Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-26
WELL WON.
a Romantic Account of How DR.. Liv-
ingstone Won His Wife.

DR.. Livingstone and Harry Everton
were both rivals for Mrs Linden's
hand, and to an outsider their chances
of winning seemed about equal. Her
little daughter Edith settled the diff
ficult choice in this unique way.
Mamma" she said one day; what
is nusans?"
"a nuisance, darling?n
Yes. Mr. Everton said was lit
tie nusans yesterday. What does it
mean?
lit means thatyou are troublesome
little girl, I'm afraid,n laughed Mrs.
Linden, turning her eyes away con-
siderately from Everton's crimsoned
face.
Il ant one bit troublesome!" ex-
claimed Edith, Indignantly. BE I,
doctor?n
Not to me-" said Dr. Livingtone
gathering her up closely to his breast.
Now, no mother however sensible,
likes to have her child called a nui-
sance, and Mrs. Linden treated Everton
little coolly for some days after this
thing so seductive in the charm of his
words and manner that the old spell
returned, and there were times that she
almost believed she loved him. But
Mrs. Linden instinctively loved the
good and the true, and there was some
thing in DR.. Livingstone's simple hon.
esty and sterling goodness, if he had
the courage to urge his suit. that would
have turned the scales in his favor AS
it was they hung very evenly, Mrs.
Linden being puzzled to decide which
Of them she liked the best.
1t was while in this doubtful, unset
tied state of mind that both suitors
preached the subject that was so near
to their hearts, Everton with bold
ness and confidence that have won
many woman from less assured but
more worthy men; Livingstone with a
trembling eagerness which showed how
highly he estimated, how much he
feared to lose the prize for which he
was striving. To both she had only one
answer-that she would decide and let
them know before her departure, which
was near at hand.
Mamma, do you love DR.. Living
stone?n
Now as this was a question that she
was just asking her own heart Mrs
Linden was not little startled at her
words.
''What makes you ask that, Edith?"
well, but do you?' persisted the
child. He asked me last night if /
wouldn't teach you to love him. |
said you didn't need to be teached.
Was that right?"
..Vo,, ci,nn1,Iy,1+ oh
DR.. Livingstone, said Mrs. Linden,
her face all aglow with bushes.
''Why?"
This being question not very easy
to answer it remained unanswered.
But do you love DR.. Livingstone.
mammal" repeated Edith, renewing
the attack with fresh zeal and energy
Il think do" responded Mrs. Lin
den, slowly, replying more to the ques-
ton in her own heart than to that up
on the sweet lips lifted so eagerly to
hers.
At this opportune moment the doc
tor entered.
Breaking away from her mother,
Edith ran to meet him.
Mamma does love you! She just
told me sou
Holding Edith's hand in his, DR..
Livingstone stood before her mother,
his face flushed with hope and Joy.
"Kate!-Mrs. Linden! - does this
dear child speak truly?"
The new and sweet revelation that
had come to the questioning heart was
very clearly mirrored in the eyes that
were lifted to his, making the words
that followed scarcely needed.
She speaks truly"
With sudden movement DR.. Liv-
ingstone clasped both mother and
child to the breast that was to be their
protection and shelter through all the
years hat followed.
Edith announced this unwelcome
fact to Mr.. Everton the next morning
and in manner SO unique and origl-
nal that we can not forbear TRANSCRIPT
ing it.
You can't be my papa! DIR. Liv-
ingstone's going to be my papa!' she
shouted at him across the breakfast ia
BILE, to the no small amusement of
those present. among whom Mrs. Lin
den fortunately was not one, not be-
ing yet down.
Mr.. Everton left the following day,
taking with him a very clear realiza-
ton of how small was the hand that
had toppled down the castle he had
taken so much pains to rear.-N. 7.
Morning Journal.