Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-18

Funny isn't it," people remarked. Lit
Tie Mrs Blake doesn't seem overioyed at
the prospect of joining her husbands
Across the wide seas, in lonely misery,
went the mother, feeling as if every mile
she travelled stole away some of her life
with it. Little hands held the end of the
thread-that thread of her life and happi-
ness which was being reeled off faster and
faster the farther she travelled from them.
Ships passed her in mid-ocean, and she
longed to scream across the cold waste of
waters and implore those in charge of the
vessels to stop and take her back, till the
strain becamA almost too much for heart
and brain
'Why did desert them?" was the burden
Of her cry. ''Oh, why was I in such a
hurry?"
Only two short weeks ago she was with
her darlings, their clinging arms about her
neck, their soft pleading voices sounding in
her ears, and now already she had put miles
Of sea between them and her. 1t was as if
she had felt that there was not a moment
to lose, and that she must be by her hus-
bands side upon a certain given date at
latest; vet he had never limited at such
condition, nor fastened her movements in
any way. And now it seemed as if the hur-
ry swamped her whole mental being; and,
as she approached her journeys end, mad
feverish longing to get to Jim took posses
sion of her.
1t was evening-the evening but one be-
fore the vessel arrived. The sun, like
fiery globe, lowered above the horizon, gid
ing the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.
eyes fixed upon the golden mirror, suddenly
started violently with stihed scream, as
though somebody had fired off gun at her
elbow. She sprang to her feet and stretch
ed out both hands with a cry of "Jim!"
Then quietly sat down and cried a little,
and presently smiled at her own foolishness.
lit is the great heat" said the ships doc
tor, land the nerves are unstrung. A little
bromide-a nights rest. Soon be in Bonn
bay" &c.
At last! Before dawn every creature was
on deck, eager to catch the first glimpse of
one of the most beautiful natural harbors OF
the world.
The sheltering hills were Just emerging
from the blue night-mists and clothing
themselves in radiant colors. Boats were
putting off from the still distant bu1lder, and
swept along with orange CLEANS. Pussy ex-
cited passengers crowded the deck, hugging
their small possessions, each one convinced
in his own mind that he would be the first
to be fetched off,"
''The pilot hasn't come on board yet" re-
marked the Captain impatiently, in answer
to the stream of anxious questions; land
he's always the first; and along with him
comes the health-oficer. No one is allowed
on board till we've proved clean bill OF
health"
''Jim will arrive with the pilot and the
health-officer," said Nelly to herself.
'I think that will do" remarked Captain
Blake proudly, surveying, with his head
on one side, row of limp plantains which
stood, or rather dropped, on either side OF
the garden path. They were being mum
da,ed with water in the hope Of reconciling
them to the change of scene; but the stiff
ness was all out of their prim green skirts
and they looked sorrowful and sad.
For days the harsh squeak and creak OF
the primitive windlass at the well had been
incessant, making it's own monotonous scale
of discOrds from dawn till dusk, accompan-
led by the cheerful oaths and cultural noises
INDUCED in by the goaders of the oxen. The
garden was being flooded with water in or
der that flowers might grow in tropic haste
to welcome Nelly.
The inside Of the tiny bungalow was mar.
velously transformed. The Colonel had got
his way in the matter of China mating and
curtains, and sundry et-cBteraS after his owr
heart
On this day j i'm had spent the whole OF
the time in going into and out of a certain
apartment which was entirely of his owr
CONFERENCE.-THE lady's boudoir and hall
dressing-rOOm.
All was ready now, even to the gorgeous
pin-cushiOn and cut-glass scent-bottles with
tops of Indian silver; and he had gone Sc
far as to provide an exquisite silver box ir
which were powder and puff! He arrang
ed the pretty things afresh for the fiftieth
time, and ended by shutting the violet pow:
der all over his mustache in his eagerness
to test its perfume.
The bugie sounded. One more parade
only onc--for he would be off before dawn
on the morrow to meet his wife!
The charger paved the ground before the
door. Jim put on his gloves, sword, and
helmet; the groom held the bride, and in
another moment Jim was off at mad
gallop. The Captain sahib was never too
early for parade, and the dear old horse
knew it.
How gallant and handsome the young Off
Ger looked, as he refined up for a moment to
see what effect his masterpiece produced
upon the beholder from the road If only
he and Nelly could manage to time their ar
rival for just that hour of the evening when
n nd ba
lent such enchantment to the temple among
the palms, to the patriarchal well-yes, even
to the cool green plantains which still wore
an injured look but were pleasant and rest
full to the eye
A shake of the reins and another mad gal
lop brought Captain Blake on to the parade
ground just in time to meet the Colonel leis-
urely riding up.
Talking and laughing, together they ap-
preached the regiment; then the junior Off
Ger was about to turn aside to take up his
position, and the Colonel opened his mouth
to give the word of command Before the
words had left his lips, there was the CLINT
OF a rife, glare of hatred from wicked
eyes, sharp report, and fiendish trium-
plant yell.
The victim, throwing up his arms, fell
hoaFAy " Ihe sIouhu Will uudI 1huu. LII
moment every English officer was off his
horse, and knot of blanched and Mortified
watchers waited while the doctor cut open
the victims uniform.
Close by a horrible scuff1e was taking
place. Amid yells and oaths, and after
many wound more or less severe, Shaik
Ibrahim was finally overpowered. In his
frenzied blood-shot eyes there was a CLEAN
of fury as he was dragged away, for he had
been bafied. His work had been hindered;
he had been permitted to shoot lone dog
only instead of two