Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-10
NETTIE'S LOVER.

|
Rowlands was helping her father with
bis coat, putting q stitch in Il finger
Of his glove, unfolding and tucking a
clean silk handkerchief into one of
his pockets, and then, clothes brush
In hand, walking round him to make
= general inspection of his outward
man before he departed.
Mr.. Rowlands sighed the while, for
she was his only child. and he was
about to lose her; nor did he feel that
he should gain son by her marriage.
Settie was going to mako what the
world called q good match, for Mar
maduke Osterly was connected with
one of the richest Of the wholesale
houses in the city. and moved in what
he and his relatives considered q much
: higher sphere than the RoWlands'. In
! fact he had cOndescended little in
wOoing Nettie for her prettiness and
vivacity, and if he were sometimes in
clined to forget this. he was rot allow
ed to do SO by his favOrite sister, Mrs.
Blenkinsop, who thought he might
and should have aspircd to an hciress
Or a pcercss.
| No, there would be no home for
quiet, simple Mr.. Rowlands under the
roof of his son-in-law. No cosy chair
set for him in a cosy corner, where he
j might puff away at his evening pipe,
while Nettie chartered to him or sung
her old songs. By the Osterly family
he was already made to understand
this, and he sighed again, loud enough
/ to reach Nettie's ear.
| ''What is it, father? Headache,
toothache, or thrcatenings of CONT?
/ All. [ knew that would rouse you.
What horror you have of that very
arstocratic complaint. If ever you do
have it-~at are you really quite
j well?"
''Cuite, my love; both able and
/ ready to do good days business" he
answered, forcing a smile, and trying
to appear more cheerful than he felt.
$50 give me a kiss and let me be off.
BY the way, is there anything you
want done for you in the course of the
day.
/ "OnIy this. " and Nettie handed him
q small parcel; you said you would
have to make q business call on Mr..
Blenkinsop, as his cold keeps him in
doors"
Mr.. Rowland nodded assent
Then give this to his lady. will
you? 1t is her birthday, so am bound
m no civil hove ,oo;o+o1 n, ;,,o,,,
card-case for her. Just say my kind
regards, etc, will you daddy, dear?
Then / need not write. / feel like q
i hypocrite when pen pretty things to
O person | can't endure"
| Mr.. ROwlands looked grave.
You are talking of Mr.. Osterly's
own sister, Nettie
'tAh! child. / hope you haven't made
a mistake! Mr.. Ostcrly is q very fine
gentleman, in an excellent position,
and able to give you everything your
heart could wish for; but I fancy you
might have been happier, if poorer,
with Charlie Willett. He's neither so
handsome nor so rich but as good and
sensible q young fellow as ever
breathed, and he loved you dearly,
Nettte.''
Here tho speakers mouth was stop
ped with Il kiss and an impatient re-
tort:
"That'll do, daddy. It's too late to
talk OF Charlie Willett' S good qualities
I've made my choice and mean to
abide by it. When | come into the
city in my carriage to fetch my dear
iather, or you sec me dressed like a
princess, giving grand entertainments
And wearing satin gowns and diamond
necklaces, won't you be better pleased
than if | married a needy clerk. wore
shabby clothes, and lived in suburban
lodgings?"
No" said Mr.. Rowlands. sto,1tly.
Your sainted mother and | spent the
happiest years Of our married life in
two rooms, and on a salary of-5ut
there comes the bus Anything else
can | do for you?''
NO, thanks; but, yes"-and Nettle
snatched UP a yellow-coveredv volume,
and wrapped it in paper this book
you bought me at the bookstall. yes
terday, turns out to be one Of those
odious mawkish society novels; do ask
the clerk to change it for one oil
Christie Murray'6 or Grant Aliens"
By this time the bus was being
pulled up at the garden gate, and Mr..
Rolands fastened Of to climb into it.
and he hurried away to his daily avo-
cations in a merchants office.
These he faithfully performed, for
he was one of the most conscientious
of men, never deirauGing his employ
ers of minute c. the time he cOnsid-
cred due to 3hem.
His call on Mr. Blenkirsop was
made in the hour allotted to him fol
luncheon, biscuit nibbled as he went
along being made to serve instead of a
heartier meal.
on leaving the Office he met Charlie
Willett the woIld-be sutton, whom
Nettie had rejected for Mr. Marina
duke Osterly.
So the younger man walked with the
elder one to his own door, listening,
or appearing to lis en-, to his remark:
with respectful attention. and ONLY
saying goodbye when Ne.tie hersel
appeared at the window, tapping or
one of the paneS to hasten her fathers
tardy movements.
1t was not like her to be so impa-
tent but Mr.. Rolands noticed tha.
his daughter appeared to be laborin9
: under great excitement.
did you do my errand to Mrs.
Blcnkinsop this morliag?"