Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-05
o peremptory, what could be the mat

SO peremptory, what could be the mat
ter?
A deathly silence fell on the group.
Paul, who had counted so confidently on
his power to disclose TO his friend knowl-
| edge which would make him feel miser-
able for life, suddenly found himself
tongue. tied. George Rockford locked
from one to the other of the trio in com
plete astonIshment at this strange de-
meanor.
evil you kindly explain the meaning
of this scene, one or the other of your"
he asked in the quiet, direct manner Of
the business man.
No one answered.
a rap at the door broke the silence.
"Come H." cried Mary Deverepx.
To her intense surprise the servant who
had been recently discharged walked in
to the room with a resolute air. A man
of fashy, shabby apparel and ditto man
ner, closely followed her.
s'Excuse my coming right into your
parlor," said the womau, with curt polite
ness, shut my business is that kind that
ye don't want TO let the grass grow under
your feet about it. See! What [ mean to
say is, you thought / stole your spoons,
didn't your"
"What if We did ?" cried Paul, sngrily.
"What?" roared the indignant servant.
"Why, I'm an honest woman, I am,
though I cook and wash. Spoons are safe
where am, and how many of those pres
emit can say the sameY"
"Walk out of the place." shouted Paul
in frenzy.
I'm two minutes and half l WILL" re-
piled the resolute person who had come
to vindicate her character. 'Sam Row
ley, produce them Spoons"
Her follower with an apologetic air ex-
tracted three handsome silver soup spoons
from the side pocket of his coat.
"Pawned with me-" he whistled
through the aperture caused by lost front
teeth, "by M. MilliDgton"
"Them spoons was lost the day she
lunched with you," went on the Amazon.
ion accuser, "and next day they was
pawned with S. Rowiey, a cousin 1e mine,
which is here. Books will show l ain't
making no trumped-up charge. She's
got the Pawn-ticket sommer, you'll find,"
and the injured person tossed her head
Indignantly.
George Rockford looked like a man
who was on the very verge of lunacy.
"Paul, PAUL." he cried, with bitter
moan, sex plain this to me, I beg-I
entreat of YOU"
"Don't ask me George; I CAN'T
groaned Paul, hiding his face in his
hands"
Miss Millington rose to her feet slow
ly.
"The whole question is this, George
Rockford" she said in an icy voice
"WOuld you marry woman of loose
principles az regards-well," doggedly
| "stealing?"
mol" he shouted.
"Then nothing remains, I suppose, but
for me to say good-by to your" she
| queried.
"Nothing whatever" he roared Justify
"If you hold such loose principles!"
Almost before they knew it she was
| departed, either separately or together
no one noticed which.
We will explain the matter TO you in
detail, George" said Paul, sadly when
feel a trife more composed. Meantime
what is our real duty heref Ought we tC
punish this guilty woman?"
"No, no." replied Roct ford, gravely
'Iet her go! We shall have nothing more
60 do with her; and if she should pursue
her criminal practices among other less
tender hearted than ourselves, why lei
them infiict."
Mary Devereux smiled, and shrugged
her shoulder La FRANCHISE.
"The very policy l urgued upon Paul,
she said, with slight laugh. 60 get
hanged elsewhere.' It Is cowardly but
it is the easiest way out"