Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-17
LOVE OR MONEY;
OR,
A PERILOUS SECRET.
BY CHARLES READE,
Author of "Put Yourself In His Place,
etc., ETC., etc.

That's the advantage he has over
me-" suggested Walter; E'she is five feet
eight or whereabouts, SO he is Just the
height of her heart"
The Colonel burst out laughing. "You
are no fool" said he; that's the second
good thing you have said these three
years. l forget what the other was.
but remember it startled me at the
time. You are wit, and you will cut
out that manlkln or you are no son of
mine"
Don't say that, father" said Walter:
and cutting out, why, that's a naval
operation, not military. l am not the
son of an admiral"
mo equivOcation, sir; the forces as
sist one another at a pinch"
How can | cut him out?-there is no
room, he is tied to her apron strings"
Unite him, then"
At this moment, whether because
Hope attracted everybody in the course
of the day, or because talking about
people draws them to the place bysOme
subtle agency, who should appear in
sigh but Miss Julia Clifford, and little
FjtZroy wOOing her to closely that real
ly he did seem tied so her apron strings
There" said Walter, now use your
eyes, father; look at this amorous pair.
Do you really think it is possible for a
fellow to unite those tWOp
Quite possible" said the Colonel.
Walter" said he. sententiOusly. there's
a little word in the English language
which is one of the biggest; l will spell
1t to you, Try. Nobody knows
what he can do till he gives that word
a fair trial. 1T was far more impossible
TO scale the rock of Gibraltar; but our
infantry did it; and there we are, with
all Europe grinding their teeth at us.
What's woman compared with Glib
Taltar? However, as you seem to be a
bit of a mutf, III stand sentinel whilst
you cut him out"
The Colonel then retired into sort
of ambuscade- least he mingled with
a small clump of three Scotch frs, and
stood amongst them so rectilinear he
might have passed for the fourth stump
Walter awaited the arrival of the foe,
but in a spirit which has seldom con-
Quoted men to conquest and glory, for
If the English infantry had deyiated so
far from their insular habits as to adj
mlre the Spaniards, you may be sure
that Gibraltar rock at this day would
be part of the continent, and not a de-
tached fragment of Great Britain. In
a word, Walter, at sight of the lovers,
was suddenly seized with sentimental
sympathy; they both seemed to him so
beautiful in their way. The man was
small, but his heart was not; he stuck
to the woman like man, and poured
hot love into her ears, and almost lost
the impediment~ in his speech. The
woman pretended to be cooler, but she
half turned her head toward him, and
her half-clOSed eyes and heightened
color showed she was drinking every
word. Her very gayetY. though it af-
1nntp1 nOnnhQI1npn
to such as can read below the surface
of her sex. The COlonel's treacherous
ally, after gazing at them with marked
approval, and saying, 81 couldn't do it
better myself, which was surely a great
admission for a lover to make, slipped
quietly into Hopes workshop not to
spoil spOrt-a juvenile idea which we
recommend to older persons, and to
such old maids as have turned sour.
The great majority of old maids are
match-makerS, whatever cant may keep
saying and writing to the contrary.
No wonder at all" said Percy, who
was evidently in the middle of some
amorous speech; "you are the goddess
of my idolatry."
What ardent expressions, you do
usel' said Julia, smiling.
of c-course | do; I'm over head and
ears in love-"
ulItt sui NCgGu Ills DIOpOGGIOElS, ana
said, That's not very deep"
But Percy had got used to this kind
of wit, and did not mind it now He
replied with dignity: Its as deep-as
the ocean, and as mp-per-t-t-tur-
bable. Confound it! there's your cous-
in"
"You are not jealous of him, Mr.. I'm
perturbable, are your" asked Julia, slyly.
"Jealous?" said Percy, changing color
rather, susspiciously; certainly not.
Hang him!"
and feeling himself in the way, came
out at the back behind them, and said,
Never mind me, you two; far be it
from me to deprive the young of their
innocent amuSementS."
Whilst making this little speech he
was going off on the points of his toes,
intending to slip off to Clifford Hall, and
tell his father that both cutting out and
untying had proved impossible; but, to
his horror, the Colonel emerged from
his ambuScade and cOllareG him. Then
took place two short contemporaneouS
dialogues:
Julia. I'D never Colonel Clifford.
marry a jealous well, why don't
man." YOU cut him out?"
Percy. 81 never Waiter "They
could be jealous. seem SO happy with
I'm above it. I'M out it."
possible for ma Colonel Clifford.
ture like mine to be I"You are muff.
jealous" I'll do it for you.
Forward"
Colonel Clifford then marched down
and seated himself in the chair Hope
had made for him.
Julia saw him. and whispered Percy:
@Ahl here's Uncle Clifford. He is going
to marry me to Walter. Never mind
you are not jealous"
Percy turned yellow.
We'll" said Colonel Clifford to all
whom it might concern, this certainly
is the most comfortable chair in Eng
land. These fools of upholStererS never
make the bottom of the chair long
enough, but Mr.. Hope has made this to
run under gentleman's knees and sup
port him. He's a clever fellow. Julia,
my dear, there's a garden chair for you;
come and sit down by me-"
Julia gave a sly look at Percy, and
went to Colonel Clifford. She kissed
him on the forehead to soften the COM
ing negative, and said: ITO tell you the
truth, dear uncle, | have promised to
go down coal mine. Seel I'm dressed
accordingly"
go down coal minel" said the Colo
mel. contemptuously. what fool put
that iCea in your headw
FitZroy strutted forward like BAN
hancock. 4 did, sir. Coal is very
interesting product"
SAY, to cook"
"To every English g-gentleman."
Il disown that imputation for one"
"Of being an English gentleman"
There was general Utter at this sly