Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-20

day, and you'll blush for me, [ know,
when tell you that | actually stood
there and began to whimper. Yes,
! positively / did, and I couldn't help it,
either. And what did he do? Well,
the first thing was that he stepped
little nearer, and held his nice big
umbrella over me, then he lifted his
hat in the most graceful manner i'm
aginable, and he said: MY dear
young lady, [ beg ten thousand par
/ dOns; and | am more than sorry to have
! been so awkward as to cause this acct
dent. What was in the fask?' he
asked, glancing down. [ told him,
and then he fairly insisted on going
and getting another one filled for me;
but, of course, I could not permit that,
| so when he saw how much in earnest [
was he did not urge me further but
said: We'll, at least you'll let me re-
lieye you Of some Of your packages,
and allow me the pleasure of seeing
| you safely home, some one else may 90
even further than did and knock all
your packages out Of your arms
''Well, he was so very polite and
| charming about it all, and did look so
handsome and distinguished at the
time, and his beautiful eyes were SC
eloquent that naturally I gave my con-
| sent. And now, who do you suppose
he is, after alp" Cleo demands, paus.
ing to take breath. "'Here is his card"
with very elaborate flourish: Julian
Van Ness, at your ladyship's service"
''Why, why, Cleo, you don't really
mean that he is the Julian Van Ness
that used to live at uncle's, and that
we romped and played together with?"
quite breathless.
''The same, madam" with over
Whelming dignity.
''Why, Cleo" And after this eiacu-
lation the young lady seems to subside
into blank and profound amazement,
and Cleo, quite elated with the effect
she has produced, continues"
Eyes, it is the very same youth.
| Didn't [ keep telling how familiar his
face seemed? Well, he still makes
uncle's house his home, and has gone
into business for himself, and he has
just returned from Europe-been there
sixmonths- and is immensely wealthy.
How he ever kept from laughing in
my face when [ was so utterly crushed
about that wine, I'm sure / can't think
That's somebody at the door"
She flies to open it and comes face to
face with q huge colored gentleman.
Eyes, [ am Miss Cleo Heath" she
informs him; then he puts a great
bunch of freshly cut, deWy flowers in
her hand, sets a good-sized demijohn
inside the door, bows to the bewil6ered
young ladies and vanishes as mysteri-
ously as he came.
'WelI, did you eyer?" Janet cries,
eXcitedly.
''Wait until | read this note" Cleo
makes answer, land we will probably
| be enlightened:
70 Miss Cleo and her sister, with my
compliments, and q heartfelt wish that
both the flowers and the wine may cheer
! your hearts and make you happy. Very
| sincerely, your old friend,
JULIAN VAN Ness.
There now! Was every anything
more charmingly done? Didn't tell
you he was the nicestm man / ever met?n
looking with worshipful eyes at the
| flowers.
Two days later there came another
exquisite bouquet and note in which
tickets are inclosed for lecture.
''What are the tickets for, Cleo?n
''They are for a lecture that is to be
given this evening at Temple Hall, and
he hopes to see us there. How is it
with you jamie? Do you think you
are able to walk so far?'
Far? Why, its only very little
distance. [ went much further than
that this morning. Let's get ready"
Twenty minutes later they find them
selves nicely seated in the brilliantly
lighted hall. There is asplendid atl-
diCnce, and when the grave, digniied
lecturer appears he is greeted with
burst of applause. His subject is
''Spiritualism and Thought Reading"
A committee has been selected to see
that there is no black art practiced,
and to assist the lecturer. Cleo gives
little start of surprise, and the pink
in her eyes grows into a deeper, love-
lier hue, when she makes the discov-
cry that Julian Van Ness is on the
stage. And not only that, but the
clever lecturer has hidden him to Sc
lect some one whom he knows in the
audience, and fix his mind upon him,
and he (the thought reader) will con-
duct the young man to that person.
Julian meekly obeys this master mind.
He leads poor Julian merry dance
for a time, but suddenly he starts off
with a full purpose in his eyes, and in
two seconds the youngman is standing
behind Cleo's chair, and Cleo's face is
like rose. There are great many wise
and knowing smiles exchanged when
it is discovered where that very distin-
guished looking gentleman's thoughts
had wandered
That distinguished looking gentle
man pays not the slightest heed, how
ever. In fact, he is happily uncon-
Scious that there has been quite a COM
motion caused among his party when
he is seen leaning over a charming
young lady's chair.
He bends down and greets them, and
then tells them in low tone of voice
that he had simply been obliged to
come there with some friends, but that
he would not be forced TO leave with
them, so, if agreeable to the sisters, he
would be most happy to see them
home. 1t is totally unnecessary for
me to chronicle their reply. as there
was but one answer possible.
On their way thither Julian amuses
them immensely by relating how he
! beNildered the lecturer.
You see l had my mind fully fixed
on Charlie Howard, but just at that
critical moment l discovered Miss
Cleo'S face in the audience, and''-
with boyish franhness-'' the life of
me l couldn't get my thoughts back on
Charlie again. Humiliating, isn't it,
to have so little mind that there isn't