as to tell me
which way to the st. Julian hotel?"
Rich buttOred up his overcoat deliber-
ately while she spoke.
"The st. Julian?' I am going there
myself madam. If you are unacoon.
panied will see you. This way please
At last Jessie's cheeks were as hot as
fire now, and her eyes as bright as stars as
she walked the long depot and ferry
house beside her husband. In the ladies
cabin Rich gave her seal, then left to
| join a group of men who were conversing
near the door, and at the New York dock
he escorted her to st. Julian transfer
| coach, much as if she had been child in
| his charge, whom he was bound TO do his
| duty by, and yet considered somewhat of
a nuisance. AS it happened the coach
had other passengers, so the hot color had
time to die from out Jessie's face, al
! though she mentally regarded him ga
| provoking fellow"
Of you please, sir, an answer is want
edm
One of the walters at the st. Julian
handed tiny note to Mr.. Rich Wintring-
ham just after that gentleman had in
| specte6 the arrangements of his room and
was settled down for a half hours examin-
alton of suudry pf pers in his nemoran-
dunn book.
can answer! letter for mech, yes,
| from Ned Hartway about the shares"
| His eyes opened widely as he carelessIy
| tore it open, to find not business com
munication from Ned Hartway but a
dainty little note, in graceful flowing
| back hand.
To the gentleman IN the SeoL- skin cap:
You have made me to desire very much to see
you again. Is there not time to attend the thea
| tire. YOUR LADY ADMIRER.
Rich drew long breath of surprise.
$50 that's the little game, is it,"
Then he rapidly wrote an answer and
dispatched it by the man, who grinned
knowingly as he received twenty-five
cent stamp from Jessie's trembling
fingers.
Nov, then, I've caught him this time.
Suppose he consents"
The ebbing color on her cheeks, the
quiveriug of her pretty mouth, was am
pie evidence of the state of her feelings
and she opened the sealed envelope as
one does a telegram, trying to assure
ones self nothing is amiss, and yet feel
| ing it necessary to be prepared for the
| worst.
Permit the gentleman in the seal-skin
| cap to offer word of counsel to the
lady admirer'-that, in future, she learn
TO distinguish between gentleman and
3 scamp; and, when she returns home,
which had better be at once, she confess
her imprudence to her mother"
Jessie gave a little cry of delight.
erich, nv OWL true Rich"