Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-12


six months when her dear particular
friend, Julia Mercer, came to visit her.
And she extended a most cordial greet
ING to the new conner.
Not that ever have been the least
bit lonesome, stoutly protested Lefty.
Charley can bear witness to that.
How could | be lonesome with Charley?
But he is out good deal, you see, and
it is change from the old bustling
life of the store in Grand-street, with
the customers crowdino in Of Satur-
day night, and the little cash-girls
chattering, and all tue streets SO gay
and full of life!'
TO be sure, you would feetit just at
first" said Miss Mercer.
She and Lefty had been shop-girls
together for five weary years. She
was still grinding away at the same
old mill, but Lefty had escaped from
it through the gate of marriage.
'.Such a contrast from this time last
year, isn't i!r' cried gleeful Lefty as
She danced about the wide halls and
great hi9h-cciIed rooms of her new
home. De y0u remember that little
cupboard under the stairs ut Mrs
Nooklcys clearinghouse. where we
used to sircp? and the dark closet
where we kept our drcses2 and tie
cold pork that we used to rave for dim
ner, and the heavy bread that we
couldn't eat? But we're not going to
live III this big ouse for good and all,
Julia. Charley is going to build a nice
little cottage down on the banks of the
river. We have got lots of sites to
choose from, for there are two hundred
acres here in the place his uncle be-
queathcd him; and this old stone man
sion is to be remodeiled. Such a lot Of
rooms as there are, and a half-a-dozen
ghosts in them, | dare say; and big
garnet over the whole top of the house,
and cellar divided into arched stone
compartments, and view from the
upper windows, the prcttiest you ever
saw. Oh, we'll have such a nice time
going over the house tomorrow, dear!
But now come down to supper
Amanda has broiled some chickens,
and I've gathered some watercresses
myself out Of the brook, and the coffee
smells perfectly delicious. Amanda
makes such good coffee.
Amanda, the servant, was plump
gOOd-natured woman, old enough TO be
Letty's mother, and luckily was dis
posed to be very indulgent with her in
experienced little employer.
i don't exactly fancy this picnic
style o life, sad she. Folks can't
settle down when they know they've
got to move within the year. But |
calculate this sort o thing won't last
for ever, and SO | tells Mrs. Dorand.
Well get Strengthened out arter a
while
.Its yerv pleasant. though" said
Lefty, I'VE have such delightful
walks, Charlie and I; and such nice
drives; and we talk over all our plans
for the future. Charlie hasn't a secret
from me.
Amanda, washing up her dishes at
she table, chuckIed at the words.
ats all very we'll for new married
folks 10 talk that way" said she. But
| don't believe there's woman livu'
shat can say that truthfUIIy."
Say what?' said Lefty
That her ushaud hasn't single
secret from her. I'm a widder, YOU
know" explained Amanda. I've been
married twice. And so, you see, I'd
ortcr hey some experience"
Julia and Lefty both laughed. as
Amanda carried off pile of plates
and proceeded to deposit them in tue
kitchen cupboard. But still the words
ranked in the brides breast.
She remembered them afterwards.
The two Young women had pro-
tracted ramble over the old house the
next day. 1t was very ancient edifice,
built years and years ago, with here
bay window, there a two-storyed ad-
dition, yonder an extra room added on,
just as the fancy of the respective
owners had dictated. But there was
one great square room upstairs in the
north wing which was locked.
"Bluebeards chamber!" cried Julia
merrily.
Nothing of the sort" cried Lefty
''Of course there's a key in my bunch
20 fit it.
But there was none.
>'Ill ask Charley" said Mrs. Dorand.
Charley" tall good-looklng fell
low, with very black whiskers, and
eyes full of laughing light. scratched
his head.
The key to the north room?' said
he. Isn't it in the fock?"
If It was, said Lefty, ''do YOU
think l should be asking for it?"
i must try and hunt it up" said he.
And then he began to talk about the
croquet-match which was to come off
down the river next day, and the sub
ject was dropped.
Twice afterwards Lefty asked him
for the key; twice he assured her that
he would certainly take steps to find
it; and Lefty began to be quite cross
about it.
''And all this fuss about key!" said
he lifting his eyebrows.
Remember Bluebeard's keys" said
Miss Mercer.
She had spoken us women often do
speak, without the preliminary cere-
sorry for precipitancy when she saw
the sudden color mount to Mr.. Dorand's
brow
Nonsense" said he CURLY.
''Of course its nonsensew she cor
hIally acquiesced.
But. nevertheless, the silence that
followed was little awkward.
He went away the next morning to
be gone several DAYS
1--WE a little business that must be
attended to" said he. land I'd better
take the opportunity while Letty's
friend : here to keep her company.