Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-10

You spend half your time out of the
office reading to her, don't you. She
is perfectly able. of course, TO have a
companion for reading, or nhatever
else. And TO demand it OF you. And
don't be angry wit me-but she
doesn't make the slightest return, I'll
warrant?"
Molly smiled timorously. So far
from being angry, she felt n little joy
full thrill at his concern for her.
No, she hasn't" she said, trying to
look at him, and getting as far as his
shirt-stud '.But I'm sorry for her,
Mr.. johnson. She's all alone in the
world. S hasn't any friends, and
nobody likes her. OF course. she can
be disagreeabIe; but Well, l get on
with her
Nobody but you could" said Phil,
almost tenderIy.
..And," said Molly shyly, I'm soma
comfort to her, ! think; and | couldn's
be cool 10 her-I couldn't"
Il believe you're the sweetest CIR
person in the worldn Phil murmured
n unwilling admiration.
And then Mrs. Cruwell, having COM
pletely subdued the landladv, captured
Molly with single imperative glance,
and coolly bore her away.
IF she would show little gratitude
even," Phil reflected wrathfully. But
she doesn't feel any. Sues a beast"
If he was angry with Mrs. Crowell
at noon, he was wildly eXasperated
tnat evening" He had bought some
theater tickets. and had hurried home
from the office breathlessly to ask
Molly to 90 with him. He never ven
tured so far before, and he was all
warmth and eagerness.
But Mrs. CrOwell was already at
dinner. and Molly was beside her.
She smiled at him brightly, to be sure,
but that, necessarily, was all.
Mrs Crowel, when she was not
making demands of Susan and un-
pleasant little remarks to the board
ers, talked to her continuously in her
aggressive voice.
Phil could not have put in a word
though his life had depended On it.
His good temper did depend on 1t.
He looked across at Molly's crown of
fair hair-it was all he could see of
her, since old Mr.. Smith had secured
his proper place-and grew hot with
grievous wrath and pale with appre-
hension, for he knew it was by no
means probable that he could secure a
moment with her.
He heard Mrs. Crowell's hard tones,
and gazed glaringly at her deep-hued
face, with its unpleasant features.
He refused dessert frowningly, and
got up from the table in something of
a frenzy.
Probably it was through his excited
desperation, he did not know what it
was, or how he did it-but he made a
determined rush, and found himself
presently standing in n corner of the
parIor, with Molly beside him. And
out in the hall Mrs. Crowell was sharp
lv demanding of everybody where Miss
Holden was.
"Well, | did it, Phil whispered,
with his head necessarily close to
Molly's. Gracious! what a dragon
she is. To think of my having actual
ly to kidnap you'll"
They laughed together with a guilty
heartiness which threatened to become
audible.
4 have got some theater tickets,
Miss Molly" said Phil, plunging into
his subject with an impelling fear of
Mrs. Crowell. 81 want to take you.
You'll go? Don't say you won't"
"To-night?' Molly queried, her
bright face clouding quite miserably.
mo, | won't say | won't. | would,
with so much pleasure; butt can't"
You can'tl Oh, Miss Molly, why?"
he questioned with real anguish.
81 don't dare to tell you-not after
your lecture" Molly faltered.
as it Mrs. Crowell?" he said in
wretched divination.
Yes" she responded with soft re-
greet which touched and comforted
him. q promised to stay with her
this evening; she isn't very we'll"
"Well!" said Phil with Il groan.
of tomatoes"
"Yes," Molly admitted gently; "but
that is what she said; and [ promised
20 read to her again. | am so sorry"
care you sorryP" Phil queried. eff l
thought that-see, here, Miss Molly,
Pm going to put an end to my misery.
| can only see you once week, that S
plain; Pm resigned to that" he re-
marked with a sort of tender grimness.
but | want to know that-that it's all
right, anyhow; then guess can stand
it. I've been in love with you ever
since saw you, Molly, and want to
marry you, There! that's plain. OF
course, | can't marry you now haven't
anything TO get married on; but shall
have You'll see! I'll work for it, and
| it wont be long Mollvr
For he knew, with one happy glance
ut her face, that the loveliest girl in
tne world was his own.
And he hardly knew when the portsere
parted, and Mrs. Crowells stern
countenance promuded itself, and
Molly was swept away.
1t was not because he had much hope
of seeing her that he fingered in the
parlor after breakfast next morning;
for Mrs. Crowell had not been at the
breakfast-table, and neither had Molly,
and he was moderately certain that
the former was indisposed. and that
Molly was with her.
He waited few minutes before 90
ing TO the office, though, to think over
his happiness he had lain awake al!
night, from inability to think of any
thing else. But he was by no means
ready to stop thinking.
He was surprised and overioyed.
therefore. when the curtains parted
and Molly came in, with a little ex-
clamatiOn of gladness at the sight OF
him.
He sprang to meet her, and then
gazed at her in alarm.
What is il, Molly? What nave Won
been crying about9'' he questioned
Molly sat down on the sofa and