Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-25


took sugar and milk. Young Compton in
sation; he wondered how he coul5 have
displeased her.
Tea was over and the dishes washed
but still George did not come. Hetty
hung the dish-toBel On the nail and came
into the front hall. She stood listening.
but the gate did not click; there was no
step On the porch. When a young man
tells you that be has something particu-
lar, very particular, to say to you, ap-
points certain time in which to say It,
and then is tardy, one may well be vexed.
At this moment the door of the parlor
opened and the young minister came
out. He started On seeing Hetty alone,
and, after looking around, approached
her.
"Miss Darrell" he said, shave I offend
ed your
"What do you mean?" asked Hetty.
Il thought from Jour manner at sup
per-"
sob! you mustn't judge from my man
ner," gaily interrupted Hetty, 'perhaps I
burnt my to4gue."
She tilted up her pretty head saueily
and with dimpling smile. She felt no
more conjunction on Georges account,
he deserved Furnishing.
81 am sorry you burnt your tongue"
said the young gentleman, calmly.
Thanks"
Because it has given me an uncomfort-
able hour" finished Mr.. Compton. ~
hope you won't burn it again.
Uncomfortable! Nonsense" cried
Hetty.
'Why did it not cause you to treat your
father in the same Icelandic manner?"
inquired Mr.. Compton. "Are you very,
very SIRE you burnt it?''
az am very, very sure am not in the
least bit offended with you," said Hetty,
holding out her hand. George deserved
all she could give him by way OF punish
ment-it was nearly eight.
THANK you," said Walter Compton,
pressing it. "Ts that eight O'Clock? +
Fcomised to 60 to the parsonage this
evening, but I never kept an engagement
with such reluctance"
'You have forgotten your overeoat,"
said Hetty as he took his hat.
The minister flushed to the roots of his
hair. "It is quite warm" he said, II
don't need it.'
Eyes, you do, It's real damp" said Hetty,
fatty.
He shook his head with an odd laugh
~ don't really care for it," he said. He
fingered a moment. "Will you be glad
to see me if come back soon?" he muir
INJURED, taking her hand again.
II don't know" whispered Hatty, draw
ing away her hand in some confusion, for
the hall door was partly open, and the
recreant George was now ascending the
steps.
A look not pleasant to see passed be-
twsen the two young men, as one went
out and one came in.
ooh! here you are at last" observed
Miss Darrell.
The newcomer was angry, but she was
equal to him. 81 had given you up" said
Hetty.
"And so entertained yourself in an
other way" said Mr.. George Swift, in an
un pleasant manner. "Who was he who
went out?"
GA friend OF fathers who is staying
here"
George ierked off his overcoat, but,
behold! His accustomed nail was occu-
pied.
''Is that his coat?" said George. "Fath-
er's friend must, judge, be something of
the tramp order" He held up the gar
ment between thumb and finger.
'He is a minister" said .Hetty indig
nantly.
"Then he ought to be ashamed to dis
grace his calling by such coat" replied
George. He must have bought il sec
ond hand of a jew. I should feel like
burning it for fear of infection. Look at
the state of the braid and buttons!"
Hettys heart gave great throb. She
knew the reason, now, why Mr.. Compton
would not wear the coat. She took it
from Georges hand.
s'What are you going TO DOR he de-
handed.
81 am going to put on new braid and
Hetty, walking into the sitting room.
Geor4 g hung up his own handsome over
coat and followed her. Mr.. Darrell look
ed up from his paper, and commenced
conversation on spring rains, TO which
George listened with the utmost i'm
patience, while watching Hetty procure
her work basket and with provoking
GOODNESS set to work on the obnoxious
garment. He could neither demonstrate
nor prevent while Mr.. Darrell continued
in the present strain.
At last the old gentleman paused, and,
as if suddenly remembering himself, rose
abruptly, and took his newspaper into
the kitchen. Then George began:
"You seem determined to insult me
this evening, Hetty."
''Insult?" Hetty's eyes flashed.
Eyes, Insult. The first thing I see to-
night is fellow holding your hand, and
then instead of giving me your attention,
you prefer to patch this mans old raa-
bag of a coat"
LET IT alone" said Hetty, as George
laid hold of the garment in question;
"wh yare you so late on your own part?
But don't let Us quarrel, George. Sit
down"
"Will you stop working on that coat?"
'sNo," said Hetty, 81 will not. If [ can
do anything to help q man who has work
ed his own way in the noblest of ell pro-
fessioAs, will do it. Don't be so foolish
George; you ought to want me to help
him. Father says he is a very brilliant
young man, aE he has had a dreadfully
hard time. Just think, he cooked his
own mealsw
'Disgusting," said George. "An the
more reason won't have you waiting on
such beggar."
"George!"
"Well, listen," said George; ''you know
I came here to night to ask yon to be my
wife. If you are going to marry me you
will put down thai coat"
"And if I don't, I can't marry your"
questioned Hetty, smiling.
sPut it down, Hetty. Dear Hetty, dear
est Hetty, please 10 as I ask?"
Hetty, without glancing at him, began
to sew another button.
When the minister returned il was still
early, but he was disappointed to find
that Hetty had retired. He did not