Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-28

he, CiOl InInk IfleTe Is HUGH euduCS OF
my escaping DEATH"
4 shouldn't mind in the least being on
guard in such a cause" says the stranger,
politely, with the same carefully-suppressed
smile upon his lips (which are very hand
some) as had moved them while ago.
Command me if you will; but would have
you remember that, even though | should
come to the rescue, it would not save you
an unpleasant ducking, and and your pref
ty gown with a. glance that Is almost af-
fectionate atthe white Indian cotton, would
| be completely ruined"
Even that dire idea doesn't daunt me-"
says Monica, gayly; you forget that the
more limp l am the more aesthetic l shall
look. Well" with a sudden relapse into
melancholy. II suppose l must give itup,
and not go round the corner to-day"
But lchu not?' exclaims he, eagerly. My
boat is at your service. Do take it, | have
quite done with it. have indeed, and it is
lighter than it looks
TOO heavy for me, am afraid,' says
! Monica, with a sigh.
Is it? Then" with desperate boldness,
''let me row you"
''Oh, nor returns she, blushing warmly.
'You forget" with a swift glance at him,
''y0u are quite a stranger to me-"
Yet he is not quite such a stranger as she
thinks. She is not such a stranger to him
at least. because her face, seen for minute
about week ago. has haunted him persist
/ emily ever since.
LAS we live in the same ne,ghborhood, we
cannot long continue Strangers he says,
gently: land. in the mean time, why lose
| this lovely afternoon. and that corner you
! were speaking Of? The view of the sea,
| when you get round it, is really worth see.
| ing"
Yes, yes, I dare say" reluctantly turn
| inc to leave him. Il shall see it some day."
Look here" says the young man, very
earnestly, following her as she moves. IF
YOU will come with me YOU will see it nOlD.
| l will only be your oarSman; won't say
! word to you unless you wish it; | won't
| even look at you. Think of me as common
| bOatman you have hired by the hour; o.,
| better still, don't think of me at all With
a little care you might bring yourself to inn
| agine I wasn't there"
but if we met any one?' says Miss Beres-
! ford, yisibly reIenting.
impossible! There is never soul on
this stream save myself l have been here
now every day for ten days, and never yet
| came upon even the ghost of anything hui
man."
Very well,'' says Monica, though still
ii.
you have pledged yourself not to speak to
me, or 10 look at me-" At this he fixes on
| her so prolonged a gaze that one may readily
understand he means it to be last one for
some time.
Then he turns aside, and, having brought
! his boat to her side of the fence, holds out
| to her his hand. AS he does this he keeps
| his eyes bent upon the ground, as though
| determined to let her know his penance has
already begun.
| Il am not III the boat yet" says Monica,
with quaint little smile, laying her palm
on his. WhereupOn he looks at her again;
and then, as their eyes meet, they both
| laugh jOyously, as youth will when it meets
| youth.
! Lightly she steps into his boat, and slow
| ly. lazly, he rows her down the little river,
| -f0wer-clad on either bank,--letting the
| boat drift almost at its own sweet will.
! Monica is letting her little slender fingers
trail through the water ana The fat leaves
! OF the lilies He. with his coat Off, is pre-
| tending to row, but in reality is letting his
| body grow subServicnt to his mind. He has
! even adhered honOrably to his promise not
! to look at her, and is still mentally ambi-
| tious about being true to his word in this
respect. when an exclamation from her puts
an end to all things.
| oh! look at thGt lily!' she says, excited
| ly. ''Was there ever such a beauty? If you
| will row a little more to the right, am sure
| shall be able to get it.''
| Don't stir. I'll get it," returns he, CRATE
| full to the lily for this break in their pro-
| giamme; and presently the floating prize is
secured, and he lays it, wet and dripping,
! i'll her outstretched hands.
after all, You see, you broke your prom
| ise," she Says,a moment later, most migrate
| fully, glancing up at him coquettishly from
| under her long lashes.
| But who made me do it?'' asks he, re-
PEACEFULLY, whereupOn she laughs and red
| dens.
II never confess" she says, shaking her
pretty head; 'and after aldo you know?
I am rather glad you spoke to me, because,
though like being quite by myself attimes,
| still | hate silence when any one is with
me-"
$50 do l." says her companion, with the
| utmost cheerfuness.
! Il think" leaning toward him with a
friendly smile, u cannot do better than be-
| gin our acquaintance by telling you my
name. It is Monica Beresford."
Monica" lingering over it lovingly; "a
beautiful name, think. [ think, too, it
suits you. Mine is not to be compared to
! yours; but such as it is, give it your
He throws a card into her lap.
Il hope it isn't John Smith, ;" says Monica,
smiling and picking up the card. But as
she reads what is printed thereon, the smile
| fades, and an expression of utter diSmay
| oYeTspreads her face.
Desmond'-Oh! not Desmondp' she
says, imploringly, her lips growing quite
pale.
Eyes it Is Desm0pd," says the young man,
| half amused, half puzzled. You really
think it ugly, then. Do you know rather
fancy my surname, although my Chris
"YOu are nOt-yOu cannot be the Des-
! mOnd" Interrupts she. hastily.
mo; that's my UNCLE" says the young
man, innocently.
''Oh! then you acknowledge the crime?''
in deep distress.
Il didn't know that an old Irish title
must necessarily be connected with guilt"
says her companion, fairly puzzled.
''Eh?" says Monica, puzzled in her turn.
So don't understand you; l only Want to
know if you are one of the particular Des-
mOndS?'
Il suppose not" he replies, now openly
amused, because I regret to say we have
never yet done anything worthy of note, or
likely to distinguish US from all the other
| DeSmonds, whose name is legion"
eff you are going to tell me you live at
Coole," says Miss BeresfOrd, in tone that
is almost tragic, Il warn you it will be the
last straw. and that I shan't be able to
bear it,
Il am not going to tell you anything"
protests he.
'But you must" declares she, illogicaIly.
ST may as well hear the worst at once. Go
on" heroically; tell me the truth. Do you