Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12

versatlon with her than he was In the
presence of many of his lady friends,
even when chaporoned by their mammas.
She was very childish in her manners, and
extraordinary reticent about herself,
and her family connections. She told
him that she had been very i'll, and was
staying at Slocum for the benefit of her
health, and that was all that he knew of
her.
She was the queerest mixture of knowl-
edge and appalling social ignorance. She
frequently spoke of. when they gave dim
ners at home" their receptions and so on,
and once accidently mentioned some names
that Jack knew we'll as belonging to folks
moving in very good set. Yet she knew
nothing of the Academy" had not seen
Irving, and looked as if she bad never
heard of Mona Card
At length Jacks holiday drew to close,
and he kissed the demure little face of
Miss Propriety-for in common with all
seaside hirtations theirs had grown apace
he felt quiet apang at heart at the thought
of giving up the pleasant unconventional
friendship.
my little Molly" he whispered ten
derly-for she had soon told him that her
name was Molly Wilson-''I wonder if
we shall ever meet again?"
She laughed little nervously. Per
haps,' she said.
MAY I call upon you if | am in your
neighborhood. F." he asked, somewhat
vaguely, for he was suddenly waking up
to the fact that he had not the remotest
idea where Molly lived
She flushed scarlet as she murm red that
she travelled about great deal and her
address was uncertain.
He looked and felt suspicious and hurt.
Really Miss Propriety was a most pulling
parsonage, and Jack in his way was an
intensely proud man, and began to have
an uneasy feeling that somehow this girl
was making an awful fool of him, and yet
how? He had given her few flowers,
some bonbons, his photo, which she asked
him for, and that was all. He had spent
scarcely anything over her, and yet?
He laughed little scornfully. "What an
ass | amp" he thought; ''she wants our
impromptu friendship to drop, that is
ALL"
''Now you are vexed with me, she
said, slyly; well my town address
Thank you," interrupted Jack, cold
y; sit doesn't matter.
If he expected her to protest he was
mistaken. She said no more, and some
how the conversation got both cold and
constrained, till just before he said
goodbye" and then her demur prettiness
melted the reserve, and he took her in his
arms and he kissed her passionately. The
shades eff evening had fallen, and there
were but people on the.sands to witness the
embrace, and these few were also in
dulging in cloves young dream, or a
very fair imitation of it.
Goodbye" was said, and it was only
when Jack was finally off by the night
mail that he remembered Miss Propriety
had not given him the proffered address
When Jack settled down IN the gay
metropolis depend upon it he told all his
friends about his Irritation with the fair
unknown, and his imagination was a live
ly one, his description of Molly was fiat
tering. The remembrance of the half
finished sentence, my own address is
caused him to portray her as a charming
young heiress, and her likeness for one
morning he and she amused themselves in
having their photos taken together ON the
sands) was frequently handed round to his
masculine friend.
Time passed on. and although Jack
theater or strolled about the "West End, y
yet he never succeeded in catching
even a passing glimpse of g Miss
Propriety." One evening Jack met an
old friend of his, tom Willis, who had
America. The usual brusque kindly
GO m I'm ol1 brpon
interchanged, and mutual condolences en-
sued after supper, when their tongues had
got loosened with wine.
Naturally Molly's name cropped up,
and Tom was treated to such description
of her that at last he cried: DRY up, old
fellow; you make my mouth water" Then
did Jack show him the likeness.
''Strange,' said Tom, looking at it
carefully, 'but her face seems surprisingly
familiar to me-
Jack laughed little contemptnously. Il
don t fancy that you know her. he re-
girl--not a bit like the women in our
set
Tom looked again. A sudden CLEAN of
recognition came into his eyes and a queer
smile fickered around his mouth. "You re
IlSut my Doy, ue Sdlu; Sic Ho1 Inc
the women IN our set. -
On Friday Tom visited Jack in his Of
fees. How do?" he said. "Come to
know if you are disengaged tomorrow
Afternoon and will come with me and call
upon my sister at Sydenham? | don t
think you know her and she's jolly little
soul, and has heard me speak of you so
often that she is longing to be introduced
to you, and her husband is an awfully
decent ebay.
Jack had no engagement SO he accepted
the invitation and Toms eyes danced with
satisfaction, and a keen appreciation Of
some private joke. The next day the two
friends met at London bridge and went to
Sydenham. "Toddes, Tom irreverently
called his sister Mrs Nugent, was a
charming pretty little woman, she and her
husband and some friends were sitting on
the lawn and her welcome was so gracious
and hearty that he felt he had known his
host and hostess the best part of his life.
How it occurred he never knew but the
conversation turned on ''Slocum.
Il don't know much about it, said
Mrs. Nugent Il was once there My
parlor maid was i'll and | sent her there
for change. so | went to see her."
''Ah, but Jack had quite an adventure
there said Tom, mischievously; met
the Empress of Austria or some Princess
or other; which was it chappie?"
Jack colored angrily. '.Don'o be vexed
Mr.. Meredith" pleaded Toddles. You
know Tom is fohd of chatting. But do
tell US about your adventure.
1T was nothing at all, assure you, "
replied Jack, but Mrs. Nugent was not
IL L L i IL all l.