Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-06
MABEL'S HUSBAND.

! L
another word to her." said Robert Dale.
| But why not? Only tell me why not!''
= cried out little Florrie eli nbing up the
beams of the barn loft, 50 that her head
should be Just on level with that of her
brother, and cIasping him around the neck
with both arms.
Robert was tall hundsome young athlete,
at that moment busy in menuing one of the
cogs of steam pillow with deft and ready
| touch.
His dark brown hair hung in heavy
masses over his broad forehead; his hazel
eyes were full of latent fire, and there was
q world of character and resolve in his
mouth and chin. One might easily ex-
cuse Florrie Dale for being proud of such
brother.
Don't you see, Flora?" said the young
giant, gently putting away the hands that
interfered with the delicate screw he
| held. II never asked her to be my wife
while she Was poor and dependent school
teacher here. How can | have the face
to do it now that she has inherited for
| tune"
Flora balanced herself on the beam, her
dimpled face looking out from its frame
work of hay; a speckled hen came cackling
| from the nest IN the fragrant hay, and a
half dozen captive swallows flew back and
| forth in the peak of the barn overhead.
But you were just going to ask her,
| Bob, you know you were!'
"Ah, but how is she. to know it?'
why, by instinct, of course. decided
Florrie
Dale shook his head, with a rather sad
smile
mo, my little girl" said he Il do not
choose to be one Of the great army of
fortune hunters. I've lost my opportunity,
and there the end of it. 1t is my own
fant.'
Florrie burst into tears.
"Oh Bob!' said She
Robert Dale stroked down her sunny
head without sparkle of moisture in his
eyes, but he smiled wan smile, neverthe-
! less.
I've often read that pride was a sin, -
sobbed Florrie, but never comprehended
it before. Oh, Bob, I could almost hate
you. if didn't love you so daarly!'
And Florrie scrambled down from her
perch on the BEAM and ran away, with
both hands clasped over her face.
Dale leaked after her.
Poor little darling!" he said to him
self. 1t is but scratch on the surface of
her tender young heart! On mine it is a
deep wound, scared in with red hot iron
God help mel"
1t was one of those romances which oc-
cur III re, life oftener than any one has
an idea of. Mabel Wynne was pretty
young school teacher in Abbott's district
whose life of poverty had suddenly been
turned into riches by bequest of distant
and nearly forgotten relative To Mabel
herself it seemed like golden dream
How often she had built castles in the air,
where the foundation was, IF were
rich!' And how the dream had come
true; the pinnacle of the air castles were
actually shining athwarth the sky Of
her life, heretofore such a cold and gray
oxpanse!
'And now, said Mabel to herself, 81
can have my hearts desireS?'
She took counsel with no one, unless
now and then an hour with the gray head
ed old lawyer might come under that head ;
she SIMPLY did as she pleased.
Hey We seen the new house that Ma
bel Wyyne is buildin' % said one neigh
Dor to another. It's regular Aladdin :
castle! With the trees all cut away from
the lake, and new drives made through the
woods and heather statters set up he and
there and a row Of glass houses to raise
furrin plants and ripen grapes and peaches
before their time.
don tapprove of nc such notions" SOL
EMMY answered the other ITO my mind
it's a clear settin O. Providence at def
ance. Grapes in March. And orange
trees a fowerin' in this ere climate, with
the snow on the ground! Mark my words,
there won no good come of it.
1t was bright September evening when
Mabel Wynne stopped at the old Dale farm
house.
Florie rushed out to meet her. and
greeted her with hugs and kisses innum-
! cradle.
Dear. dear Mary" she said ''Why
haven t you been to see US before?"
why haven't you been to see me?" re-
torted Nobel. with the piquant. off hand
manner which was one of her greatest
charms. That is the question, | should
think"
Florrie's eyeIashes dropped; instinctively
she turned to her brother
Robert advanced to her rescue, offering
Miss Wynne his hand, with excellent i'm
itatiOn of composure.
Because, Mabel, your time has been
so much occupied" said he Il told Flor
RE that things were anged-that you
could hardly be expected to have leisure TO
devote to her silly prattle.
How did YOU know that things were
changed?" cried Mabel, with a resentful
fash in her vioet-blue eyes
Why, my own common sense told me
So"
WAS that the reason that you haven t
been to see me?'
One Of the reasons
Obi said Mabel with an INDISPENSABLE
intopation of voice, and fixing her eyes
upon his with a sudden qestiOning
glance. which he was but too thankful to
evade by looking another way! That
was all that you cared for your old friend,
eh?"
IF could be of any real pranctical use
to my old friend
You can briefly interrupted Miss
Wynne
Tell me how and l shall be at your
service
Florrie put her arms around her friends
neck, whispering softly:
This is like old times, May
And shall want Florrie, too added
Mabel, ''to help exc out my own ex-
perience. A mans Judgment and a
woman's taste. May | count on both of
you?'
ION me. certainly said Robert Dale.
You might know how that | would be
ready to help you'll cried Florrie, almost
inclined to be aggrieved.
Then will both of you come up to The
Glen tomorrow at 10 O. lock?"
That s the name of your new fairy
palace?'