Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-10

1t was more than sprinkling-it was
gaining hard. Big drops cracked on her
umbrella and dripped from it
But her chief interest lay in the butch
er's wagon. 1t had ratified into yard
and hadn come out. anG she was anxious
to get ahead of it. Then she would march
on stiffiy when he repassed her and not
even look at him again
1t was pouring now. Her umbrella was
of small Use; she was getting wet from
head to foot, and the mud grew deeper with
every ster.
And, Oh dear! there was the bridge, and
it was under-two good inches under she
wished she had waited under the tree,
dropped into anything-because
now Jerry would see her splashing over
the submerged planks, as splash she would,
for she wouldn' t ride now if he should beg
er on his knees.
What a time. Her mother wasn't ex-
pecting her, either. She knew in her
wounded heart that size had come princi-
paIly because of certain expectations, and
she despised herself
Was she going to cry? Not If she knew
it. Here was the bridge, and behind came
that dreadful rattle of wheels, and she
grasped her skirts, and almost shutting
her eyes in her shivering distaste, stepped
On the water-covered bridge
A plank in the middle was still visible,
and she made for it, splashing along fast.
What was cracking? Mercy! was the
bridge giving way? Yes, or one board of
it, Her cropping foot went suddenly
through and she fell forward.
She was so FAINT with fright that moth
ing was clear to her for a good thnee
minutes, and then she found herself
perched high, though not dry, on the
seat of Jerry's wagon, safe on the other
side of the bridge, with Jerry's handker-
chief hopping her white face, Jerry's coat
around her wet form, and Jerry's arm
| tight around the coat; and Jerry was talk
ing to her.
Don't think so. You amt going to
die | hain't killed you! Oh, Susy, m
sorry m awful sorry! | don t care who
you like, or who likes you. hadn' t
ought to got mad enough to let you tramp
alone in the rain. Oh, want pounding!
I'm going to get somt fellow to give me
one. Oh, Susy, don't! You didn' get
hurt. did you? Oh, Susy. how sweet you
look! Lord, what wouldn't | give to be
him."
| Mrs. Harring's capable manager sat up
| Stralght-a against Jerry S arm.
''Be who?" she demanded sharply.
why, Gibbs, said Jerry, Its Gibbs
you like, ain It it?'
) It's Gibbs ] like, is it?'' said Susy, in
dlgnantly, and now she broke down in
earnest. and fell to crying in Jerry hand
kerchief. Gibbs! Why, just hate him !!
He's going to marry Sally Porter, up our
way. and I'm sorry for her, that | am!
He overlook me the other night going
home, Mr. Gibbs did, and had to let him
take me in; but, my goodness. thought
what with his perfumery and Ioud tongue
he'd kill me. | never"
THAT Ii do, said Jerry, but he whisper
ed: That's plenty, Susy. I'm going
to thrash Cooley, though, cause he knew
better. If you don't like Gibbs, Susy, who
do you like? Do you like me? Say you
do, even if you don't, Susy, cause |
couldn stand it,
And Susy, with her damp head pressed
well against Jerry's bounding heart, did
say yes. And got kiss for it, too.
Cooley was forced to apologize. And
when Schultz took Jerry into partnersf Up,
year later, he and Susy got the parlor
set.-Emma A. Opper in Saturday Night.