Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-27


good enough not to" with little laugh
hiss me. have style of my own; but
Ell" with an encouraging glance at the
other msn, L dare say there are many here
who could do it as I do it,
Not one, l am convinced" says Des-
mond, promptly; and Monica laughs softly.
I'VE must thiiik it over. | don't believe
anything so Important could be got up with
out deep deliberatiOn-"O Olga is beginning,
when Kelly, by movement of the hand,
stops her.
do let it so on to its bitter end" he says,
in whisper with most unusual animation
for him. Mrs. Herrick, help me-"
why not, Olga?' says Hernia, in low
tone. THE principal characters are will
ing; we have not had a real laugh for some
time; why throw away such perfect
chance?"
''Oh! that" says Olga.
Here a light diversion is caused by the
appearance of footlnau, tea-,ray. boy,
gypsy table, maid, good deal of fruit,
maraschno, brandy, soda, and Madame
OConnar. The latter, to tell the truth, has
been having S.eSta in the privacy OF her
own room. and has now come down, like a
giant refreshed, 10 see how IT guests are
getting OH.
We'll. l hope you're al happy" she says,
ioviatly.
1--WE are mad with perplexity," says Olga.
whats the matter, then, darling?" says
Madame. Hernia, like a good child, go
and pour out the tea.''
I'll tell you all about it." says Brian, who
is special favorte Of Madame 0 COnnOrs,
coming over to her and stoopin- behind her
chair to whisper into her ear.
IL
moderately. 1t is easy to bring smiles to
at a stand-Still whilst her body grew DID,
but now she seems particularly fetched.
Yes, yes, my dear Oga, let them have
their own way, she says, merrily.
Very good. Let us consider it settled
says Mrs. Bohun. But should like some
tabeaux afTerward, as a wind-up."
Yes, certainly" says Ronayne. ''What
do you think, Madame?"
I've set my mind on them," says his old
hostess, gayly. You're such handsome
boy, Ulc, that I'm bent on seeing you III
fancy clothes; and so is somebody else, l
dare say. Look at the children, how they
steal toward us; were there ever such de-
mure little mice? Come here, GeOrrie, my
son, have peaches and pretty things for
YOU"
The kin1 old soul holds out her arms to
two beautiful children, boy and girl, who
are coming slowly, shyly toward her. They
are so like Hernia Herrick as to be U:.:ais-
takably hers. The boy, coming straight to
Madame O'ConnOr, climbs up on her lap
and lays his bOnny cheek against hers; but
the giri, running to her mother who is busy
over the tea-tray, nestles close 10 her.
Gently, my SOUL" says Hernia, in a soft
whisper. Though she still calmly pourS out
the tea, with Kelly beside her, she les the I'M
occupied hand fall, to mingle with the
golden tresseS of the child. AS her hand
NETS the little sunny head, a marvellous
sweetness cleepS Ito herface and tranSfiXeS
it to heavenly beauty. Kelly, watching
her, marks the change.
Go NJ round to the child, he would have
taken her i'll his arms,-2S is his habit with
mo t children, being special flvOrite in
every nursery; but this little dame, drawing
back from him, repels him cOdly. Then, as
though fearing herself ungraci0uS, she slow
ly extends to him tiny, friendly hand,
which he accepts. The likeness between
this grave baby and her graver mother is so
remarkable as to be almost ludicrous.
Il think you haven't given MI. Kelly even
one kiss to-day" says her mother, smiling
idlHlly, dIlu ClooCI W llSAs
''She is cold little thing, is she nOt?"
L suppose she inherits it," says Owen
Kelly, without lifting his eyes from the
chld's fair face.
Mrs. Herrick colors slightly.
will you let me get you some tea, FayP'
says Mr.. Kelly, addressing the child almost
anXiOusly.
NO, thank you," says the fairy, sweetly
but decidedly. My nanny will give me
half of hers. / do not like any other tea"
Il am not in favor to-day" says Kelly,
drawing back and struggling his shoulders
slightly, but looking distinctly disappointed.
1t may be the child sees this, because she
comes impuIsively forward, and, standing
on tiptoe before him, holds her arms up
ward toward his neck.
Il want to kiss you now," she says, sol
emily, when he has taken her into his en-
brace ''But no one else | only want to
kiss yOu sometimes,-and ClaOdyS mamma"
II am content to be second where mamma
is first. | am glad you pace me with her i'll
your mind. | should like to be always with
mamma" says Kelly. lie laughs a little,
and kisses the child AGAIN, and places her
gently upon the ground, and then he chances
at Hernia. But her face is impressive as
usual. No faintest tinge deepens the ordi-
nary pallor of her cheeks. Sac has the
sugar-tongs poised in the air, and is appar-
emily sunk i'll ab5truSe meditation.
''Now, l wonder who takes sugar and who
DOESN'T she says, wrinkling up her pretty
brows i'll profound thought. Il have been
here month, yet cannot yet be sure. Mr.
K lily, you must call some one else to our
assistance to take round the sugar, as you
can't do everything"
II can do nOthing," says Kelly, in low
tone, ter which lie turns away and calls
Brian Desmond to come to him.