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

Bonnell. She turned and walked
toward the house.
Poor little girl. "-said Rob. He knew
now why she was going to marry
Henry. She would be her own mis-
tress. She would be independent.
She would be free from repellant labor
and petty despotiSm. If the absorbed
and passionate devotion all Young
hearts crave it was not in the nature of
Dreier to give her, she would at least
receive kindness and affection. And.
morbid sentimentalists to the contrary,
half Il loaf is preferable to no bread.
Bonneil went back to the road. He
stood by the buggy, waiting. He could
hear within the house the sounds of
angry and aggrieved protestation.
When, carrying Il sachel, Miss JosyIan
came out, down the path, and to the
buggy, her lips were set in mutinOus
red line, and her hazel eyes were black
with rebellion. Silently he helped her
in. Silently they drove off. Warmer
the day had grown. The fresh, half
pungent scent of broke" ground
drifted to them. And family heard
they the murmurouS Whir and hum
that prelude5 the summer.
1t is about three hours drive from
ConcorIia to BelleyiIle. They had
travelled more than half the distance,
and almost in utter silence, when all at
once Linnet broke down in a fit OF
childish weeping.
Turn" Size painted. ''Go back. I
can't marry Henry Dreier. He is good.
Yes, know that. But TO be with him
always! ., mono. ! was foolish.
l only wanted to got away from Batch
fordS. II didn't think of the sin OF
marrying for such u reason. Take me
back-pIease"
A force mightier than his will,
mightier than himself, mastered Ro b
Bonnell. S-dish0nOrabIe?
Perhaps. But he could at that mo-
ment no more have held back the
words that sprang from his heart to
his lips and overiiOWed them than he
could have restrained the fierce fury of
a mountain flood.
'Linnet," he cried, hoarsely, I
love you! Marry mel"
o." she whispered, and shrank
back trembling. lie had stopped the
team. He turned in his seat and faced
her. Their eyes met. There was
that in his imperious, steady, fervent.
that compelled surrender. Linnets
lashcs dropped Rob bent and kissed
her. That broke the mad spell that
was upon them both.
Don't. she said. GO on. Icould
care for you-yes. But the disIoyalty
would be more wicked than-than
keeping my word"
Bouncll snatchcd out the whip. He
gave the horses lash. He drove
straight on towards Beleville. There
he left Linnet at the hotel. He then
went straight to the office. He found
Drcicr alone. and in high spirits.
"WclI," he cried, that elevator
business was fixed to-day. We've
come out several thousands ahead.
What is the matter? You lock like
ghostr'
DO T." with wan smile. 'Iought
to look like a scoumdrel. I've fallen in
love with your sweetheart, Henry. [
asked her to marry me. kissed her"
Dreior said not word for several
moments. When he spoke it was in
his ordinary bland and drawing voice.
If Linnet likes you better than he,
it's all right. Mistakes shouldn't be
made in matjimony any more than in
business. Mistakes are poor policy.
They don't pay. Anyhow, Bob Saw
yer's widow would suit me nearly as
well. She isn't pretty like Linnet,
but she owns Il half-section over in
Logan county that joins mine"
Such an unexpected reply! Such a
delightfully."- unromautic reply! Rob
burst into boyish and ecstatic shout
of laughter. He felt he could afford to
laugh.
He married Linnet. Rumor says the
Sawyer and Dreier half-scction in
Logan county will soon be consolidated
in one farm.
And thus, prosaicaIly and pleas
antly, eliminated in Kansas Il modern
MaYtloWer romance.