Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-19
RECONCILED AT LAST.
"Do Won like Walter Adamsp'

''Do you like Walter Adamsp
81 have nothing against him, Win
ME. He is an honest, spectacle young
man." was the reply.
He asked me to marry him last
night, Harry" said Winnie Cutter,
hiding her blushing face on her
brothers shoulder.
WHAT" exclaimed Harry. ga
young girl like you, only seventeen,
thinking of matrimony? What answer
did you give, pussP"
ooh, Harry! l love him." replied
Winnie.
''You do?" asked Harry, in trifing
tone. 81 did not know you loved any
body but me"
81 do" replied Winnie. 81 love
Walter Adams; and when he asked
me if [ loved him, l told him the
truth"
How old is Walter, Winnie?"
"Twenty-two, Harry. Why?"
Nothing" replied her brother alb
stractedly, gazing into the fire.
1t was cold December twilight; but
the room was cosy where Harry Cutter
was seated in an easy chair before the
CRATE. Winnie was standing beside
the char, with one fair hand resting
upon her brothers shoulder, the other
hanging listlessly by her side.
Harry Cutter had been left an orphan
at the age of twenty. His parents
were wealthy and every comfort wealth
could give was lavisped upon him.
About this time a malignant disease
broke out in the city where his parents
I. 6, a., 4 Il,
sickened with it and died.
A month later his mother gave birth
to daughter; but before the little
Winnie was an hour old, she was
motherless. Harry procured a nurse
for the babe, and soon she grew to be q
gay, lively, fascinating child!
She regarded her brother more IN
the light of father, or guardian, and
he in return watched over her with all
the tenderness of a brother, mingled
with the love and devotion of a fond
father.
Come, Harry, why don't you speak?
You have been silent at least ten min
utes. What are you thinking about?
questioned Winnie, anxiOusly.
Il was thinking, Winnie" he replied,
''what YOU and Walter are going to do,
if YOU get married. He has only his
clerkship."
Il know it, Harry" said Winnie,
+ we intend to wait wear, at least.
You will consent to our union ther
will you not?"
Yes, Winnie, and / should not
withhold my consent now, if you wish
to be married, for [ know of no man
more worthy of my sister than Walter
Adams"
81 am happy to hear you speak SO,
Harry, for your manner towards
Walter has always been so reserved
that | did not know whether you liked
him or not.
A silence ensued for few moments.
which was broken only by the monot
Onous ticking of the old clock on the
mantel. At length Harry spoke:
Would you and Walter like to be
married nowP"
Eyes, indeed" replied Winnie, the
rose tint deepening upon her cheeks.
while her brother smiled at her ear
nestness. ''Walter said, last night she
continued, ''that he did not wish to
wait a year; but under the circum-
stances we cannot do otherwise"
Eyes, you can, Winnie. Half of
the fortune our father left is yours.
Next Thursday will be Christmas.
You can be married then, and live
here with your husband. What say
you to this arrangement
do you really mean it, Harry?'
asked Winnie in a surprised tone.
s'Of course l do, or | should not have
said it, p" replied Harry.
"Oh, how happy we shall bew MUIR
INJURED Winnie almost inaudibly.
After a pause of few minutes, she
suddenly asked:
How old are you, Harry thirty
seven?"
Yes, Winnie, was the reply.
''Were you ever in love, Harry"
was the next question.
''What strange questions you ask,
Winnie! What put that idea into your
head?"
81 have often wondered, Harry.
why you never married." returned
Winnie. ''But tell me, were you ever
in love.
Eyes, Winnie, I loved once. But
we will not talk of that now-some
time | will tell you all about it."
please tell me now" said Winnie
coaxingly.
'.Well, will, since you desire it.
"When [ was young man, / loved
woman named Lucy Alcott, and her
parents had appointed the day of our
marriage. She was twenty years of
age, beautiful accomplished woman.
with kind word and smile for every
body.
''She was the only woman I ever
loved, and I think she reciprocated
my love; but I am not sure. Once
was absent from home for a week at
tending to business in a distant city;
while | was gone Lucy attended a /
party with young man who did not
bear a good reputation. On my return
/ heard of it, and Immediately called |
TO see her. She greeted me affection
ately. as was her wont, but I was
angry, and upbraided her harshly for
her thoughtlesS conduct.
Why did you attend Mrs. Lor-
ing's party with Charles Baker?' I
asked.
g Because I wanted to. did not !
think there was any harm in it, she