Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-21

this time; instead of which,"
She threw out her hands with gesture
that finished the sentence eloquently
enough.
Eugene bit his lip. he blushed an
grily, but spoke with calmness.
{ "May | ask your reason for not wishing
to stay alonef" he asked ironicallp; "that
is, if there can be anything like reason
tconnected with such whim."
81 have told you am utterly powerless
and I am afraid"
.itY"
Miss Hanford did not answer. She
too, bit her lip, but it was to check back
her quickly rising tears.
am sorry you are so unreasonable" he
said quietly, $50 chilcishly absurd. 1t
places Us both in a very ridiculous posi-
! ton"
"And L am sorry you are so ungentle-
manly" she flashed out at him; $50 rude,
so unbearable pertinent-but could
expect no better! Nothing good could
come to me from any one who bears your
! namer
She ended in passion of tears.
| Mr.. Landt continued to look down at
her with sort of startled, shocked ex-
preston. 1t was as if her delicate hand
had struck him in the face and he was
powerless to return the blow. He drew
deep breath and walked away, after a
moment, and sat down as far from her as
possible, bis face averted, his head lean
| ing on his hand.
| Marian continued to sob convulsively.
All the wrongs and sorrows of her fathers
life came surging back to her, in an over
whelming tide; the food-gates of her
| heart seemed bursting asunder before the
pent-Hp bitterness of years. She was
struggling with all her might TO regain
calmness, but the very effort seemed to
increase the violence of her emotion. As
for Eugene-strong, hurt, wretched as he
Was-he only longed, with a strong mans
| compassion, to soOthe and comfort his
frank little enemy who had so bitterly
spoken her mind.
x X X y X
Eugene awoke with shiver; the lamp
had burned out, the fire was almost dead,
and-what was this? Beyond the window
panes clear moonlight and a cloudless
sky! Miss Hanford was still asleep in her
chair, AS she had been for some time be
fore Eugene himself succumbed. The
wind had gone down, and now there was
nothing to prevent him taking the road
to New Church except
What now could turn aside this disgrace
that had fallen On an innocent young
life, and for which he, perhaps, had been
to blame? There was only one thing
that could be doue. As he opened the
door little way and looked into the
night piercing wind swept by him,
and the sleeper on the chair stirred and
wakened.
"Who is that?" she demanded quickly.
"Oh, oh! Mr.. Landt, is it you? Where is
the light?"
ut has burned out, Miss Hanford. We
we're both asleep"
"Oh! she repeated, but now in a tone
of relief, "and there isn't any more oil"
She seemed to have slept away her anger
and resentment. Her voice sounded
sweet and friendly. But the storm is
over. l am SO gladI"
'Glad?" Eugene said nothing. He clos
ed the door and came and kneeled by the
fire, blowing the half-dead embers into
flame and laying on more wood until
the room was partly lighted by the pleas
ant glow.
81 think it would be a good idea to
watch from the window" she suggested
cheerfuliy after a while. "Teams are
O'Clock, ele ven o'clock?"
But when Eugene informed her, in a
constrained voice, she merely said, light
ly: SWELL it won't be long till morning
especially if we get to sleep again. -
1t is perhaps needless to mention there
was no more sleep that night for Mr..
Landt. When morning dawned he was
sitting looking thoughtfully at Miss Han
ford's pretty, dark head, which rested
uncomfortably on the desk beside her
As the day grew really bright he reused
her gently.
81 am going now to bring wagon.
You will not mind being left aloneP"
She lifted her bewildered face; then as
full consciousness came back, she smiled
and nodded.
Eyes, you can go now. Oh, how
strange, we have been here-aIl nightw
Eugene turned away quickly and began
to put on his coat. Then he came back
and stood beside her, strangely agitated.
81 am going to Dixon for a carriage"
he said hurridly. "And, Miss Hanford,
will bring a minister with me and wit
ness. It is impossible for us TO return to
New Church until we are married"
"What?" said Marian, almost starting
from her chair. Married? You and I?''
1T must be so," he answered decisiveIy.
II will never force my companionship
on you; you will be perfectly free
Listen to me"-he spoke quite sternly-
''the only way by which you can save
your reputation or regain your place be-
fore the world is to let me make you my
wife,"
81 won't do any such thing" she an
swered instantly. Il am surprised you
should think for moment that 1 could"
''But [ ask it for your sake" he said
pointedly. can adventure of this sort
may be overlooked in a man, but in a
woman"
San adventure" repeated Marian, her
frank, brown eyes full of astonishment
'8ut could we possibly help it? Did we
want to stay here? Who in the world
could blame us for a matter entirely be-
| yond our power to controlf''
| Eugene looked at her ixedly for a
long moment. SIT was in your power,
Miss Hanford," he rejoined quietly
You would not allow me to leave you
< < am going to Dixon" he repeat
ed" with added frmness, ''to find a
minister. In the meantime try TO use
your reason-if that be possibIe,"-he
could not refrain from this slight thrust.
"And be assured of one thing, that it will
not be my fault if your gooa name is
! sacrificed through an accident for which
you tell me was to blame in the first
| place."
He turned on his heels and left her
helplessly watching his retreating figure.
x x
Good morning, Uncle Reuben; can I