Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-09

the law on We. I've said I'd do it with
the first one l ketched in my peaches.
and here We be-
it?" Beth gasped.
1.-TWO of We. be there?n said Mr.. Null
let, eyeingh her sharply. '.Yes'm, that's
my name.'
1--WE thought. nsaid Beth affrightedlv,
''that this was Uncle Johns place. We
wouldn't have thought of getting your
peaches. Mr. Mullet"
''Ye can't get around me that way,
young woman!' said Mr.. Mullet
with sarcasm. "rm going to have the
law on We; said l should, and | will.
You can get ready to 90 long to the
jestice's with me; that's where ye're
going"
'sSir, said Frank Indignantly, "do
you doubt this young lady's word?"
''Well, rather" Mr.. Mullet respond
ed gruffiy.
But you know my Uncle John Cor
don, don't you?n Beth implored. He
lives next door. And won't you be-
ieve me?n
''Yes'm;I know ohm Gordon enough
to know you amt no kin O. hiS-uos
much" said Mr.. lIetirately. Come
now, yell find mean what l say. I'm
going to take We to the iestice.n
you'll allow me to settle with you,
won't you, Mr. Mullet?n said Frank
with amused eyes. Il hadn't taken
any peaches. [ believe l brushed one
to the ground, and you'll probably find
it there; but in case it was injured, al
low me to reimburse YOU"
He held out a coin to the scoWling
old man.
mo. sir" said Mr.. Mullet with surly
obstinacy-s'no, sir. I'm goin to have
things settled 'cording to my notions
I'm going to have the satisfaction of
the law"
He tied the dog to the tree, and stood
grimly waiting.
Frank got over the fence coolly.
''Never mind, Miss Moody he wbis-
pcred, drawing her arm through his
own. Don't be distressed = don't,
please. OF course you know the JUS
tice?"
ooh yes-Squaire Dowell," Beth re-
joined strangely quoted by his unex-
cited tones and his gently-protecting
air.
''Well, of course q word from you
will be enough. Theignorant old cur
mudgeon will get the worst of it; and
nobody will hear of it in all probabili-
ty. Don't you see? There isn't the
slightest cause for alarm, Miss Moody.
Why, [ regard it as quite q joke. It
would have been rather dull if some
thing hadn't happened"
And Beth, soothed and cOmforted des-
pite herself, found herself smiling with
him.
''Well, Mr.. Mullet?' said Frank
briskly, and all three went forward.
OF course it was embarrassing for
Henry, standing at the corner with the
Dowells, whom he and Miss Knapp
had met, and seriously discussing the
weather and like eminently proper
topics-of course it was embarrassing,
the sudden appearance of his cousin,
his tG1acee, and Mr.. Mullet-Mr. Null
let, common old person to whom he
had never even spoken!
And the ensuing occurrences were
still more embarrassing.
His relative of his-and the
young lady he was to marry, in such
Il predicament!
It made no difference that it was all
smoothly stttled-that everybody, with
the exception of himself, was laugh
ING quite wildly, and that even Mr..
Mullet departed finally, grimly smil-
ing.
1t made no difference; he was
shocked, offended, seriously displeased.
He took Beth's arm as they turned
homeward.
'sYou appear to consider it a mere
joke Beth,'' he said severely.
But 1T was funny, Henry" said
Beth mirthfully.
cit was an absurdly unidentified af-
fair!" Henry pronounced with stern
ness. cit was highly discreditabIe
If it should become known, [ should
be deeply mortified. lam by no means
pleased"
Beth walked at his side silently for
while. Then she drew her arm from
his, and drew his ring from her hand,
and put it into his own.
Don't think l am angry with you,
Henry" she said gently. Il am not,
truly. 1t was ridiculous, and you
have right to be annoyed. 1t isn't
that. But think am beginning to
see-that [ could never be happy with
you. am not suited to you, don't
you see? l am afraid we should both
be quite miserable"
''No-non' said Henry, amazed and
conciliatory.
Yes, am sure of it," said Beth
quietly.
We'll, am very much astonished,"
said Henry with dignity.
Possibly he was not so much aston
ished when his cousin Frank stayed two
weeks longer than he had intended to,
and once gone continued to come back
with startling frequency; and also
when, u few months later. he knew
that he was going to marry Beth.
And, with sudden recognition of
the fitness of things, he gave his dia-
mond ring to Miss Knapp. who took
and kept it.
A Lovers Stratgem.