Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-08
CHAPTER XIII.

Olle IL udHClIlS, anu ldlklll9, anu laughing,
and some are aIluring, by the aid of smiles
and waving fans the hearts of men.
Kit Beresford, in spite of her youth and
her close cropped head,-whch, after all,
is adorable in many ways,-has secured, all
to her own bow, young man from the
Sklllereen-BlrrackS Ga meager town to the
west OF kO>SmOyne). lie is a UGry young,
young man, and is by this time quite bon
CdTndrdde with the Sedate Kit who is
especially lenent with his shortcomings,
and treats him a. though he were nearly as
old as herself.
Monica is dancing with Mr.. Ryde. To do
him Justice, he dances very well; but
whether NJ mica is dissatisfied with him, or
whether she is tend ,rly regretful Of the fact
that at this moment she might just as well
or rather bcttar-be dancing with another,
l cannot say; but certainly her fair face is
clothed with a pen5iVe expression that
heightcns its beauty i'll a considerable de-
gree.
Look at that girl Of Priscilla BIake's,"
says Madame O'COnnOr, suddenly, who is
standing at the head of the room, surround
ed, as usual, by young men. Look at her.
Was there ever such a picture? She is like
martyr at the stake. That intense express
sion suits her"
Brian Desmond fiushes little, and Kelly
comes to the rescue.
"a martyr?' he says. 81 don't think
Ryde would be obliged to YOU if he heard
you. | shodld name him as the martyr, if
were you. Just see how hop3essly silly
mean, sentimcntal-he looks"
yet | think she fancies him." says Lord
ROSSmoynC, who is one of those men who
are altogether good respectable and dense.
"Nonsenscw says Madame O'Connor, in
dignantly. what on earth would she fancy
that jackanapes for, when there are good
men and true waiting for her round every
corner?'
As she says this, she glances whole vol
umeS Of encouragement at Desmond, who,
however, IS so depressed by the fact that
Monica mas danced five times with Ryde,
and is now dancing with him again, that he
gives her no returning glance.
AT this apparent GOODNESS on his part, the
blood of all the kings of Munster aWakeS Ill
Madame OConnor's breast.
'"POn my conscience" she says, II
wouldn't give good farth,ng for the lot of
you, to let that girl go by! She came into
Rossmoyne on the top of a hay-cart l hear,
more luck to her, says | for it shows the
pluck in her and the want Of the sneaking
fear Of what he and she will say (mOre
especially ShC) that SpOilS half our women
When | was her age I'd have done it myself.
ROSSm0ync, get out of that, till get an
other look at her. like her face. 1t does
me good. 1t is so full of life ct {e bcdlLe dlC
didbJG, says Madame OConnOr, who speaks
French like native, and be it understood
Irish, too.
I'VE like to look at her, too" says Owen
Kelly.
ITO look, indeed! That would be thought
poor comfort i'll my days when pretty WO-
man was in question, and men were menV
says Madame, with considerable spirit. ''lf
/ were young fellow, now, It's in the
twinklng of an eye I'd have her from UNI
der her auntS nose and away in Il coach
and-fOur."
THE sole thing that prevents our all elop-
ing with Miss Beresford OH the spot isis
the difficulty OF finding the coach-and-four
and the b blacksmith" says Mr.. Kelly, with
even denscr gloom upon his face than
usual. Indeed, he now appears almost on
the verge Of tears.
1--WE never lost time sreculating on ways
and means i'll those days." says Madame
O'Connor, throwing up her head. "WhOo!
Times are changed indeed since my grand
father played old Harry with the country
men and my grandmother'S father by run
ming away with her without word to any
one, after a big ball at my great-grandmoth-
er'S, and that, too, when she was guarded as
Il she was the princess royal herself and
had every man i'll the South OIL his knees to
her"
But how did he manage it?" says Des-
mond, laughing.
Faith, by making the old gentleman my
great-grandfather as drunk as fiddler, on
drugged potheen," says Madame . Conner,
proudly. 1.-The butler and he did it between
them; but it was as near being murder as
anything you like, because they put so much
of the narcotic into the whisky that the old
man didn't come 10 himself for three days.
That's the sort of thing for me-" says Mad
anne, with a little flourish OF her shapely
hand.
80 it would be for me, too" says Kelly,
mournfully. But there's no one good
enough to risk my neck for, now you have
refused to have anything to do with me-"
Get along with you, you wicked boy,
making fun of an old woman!' says Mad
anne, with her gay, musica' laugh. Though"
with touch of pride, i won't deny but l
led the lads a fine dance when was the age
of that pretty child yonder."
Il wonder you aren't ashamed when you
think of all the mischief you did" says DeS-
mond who delights in her.
OWL btr' says Madame O'Connor.
'Still, really think Ryde affects her."
says ROSSmOyne, who being dull man, has
clung to the first topic promulgated.
"rhat's nothing, so long as she doesn't
affect him." says Kelly, somewhat sharply.
But perhaps she does; and l dare say he
has money. Those English fellows gener-
ally have reversiOn somewhere"
Not penny" says Mr.. Kelly. .'And.
whether or no, don't believe she would
look at him."
mot She" says Madame O'Connor.
II don't know that. And, even allowing
what you say to be true, women are not al
ways to be won by wealth. (with a faint
sigh, land he is very good-looking fel-
low"
us hep saws Desmond, speaking with an
effort. IF flesh counts of course he is
Let me have men about me that are fat
sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o
night To look at Ryde, one would fancy
he slept well, net only by night but by day. "
II feel as if was going to be sorry fol
Ryde presently" says Mr.. Kelly.
We'll, he's not the man for Monica" says
Madame O Connor, with conviction. See
low sorrow grows upon her lovely lace.
For shame 90 and release her, some one,
from her durance vile. Take heart Of grace,
go in boldly, and win her against all odds "a
But if she will not be won"' says Des-
mOnd, smiling but vet with an anxious eX-