Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-29

Poor little Percy. Oh! oh! obi"
And after all this thunder there was
a little rain, by Law that governs At
mosphere and Woman impartially.
Seeing her softened, and having his
own reasons for wishing to keep Fitzroy
to do his duty, Walter begged leave to
mediate, if possible, and asked if she
would do him the honor to confde the
grievance to him.
"Of course l WILL" said Julia. @He is
angry with Colonel Clifford for not
wishing him to stay here, and he is an
CRY with me for not making Uncle Cliff
ford invite him. As if l could! l should
be ashamed to propose such thing.
The truth is, he is luxurious little fell
low, and my society Out-of-doors does
not compensate him for the cookery at
the Dun Cow. Therel let him co."
"But want him to stay"
"Then that is very kind of you"
isn't it," said Walter, slyly. "AndI
must make him stay somehow. Now
tell me. isn't he little jealous?"
"a little iealousl Why, he is eaten
up with it; he is petTie de jol0usie."
Then" said Walter ,timidly, and hesi-
tating at every word, you can't be an
CRY if / work on him little. Would
there be any great harm if were to say
that nobody can see you without admir-
ing you; that have always respected
his rights, but that if he abandons
them"
Julia caught it in moment. She
blushed, and laughed heartily. ooh,
you good, sly Thing!" said she; "and it
is the truth, for [ am as proud as he is
vain, and ii he does leave me [ will turn
round that moment and make you in
love with me-"
Walter looked queer. This was a
turn he had not counted on.
do you think couldn't, sir?" said
she, sharply.
at is not for me to limit the power
of beauty" said Walter, meekly.
SAY the power of fiattery [ could
caJole any man in the World-if [
chose"
"Then you are dangerous creature,
and [ will make Fitzroy my shield. I'm
off to the Dun Cow"
you are duck" said this impetuous
beauty. $50 there!" She took him
round the neck with both hands, and
gave him a most delicious kiss.
Why, he must be mad" replied the
recipient, bluntly. She laughed at that,
He found young Fitzroy sitting rather
disconsolate, and opened his errand at
once by asking him if it was true that
they were to lose him.
Percy replied stiff1y that it was true.
What a pityl" said Walter.
Il DIDN'T think shall be m-mUch
m-missed," said Percy, rather sudden
ly.
81 know two people who will miss
you"
Il DIDN'T know one"
1.-Two, | assure yOu-Miss Clifford and
myself. Come, Mr.. Fitzroy, will not
beat about the bush. | am afraid you
are mortified, and | must say, justly
mortified, at the GOODNESS my father has
shown to you. But | assure you that it
is not from any disrespect to you per-
sonally."
ooh, indeedl" said Percy, ironically.
No; quite the reversible is afraid
of you"
That is a g-gg--good joke"
No; let me explain. Fathers are curl
Gus people. If they are ever so disin-
terested in their general conduct, they
are sure to be a little mercenary for
their children. Now, you know, Miss
Clifford is beauty who would adorn
Clifford Hall, and an heiress whose
money would purchase certain proper
ties that join ours. You understand"
Yes" said the little man, starting up
in great wrath. 81 understand, and it's
a-bom-lnable. | th-thought you
were my friend, and a m-man of h
honor"
SO [ am, and that is why L warn you
in time. If you quarrel with Miss Cliff
ford, and leave this place in a pet, Just
see what risks we both run. YOU and I.
My father will be always at me, and I
shall not be able to insist on your prior
claim; he will say you have abandoned
it. Julia will take the huff, and you
know beautiful women will do strange
things-mad things-when once piq1e
enters their hearts. She might turn
round and marry me-"
You forget, sir, you are man of
honor"
But not a man of stone. Now, nv
dear Fitzroy, be reasonable. Suppose
that peerless creature went in for fe-
male revenge; why, the first thing she
would do would be to make me love her.
whether [ chose or no. She wouldn't
give me voice in the matter. She
would flatter me; she would caiole me:
she would transtiX my too susceptible
hearts with chances of fire and beWitch-
ing languor from those glorious eyes"
Odd! Ahem!" cried Percy. turn,
ing green.
Walter had no mercy. 81 heard her
say once she could make any man love
her if she chose"
$50 she could" said Percy, ruefully.
"She made me. / had an awful PIP
prejudice against her, but there was no
resisting"
"Then don't subject me to such trial.
Stick to her like man."
so | will; but it is am-m-mOrtii-
tying position. I'm a man of family,
We came in with the C-Conquest. and
are respected in our County; and here
have to meet her on the sly, and live
at the D-Dun Cow"
Where the cuisine is wretched."
"A-b-b-bominable!"
Having thus impregnated his mind
with that soothing sentiment, jealousy,
Walter told him he had a house to let
on the estate-quite gentleman's
house, only little dilapidated. with
fine lawn and garden, only neglected in
you," said he. "You have plenty of
money, and no occupation. Perhaps
that is what leads to these little quar-
relS. 1t will amuse you to repair the
crib and restore the lawn. Why, there
is brook runs through it-it isn't every
lawn has that-and there used to be
water-lilies floating, and peonies nod
ding down at them from the bank;
paradise. She adores flowers, you know.
Why notrent that house from me? You
viii have constant occupation and
amusement. You will become rival
potentate to my governor. You will
take the shine out of him directly; you
have only to give ball, and then all
the girls will worship you, Julia Cliff
ford especially, for she could dance the
devil to a stand-still."
l.. L