Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06
fe direction Indicated.

IN
But the Summer-houSe was efnpty
Hespie's open book and a dainty little
piece of crewel-work lay on the rustic
table, with needle shining in silken
geraniunl-leaf half finished. He waited
a minute, hoping she would return, then
went disappointedly up towards the
house. Mrs. Herbert was no longer ON
the terrace: the girls too were nowhere
about. He was passing the greenhouses,
when suddenly he caught sight of blue
sleeve and a white rounded wrist and
hand between the flower-pots. He OPEN
ed the greenhouse door and entered.
Hespie turned suddenly, and the happy
color flooded her face, and look of UNI
mlstakable welcome shone for a moment
III her eyes.
''You!" she said, smiling up at him as
he had longed for months to see her
smile. 1--WE did not know you had re-
turned" she added quickly, in different
tone, quiet, self-contained, with no touch
of undue excitement. 1.-The girls have
gone to the village; but they will soon be
home. Mrs. Herbert is in, and will be
glad to see you. VIII you come indoors?"
''Not yet" said Dobbin hastily; ''let me
see you tirst-it was you I came to see.
Do you know that your face has been
haunting me? You looked so miserably
Ill that day went away-you're looking
pale still"
Il am quite we'll, said Hespie. s'Iam
searching for geranium-leaf. to copy.
for my crewel-work-one just turning
red. VIII you help me?'
Dobbin was not ardent in the search.
He kept his eyes fixed on Hespie's all the
time.
''You are going back tomorrow he
said.
eyes, answered Hespie.
''You are glad, L SUPPOSE"
II am glad to begin work again. lam
interested in my work"
''In political economy
eyes"
political economy always seems to me
one of the dullest of dull things-the
dryest Of dry bones, said Dobbin, with
disgust.
II thought" rejoined Hespie. wonder
ingly. "that yoQwere interested in polit-
1caI economy? You told me so one day.
''No,' said Dobbin, with mirthless
laugh; sit was only that 1 wanted to bea
political economist"
81 don't understand" replied Hespie.
''No; you wouldn't be likely to under
stand" said Dobbin, gloomily.
They were silent some minutes Hes
pie sat down on low shelf, and looked
at the leaves that she had been picking.
She forgot her object in gathering them,
and made them absently into a little
bunch, and looked for some string with
which to tie them. Then suddenly, in
the next greenhouse, which was cool and
shady, steps sounded and some one spoke:
''Hespie is happy now. Dobbin has
proposed before this, and been accepted.
retract all that have been saying lately
about Dobbin. That spray of maiden
hair will do. Don't stay here, grand
mamma; it is cold. I'm so glad little
Hespie is happyr'
''You expect me to rejoice at your folly,
Amy" said a sour old voice; and the door
of the greenhouse was shut, and the
voices were lost
ing the geranium-leaves together, sud-
denly stopped as though paralyzed. She
did not move. Her very heart seemed
to stop beating with shame and horror
For a moment Dobbin did not speak;
then he did SO a little huskily.
"Im very glad, he said gently. s'It's
right you should be happy. Pm glad I
came back in time to congratulate you"
Congratulate me?" echoed Hespie,
miserably.
81 can't help feeling that Professor
Dobbin's confoundedly lucky, you knowr'
Il" Professor Dobbinr'
''Isn't he professor
EWho?" said Respie.
"Dobbin," answered Dewar.
"Dobbin?" said Hespie.
SIS it a nlistake?" asked the poor fell
low, humbly. aren't you engaged to
Dobbin? I say, haven't put my foot in
1T, have /? L didn't mean to hurt your
feelings. I'm awfully sorry. Look here,
Hespie-don't cry! l can't stand seeing
you cryr'
''No; I'm not crying said Hespie, with
a tear on each cheek-"Tm not crying.
Let us 90 indoors"
"And it's my fault-I've made you
cry!" declared Dobbin. Il couldn't help
overhearing you that day, you know
that old woman kept me holding her
woodland you were ali talking there,
outside. [ didn't say word then. And
when [ went away [ could see you were
miserable. felt sure it was that brute's
fault"
g That brute? said Hespie.
''Yes-Dobbin. can't help calling
him brute-confound hint | shouldn't
have said anything now, only amy spoke
as though it was all right, YOU know
all settled and that sort Of thing. Good
heavens, the man must be fool! And
other men would stake their souls for one
of your smiles, for the right to black your
boots and go your errands! If L could
near you, HeSpie-see you once a day
once week, say-just touch your hand
sometimes-I should be in heaven!"
Hespie looked up at him, and gradual
II little shy happy smile came into her
eyes.
az don't think you understand she
said shyly. cit vast was-you-Dob-
bin, L mean. It was very foolish; the
girls-the girls chose 1.-THE name; the
girls always call you that"
" That" said Dcwar, with great
happy smile as the light began to dawn
upon him. WHAT"
''Dobbin!' answered Hespie. e.