Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-24

L made this opportunity TO advise you t
accept him.
"Ahp' exclaimed tbs young lady, sud
| denly pressing her handkerchief TO hel
brow. There must be an east wind
Such sharp pain shot through my TEN
| pie! Would you draw up that windoW?'
The pain was so severe that her voice
sounded unsteady. He obeyed-and re
Stunning his seat and his argument pro
| ceeded-
''Waring is not bad fellow. and he is
rich, really rich, no matter if the richness
is new or old. He is not as dull as he
seems, though duIlness is no drawback t.
q husband. He adores you-but he is hall
AFRAID of you; you may reign supreme; yoC
] can help your grandmother: you VIII evec
thank me hereafter for showing you this
way to escape from the horrors of gentee1
| poverty, only you must not hesitate in your
acceptance of him. Lisle went on, i'm
| pressiyely. "He is a shy bird; if you are
not kindly, he will fiutter away; you need
not affect any passion, simply promise to
! be his wife He has high opinion of your
! integrity and honor. He will trust YOU
and when l come back after 4 few years OF
broiling, shall see you, hope. what you
! ought to be, leader and an ornament OF
society, perhaps to be rewarded for my
enormous unselfshness by a renewal OF
| your friendship and confidence"
While he spoke, his companion had ouen.
ed her travelling bag, taking out flask OF
eau-de- Cologne, and dropped some on her
handkerchief, which she applied to her
| forehead.
"Ahr' she said, ''it is a little better''
| ho,. 10
polite smile. You are really very good
to take all this trouble for me; it is more
than could expect! You need not exhaust
yourself in persuasion; really do hot dis
| like Mr.. Warning: on the contrary, he is ev-
IDENTIFY malleabIe, and by no means bad
| looking-rather young perhaps, but that is
a fault which corrects itself. had no idea
| he thought Of throwing the handkerchief
to me! / am much obliged for your warn
ing not to scare a shy bird! 1t is not al
ways that man is gifted with a figure as
| well as fortune"
! She spoke with languid composure
| keeping her eyes on his
81 am very glad you take so sensible a
view of my suggestion" he returned, with
slight suppressed surprise; "as to looks,
that is matter Of taste; do not admire
the 'prize-fghter' style myself; but War.
| ing is quite six or seven years older than
you are! I assure you it is a relief to my
mind that you deign to accept my counsel,
and do not snub me for meddling."
''That would be bad return for your
disinterested friendship. 1 do not think
many people would imagine you capable
! of so quiXotic an effort to succor damseI
in distress! You do not do yourself JUS
! isle 10 Ali
| something of your own plans, for [ recip-
| rocate your friendly interest assure you. u
"My plans" he repeated, in a different
and less steady tone. ''They are simple
| enough. My uncle, General Forester, has
promised me an appointment on his staff.
| It may keep me in India the best part of
my life; but shall have leave of absence
| from time to time, and SO keep in touch
with civilization"
''That will be delightful! And you real,
ly have known commonplace money trou-
bles like other people?"
eyes; very decidedly yes"
He was feeling curiously displaced from
| his position Of superior firmness and world
| ly knowledge. The unexpected accept
ance Of his suggestion by this fair gentle
| creature, who was barely nineteen, threw
| MN OLE MS balance.
''Then [ hope they are over forever" she
remarked, in a kindly tone. ''You must
pick up q Begun in India Yet, no!
| should not like to be less bountiful than
you arel would give you a pretty, as
well as a wealthy wife. Mr.. Warning is
| handsome, or rather he will develop into a
| handsome man. think you have chosen
| we'll"
81 did not choose at all. I simply did
my best to induce you not to throw away a
good chance. Are you serious? I do not
quite understand you, Mona"
She raised a warning finger playfully.
''As l am not, according to you, to KEEP
my name much longer, pray let me hear it
| always; it is far prettier than Warning
| Miss Joscclyn, if you please"
! She had grown quite animated; faint
color replaced her extreme pallor; her
| large eyes spark1ed; she dominated the
| conversation. Captain Lisle watched her
| closely; her manner was quite natural,
| while his lost the curt decision which char
| acterized it at first. She questioned him
as to how many horses Warning could keep,
as to where they should live-said she was
glad he was not encountered with landed
estates, as she would like to ramble about
| and much more to the same effect, half in
jest. At length he looked at his watch.
in ten minutes [ must say goodbye"
he said. II get out at the next station,
and wait for the four-ffty train to Gales
ford''
What long tiresome wait! You really
have sacrificed yourself to friendship"
II have" he returned, emphatically. 81
| wonder if you exactly appreciate the sacri-
fee"
81 do, indeed"
''May I not call and learn from your own
lips how you are going on?"
You see it is a little uncertain where
you may find us. / fear they do not allow
visitors at the work-house, which may be
our destination, if Mr.. Warning has not the
goodness to charge himself with our sup
port.'
''It is too bad that these wealthy new
men get the pick of everythingi All! here
we are. Do you know, it is awfully hard
to say goodbye; really feel little MUIR
derous towards Warning"
Beware! I have taken him under my
protection"
at is not goodbye, however; 1 will see
you in ten days or fortnight Till then,
addio!"
He pressed her hand close, she withdrew
it in fierce haste; the next moment he was
standing on the platform, yet another, and
the train was again in motion Miss Cliff
ford kissed her hand with a saucy smile as
she passed out of sight The only other
passenger who alighted gave up his ticket,
and Lisle was left to pace the damp gravel
and think over the conversation he had
just held.
81 am well out of it,'' was his first
thought: "but she took my advice rather