Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22

the parlOr. her dress TAS or cheap ma
terisl. but someway she looked neat and
stylish. The minister managed his WOO
ing in a very satisfactory manner. Leona
had always respected and admired him,
ard she knew she could easily learn TO
love him. When he left the house he had
permission to call as often as he pleased,
and he also had the assurance that some-
time in the near future, LeOna would be
come mis- bride.
The next morning when the Rev. Mr..
Greeley went down to his breakfast, ne
found a telegram summoning him to
visit an old friend who was dangerously
i'll. He swallowed a few mouthfuls, an
wrote the following to Leona:
81 am called to visit an old friend who
is very Ill. I regret that L cannot come
TO bid you adieu; / have scarcely time to
catch the train. But I hope to he back
soon, and trust you will then be ready TO
name the wedding day. L remain, dear
est, your de7oteG,
LEWIS G. GREELEY.
He directed an envelope hastily TO
Mas l.. D1wne, placed the note within
and gave it to boy TO post. Fifteen
minutes later he was wh;riing rapidly
away.
That afternoon Miss Laura Downs, d
young (?) lady who was no relation 20
Leopa, sauntered into the large kitchen
where her mother was ironing, and stated
that she was going to the postofioe. Halt
an hour later the minister's letter was in
her possession, and when she returned
home her small, faded eyes sparkleo with
delight.
"Mamme, do listen to this,' and she
read the tender epistle aloud.
'.Well, if that doesn't beat natur'," and
the old lady lifted both hands in sur
prise.
"Oh, CT course I expected this, but still
it Is very sudden, and it seems to me that
he takes things for granted in remark
able manner"
"What will you say to him Laura?'
Ooh, I shall aces pit him, of course. The
dear manp and Miss Downs Uttered very
triumphantly.
The old lady put aside her ironing,
donned her bonnet and went out to tell
the news. Before night it was nearly all
over town that the minister and Laura
Downs were engaged, and some enterpIis-
ing gossip had even stated that they were
to be married in a few weeks. Many
wondered at his choice, for Miss DowLs
was rather plain, and her manners ere
not exactly faultle5s.
She said her age was twenty-five, but
according to the statemen: of the family
Bible, she must have seen a. least thirty
five summers.
The next day Mrs. Green beard the
story. She went home in great anger to
tell Leora.
81 cannot believe it," was the faint
response.
"Indeed, I tell you that it is go. Mrs
Downs told Mrs. John Smith and Sarah
Jane Smith told me-"
Then he Is far from an honorable
man"
He can be sued for breach of prom
ise.''
mo, let him go" and Leona covered
her face with her hands to conceal the
tears.
Il rather guess he will have to leave
town." and Mrs. Green's eyes flashed ang
rilly.
Meanwhile the Rev. Mr.. Greeley, quite
unconscious of the EXETER ent he had
caused, was by the side of his friend.
The day after he arrived the sufferer
passed quietly away, and in few days
the minister returned home. His first
call was at Mr.. Green's. Mrs. Green met
him at the door with countenance dar K
as midnight.
"Ah! so you have got back at last" was
her greeting.
81 have. Is Leona at homer"
''She is, but | hardly think she cares TO
see you"
"Please explain"
"You had better go to Laura Downs for
an explanation"
81 do not understand you"
Let me tell you, sir, that a man who is
engaged TO two girls at one tine is mean
villain
But never was in that position"
You cannot deny that you wrote a love
letter to Laura Downs just before you
went away, and that she is expecting TO
marry you"
Laura Downs is nothing to me. I
wrote to Leona the morning I went, and
to no other person"
Leona never received any letter from
YOU"
The minister at once saw the mistake
that had been made. He could not re-
frain from smiling, as he explained the
matter. When he had finished, Mrs.
Green grasped him warmly by the hand,
and invited him to enter the house.
The affair was not explained so salts
factorily to Miss Laura Downs, but she
soon left town, and was finally married
to wealthy widower.
Ia few months Leone was married.
and went to the pretty cottage shich was
TO be her home. Mr.. Green parted with
her with real sorrow, and even his wife
shed tears. They are now very fond of
their adopted daughter" and are al
ways welcome at her home.
Mrs. Green has ceased to work on the
Sabbath, and we trust that she is bet
ter woman in every respect. Leona
sometimes thinks of the old, hard life,
but she is so happy in the love of her ex-
Gallant hnshand that the nhnSt of the