Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02

are uuhlllQ TO me j. he speaks IlgnIig, Out
his eyes are earnest. Miss Katherine" he
says appealingly to Kit, "Of your grace, l
pray you to befriend me-"
Monica would not go to the river this
evening because she remembered an absurd
promise she made to Aunt Priscilla, and be-
cause she feared to meet you there. 1t is
the most absurd promise in the world; wait
till you hear it, Whereupon Kit, who is
in her element proceeds to tell him all about
Miss Prisclllas words to Monica, and Moni-
cas- answer, and her Kits Interpretation
thereof. SHE certainly didn't promise never
to speak to you again." concludes she, with
nod that Solomon might have envied.
Need it be said that Mr.. Desmond agrees
with her on all points.
There is no use in continuing this dis
cussion," says Monica turning aside little
cOIdIy. Il should not have gone to the river,
dnWUdy"
This chilling remark produces blank in
describable, and conversation languishes;
Monica betrays an interest in the horizon
never before developed: Mr.. Desmond re-
CARDS with a moody glance the ripening
harvest; Kit, looking inward, surveys her
mental resources and wonders what it is her
duty to do next.
oh, what lovely dOg-rOses!' - she says,
effusively, in tone that wouldn't have de-
ceived a baby: L really must get some"
Let me getthem oryou, says Desmond,
glOOmily which she at once decides is eX-
cessiyely stupid Of him. and she doing all
she can for him too! She tries to wither him
with a glance, out he is too miserable to be
lightly crushed.
No thank YOU" she says; 81 prefer get
ting them myself. Flowers are like fruit,
much more enjoyable when you pick them
with your own hands,"
So saying, this accomplished gOOSeberry
5kfpS round the corner, leaving Monica and
MI Desmond tete-G-tete.
That they enjoy their sudden isolation
Just at first is questionable: Monica dj5cOv-
CTS blOtS on the perfect horizon; and Mr..
Desmond, after full minutes pause, says,
reproachfully,-
You didn't really mean that, did you?''
Mean what"' uncOmprOmiSingly, and
without changing position.
That even if matters had been quite
quite comfortable with us, you would not
have gone to meet me at the rivera"
II don't know" in a low tone
''Sny you didn't mean it,
'I-SuppOse | didn't" even lower.
II hope your auntS were not cross to you
last evening on my accOunt?" he says, anXi-
ously.
mo. Nothing was said, more than Kit
told you, except that Aunt Priscilla touched
the point of Introduction. Oh, what fright
l got then! If she had persisted in her in
quiries, what aUOuId have become of me?"
couldn't you have" begins Mr.. DeS-
mono, and then stops abruptly. A glance at
the face uplifted to his checks his half-ut-
batered speech cffectually, and renders him,
sides, thoroughly ashamed of himself.
IF | had had to confess there had been
no introduction" goes on Monica, laughing
ly, Il don't know what would have been the
result"
1.-THE deluge, suppose" returns her COM
paniOn, thOughtfully.
'What pity you have an uncle at all"
says Monica, presently. ut would be all
right only for him." She omitS to say aChGt
would be all right, but the translation is
simple.
ooh, don't say that" entreats Desmond,
who has q wholesome affection for the old
gentleman above at COOle. "He is the kind
| est old fellow in the world. I think, if you
knew him, you would be very fond of him;
and | know he would adore you. In fact,
he is so kind-hearted that cannot think
how all that unfortunate story about your
| mother ever came about. He looks to me
as if he couldn't say Boo to agOOSe' where
woman was concerned, and yet his manner
tonight confirmed everything heard"
He confessed?" in a deeply interested
tone.
''Well, just the same thing. He seemed
distressed about his own conduct in the af-
fair, too. But his manner was odd, thought;
and he seems as much at daggers drawn
with your aunts as they with him."
'"That is because he is ashamed of him.
ic alUoyrc hardest IN those ono
| has injured
But that is just it," says Mr.. Desmond,
| in puzzled tone. 81 don't believe honest
! Iy, he is bit ashamed of himself. He said
a good deal about his regret, but could see
| he quite gioried in his crime. And, in fact,
l couldn't discover the smallest trace of re-
morse about him."
He must really be very bad old man."
says Monica, severely. I'm perfectly GER
tain if he were my uncle [ should not love
him at ALL"
Don't say that When he is your uncle
you will see that | am right, and that he is
a very lovable old man, in spite of all his
| faults"
| At this Monica bushes little, and twirls
! her rings round her slender fin gers in an eX-
cess of shyness, and finally, i'll spite Of a
stern pressure laid upon herself, gives way
to mirth.
"What are you laughing at now?' asks
| he, laughing too.
cat you,'' casting a swift but charming
| glance at him from under her long lashes
You do say such funny thingsw
''Did you hear there is to be an afternoon
| dance at the Barracks next week" asks he,
| presently. "T was at Clonbree on Thursday,
and Cobbett told me about it."
''Who is Cobbett?'
"The captain there, you know. He was
at Aghyohillbeg yesterday. Didn't you see
him,-a little, MISUNDERSTANDING man,
| with a skin the color of his hair, and both
| gray?"
"Oh, of cOurSe-now l remember him."
says Monica, this fetching description raw
ing cleared her memory. Thought to my
self how odd he and the other man, Mr..
| Ryde, looked together, one as big as the
other was little"
Il think there is more matter than brains
about Rldc," says Desmond, contemptu-
ously. $40 you think your aunt will let
you go TO this dance at Clonbree?'
"OL, no; [ am sure not. Ny aunts would
be certain to look upon dance in the Bar
| racks as something too awfully dissipated.'
For one reason 1 should be glad you
didn't co.
''Glad?' opening her eyes.
Eyes. That fellow Ryde never took his
eyes off you yesterday"
rs that crime?''
| In my eyes, yes"
And you would wish me to be kept
prisoner at home, just because one man
looked at me?'
t don want any one to look at you but
mef' Then he comes little closer to her
and compels her, by the very strength Of