Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-19
MISS CHANCE"
BY E. ADAIR.

filed his promise by buying an ungalnIy
utton hole in the shape OF hugh chry-
santhemnm. Is was Harry's own choice,
but the general laugh that greeted It
seemed to reflect some of the rldlcuie on
the blameless seller, whose bright face
slowly crimsoned.
"How codld you let him have such a
thing, Lollie?" cried Kate, pointing the
laugh.
But Lollie made no defense.
Fort felt indignant, bat Iessleton socl-
ETY. was no wiser and kinder than other
societies. liz accepted the prevailing
opinion Of Lollie's uninterestingnes5 and
in3apa5iIlty TO being as charming as her
sisters, without troubling itself to lind
out whether it were we'll founded or just.
Mrs L'Estrange was clearly alone In her
rebellion against the family verdict.
He was reused from these thoughts by
Katle's voice.
"Mr Fort" She was holding up a
lovely camellia. "Only six pence. Let
me put it Ia for YOU"
"Inanks, no; l never deck myself with
oarlands," returned Fort, with grave
smile. aud allowed himself to be elbowed
away by the crush.
When he looked again, LOllie had dis
appeared, and another girl had taken her
mace. lie searched for her for some
time fruItlessly. At last he found her N
sheltered corner, engaged IN tying up
parcels that could not 90 put together by
Jae busy stall keepers. She seemed quite
conteut, although she looked tired.
Fort wondered at her-wondered at the
dignity with which she accepted the Po-
sltlou her sisters bad chosen to thrust her
into, premaUurely deprIving her or girl
hoods privileges and reasonable pleas
ures.
II hope you will allow me to help your"
sad he, making his way to her side.
wThanks; have not very much TO do.
But Katie OF Sarah will be glad of your
Il should infinitely prefer to stay here,
if may" he interrupted.
A Ausn rose 20 her face; she looked al
most pretty. Again her eyes met his,
with the same haIt-trCubled astOnlshtnent
he found 50 pathetic once before. 1t
seemed Incredible that any one should
want TO talk to her, especially Mr. Fort,
who was reported TO be SO clever, and to
have won ali sorts of honors Mt Oxford.
II know nearly every one here, so please
ask me- the names OF all that interests
YOU she said with nervous smile.
"Why are you called L0llie!" he re-
ioinec with dlrectness of meaning THAI
disturbed her for moment
INV real name is Charlotte-such an
ugly name; bat 1 was called Lottie at
fr,t. then the children, when they we're
babies, altered it TO Lollle."
"The babies were fond of your"
"Yes, they all were. You can't think
how sorry | was when they grew older"
"Fhey became more comprehensive,
snselyY"
..NOt TO me- They are naturally more
with Katie now" she said quite simply.
Fort was not man of ready words. He
did not know now to express his ideas
about the isolated position she accepted
SO calmly 1t must be hard for her, he
knew: even her parents cared nothing
for the plain, unpopular elder daughter.
He yaiulv wished that he could alter the
conditions of her life and make them
right and natural and happier for her.
sWhat do you do with yourself all day
long ?" he asked, after prolonged pause
"Nothlng, or as near nothing as 1t Is
possible for q human being to do and
exhrst a. tue same time. l can do nothing
clever or amusing and very little that is
usetut. | have not any hidden virtues,
such as | see you are trying to make me
ounfess to-" she said, smiling sadly.
"Most girls like me are redeemed by De
inu excellent, are they not? But 1 am
not excellent; am merely monentity
that feels she Is alive, aud -"
She stopped short. She had never
snoken like this TO auy one before. For
once the long control of years mad given
away under the sOftening influence OF
persistent kindness.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Fort" She
spoke AGAIN in her usual even tones.
He looked down at her with steady,
kindly eyes and said:
"Please finish that sentence. L am in
terested III what you were saying
and
"And is conscious OF the misery of liv-
ing" she ended; then added with hard
laugh. 1T is very kind of you TO be inter
ested in the sort of life l am describing
| don't find it very interesting myself
Swat Is not Interestingly" Katie said
suddenly appearing at her sisters side
INV life" replied Lollie detantly.
She had the mental strength, the an
fincling courage that deals simply and
directly with facts at all costs.
Fort believed he should have evaded
giving that answer than have met the
raised eyebrows and meaning shug with
which Katie greeted 1t, and yet he be-
lieyed himself to possess some moral
courage. He had pitied LolIe before,
now, he admired her. She seemed TO be
plant with vigorous inner life. but nlpp
ed and pruned back at all points, There
could be no sweet blossom, no fair fruit.
But the stem was sound and strong and
healthy and surely possessed rare ca
liabilities yet to be developed.
"Gris," said Katie next morning, when
the sisters were discussing the events of
the bazaar "ask Lollie what she was say
inc 10 Mr. Fort last evening"
II shall not tell J ou," declared Lollie
walking straight out of the room.
As she went up stairs, however, she
could hear the sound of hatle's voice,
followed by burst of merriment. She
ran up and locked herself IN her room. Ii
was TOO unkInd, TOO hard. Could not
Kate be happy and leave her to live out
her Gnloved, empty life alone!
A. this moment she saw on her oress
ing table small parcel with note. Il
was a mans writing. She turned IL owe
breatblessly in her shaking hands. WhS
would write to her? Interesting little
missiyes often came TO Edenmount II
manly sorawls for ner sister, but none
had ever come before directed to Mis-
Chance.
Atlepgth she opened it. A very shor
note 1t was, it ran as follows:
ssDEAR MISS CHANCE
81 have just been reading the enclosed
and found it interesting, so have takel