Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22

short OF 1t IS, L made up my mind to
oct married, and to marry Linnet
Josvlan at that
Bonnell nodded interestcdly. Never
before had Henry been SO confden-
italy communicative.
Shes awfully pretty" he averred.
land [ like her quite as we'll us any
girl [ ever saw-indeed better. I've
built Il fine house, YOU know. She
shall have everything she wants. I'm
sure we'll be very happy"
Rob smiled grinIy. How prosaic
Dreier was! How unemolional! The
girl who would be content with the
affection he offered would have all she
deserved, Bonnell felt convinced.
And now" said Henry looking at
his friend, here is the fix I'm in-I
can't go over there to be married next
Thursday. The decision about that
new elevator the railroad men talk Of
putting up may be made any day. Il
would not do for me to risk being
away
Man alive!" cried Rob bringing
down the forele@s of HE chair with a
bang and springing to his feet. DO
YOU remember you would 90 to be
marricd?'
That is the identical reason I can't
gOr answered Henry with his usual
air Of serenity. The very fact of my
assuming new obligations would make
it culpable Of me to jeopardize my
business interests"
There was little amusement and q
good deal of contempt in the glance
Rob gave him.
And So" decided Dreicr putting
his short, thick hasds in his pockets,
Il wrote to Linnet that YOU would 90
over for her Thursday. aud bring her
to BelleyiIle. We can be married
here"
No longer could Bonncll conceal his
evaporation.
Good heavens, Dreier." he exclaim-
ed, cant yon see that what you sug-
gcst is informally bad form?'
Henry did not see it. He turned de-
libGrateIy to weigh the empty wagon
that had rumbled back on the scale
Then he calmly faced the Indignation
Of his partner.
No girl. avoWcd that wrathful in
dividGal lierccly, at least no GIRL in
her senses, would tolerate such dicta-
ton! You ought not to expect her to
come and 90 rs you decide, as if she
were trained terrier"
Henry smiled placidly.
80, she won't mind! My absence
from town might mean quite loss TO
me in Il money sense"
Defer your marriage Them
'PostpOnemcnts are unbuSineSSliken
1t was with something suspiciously
like an oath tit Mr.. Bonneil pulled
his hat down over his brows and swung
out Of the office.
He vowed over and over to himself
that he wouldn't 90 to ConcOrdia. 1t
was atrOciouS that he should he sent to
bring and deliver Il bride rs if she were
so much merchandise And vet. did
not Il poor poet bring Leila Rpokh to
the arms of her royal lover? Yes, but
the poet was the lover. Well. after
all. W hat business was it Of his? He
had given his word to Drcirr to do him
the favor requested. And the future
wife Of his partner must be but a. mar
row-mindci and spiritiess creatu,eand
unworthy his savage chiyaIry in her
defense.
SO he went; but against his will, as
Beatrice said. when she invited Bene-
diet in to dinner. 1t WAS still early.
not 10 o'clock, when he drew ND his
horses before the lar@c. ugly frame
farmhouse on the outskirts of Con-
corda.
1t was an April day, and delicious
one. The skies were most softly, sun
niIy, LUMINOSITY blue; everywhere
were plOWs furroWing the dark sod;
everywhere was budding groenery;
everywhere were budding bOughs; and
from the prairie GRASS came the per-
sistently cheerful chirp OF the meadow
larks. Kansas was that morning, as
she not infrequently is, more prodigal
of springtime promise than OF mid
summer fruitiOn.
Miss Josylan!"
The Weather-bcaten woman who had
answered his brisk knuckle-knocI on
the panels of the Scldom-used hall door
regarded him with stolid curiosity.
.'Linnet? She's out with the chill
dren somewhcres-gaddin' as usual.
Won't you come imp
No, thank YOU replied Bonnel,.
taking off his hat in fashion that the
poor rich woman for moment mag
ined implied supreme sarcasm. Il
shall try to find her"
Find her he did. She was in the
next field, with half dozen registering
young BIatchfords about her. They
were on their way 10 seek the where,
abouts of Il nomadic hen, or rather Of
her nest. The fear that she would
lay OUT had caused the mistress OF
the farm anxiety unutterable.
Although Bonnell had never seen
Linnet there was no installing her. A
girl city born and bred is. in the city,
one of multitude. In the country,
especially in the new western country,
she is diStinctively ana delightfully."-
conspicuous. She IS tue transferred
product Of a more luxurious and intri-
cate civilization.
Miss Josylau, believe said Bon
nell.
She bowed slightly. She stood re-
gariing him with Il glance Of quiet in
quiry. She WAS Il graceful GIRL Of per-
haps eighteen or twenty. Her gown
OF smoke-colorcd cashmere had never
been fashioned 10y II Kansas dress
maker. 1t was artisticaliy plain. 1t
fitted her rounded Young figure with
@love-likc SmoothHc>s. Il have come,
said Rob with an embarrassment for
ei~n to him, from Henry Dreier."
The face before nina very deli
cate. sensitive face it was. with dark
dashed hazel eyes and beautiful
mouth-famcd scarlet from soft hair
10 white throat.
lie did not receive my letter them?
You are Mr. Buunell?n