Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-30

The following morning they 1ounQ ner.
Some fisherman had discovered floating
body far off the coast, and all that re-
manned of the mortal Viola Carroll was
reverently brought back to shore.
Three weeks later card was handed
to Adele Hautville in her house in town.
1t was Guys.
"May say goodbye to you? 1 sail to-
morrow" was scrawled beneath the
name.
Unconsc1ouslys she mad spoken aloud.
Little Theo Greer looked wistfully at
her.
care you rich, Miss Mabel?" said
he. Il wish we were. Martin has
got to give up the mill now that his
leg is no better. The doctor says he
will always have to go on a crutch;
and how would miller get along on
crutches? And Martins afraid he
can't support me and mother any
longer, and"
Mabel rose up resolutely and tied on
her bonnet.
"Come, Theo," said she; ''Tll walk
home with you. It's getting on for
dusk. and I've been sitting in the
house long time
Martin says you've never crossed
the threshold since he was hurt" said
Theo solemnly.
"But mean to cross it tonight"
said Mabel, smiling brightly in the
twilight.
The old stone mill looked almost
like picturesque ruin, with the hedge
of black green frs behind it, and the
rush of the foaming river over its idle
wheel. From the uncurtained window
streamed out cheerful red light, and
when Theo opened the door, you could
catch glimpse of the bright interior-
a room where there was a blazing fire
of resinous logs, with the fragrant sap
bubbling and dripping from either
end, candle burning on the table, and
a pale young man sitting with one foot
on a rest, and a folded shawl behind
his back by way of support.
Mothers out milking" cried Theo
shrilly. ''Pll run and call her. But
you can go in, Miss Mabel, and talk to
Martin.
And Mabel walked in.
"Oh, Martini" she cried, with a thrill
of pain at her heart. ''Oh, Martin,
how pale you arer'
He glanced reproachfully at her.
'You have never been to see me
once since l was hurt, May" he said.
''And now trouble has come upon US,
and"
what trouble, Martin.
eve shall have to give up the mill,
May. can't pay rent any longer, and
/ can neither work the mill nor afford
to hire help"
"But 1 can" said Mabel radiantly.
ave had good news tonight, Martin
that [ am worth three thousand
pounds.
Il am rejoiced to hear it May" said
the young man earnestly. "Only-I
do not see how this can benefit mel"
Don't your" said Mabel, reddening
and laughing. In the distance she
could see Theo, carrying the lantern
before his mother, coming in from the
barn-yard, and she knew that her time
was short ''Not tiff Oh, Mar
tin, thought that you cared for mel"
$50 / dor cried Martin eagerly.
'But-"
Then won't you take the three
thousand poundsP"
"No."
'Not-not with me thrown into the
bargainP" she cried laughingly, quot
ing Squire Pettenbold.
And she knelt beside the invalid's
chair, with her face averted from him,
all but the tip of one ear, which was
dyed scarlet.
"It's leap year, you know, Martini"
she added, "and-"
'.My own noble, generous darling!
Ny treasure" he cried out, his eyes
swimming in tears. "Oh, Mabel, if I
had dared to hope for this"
And then Mrs. Greer and little Theo
came in, and everything had to be
cOntided to Martins gentle little moth
er.
The old stone mill was not given
up, nor was the three-cornered meadow
lot sold. Farmer Greer, it is true, is
compelled to 90 upon crutches, but his
wife is a helpmeet in every sense of
the word, and the world prospers rare
ly with them.
And Squire Pettenbold has not yet
got over wondering at Mabel's bad
taste in preferring a penniless cripple
to his portly self, landowner and JUS
tice of the peace!
'FThey tell me that women are rid
dies, said the squire, "and l really
begin to believe it. Yes, yes, do in
deed"
For even leap-year hasn't helped the
squire to wife.