Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-31
OUT OF THE QUESTION.

"The kind of girl [ shall marry?" ques-
toned Harry Jackson of his friend. "Why
yes, | know just as we'll the kind of girl |
shall marry as if [ were engaged to her
now" And he half closed his eyes and
leaned back in his chair.
''She must be tall az graceful, perfect
hostess, one who is eminently fitted to sit
at the head of my table and entertain my
guests. She must be bright, accomplish
ed, of ready wit, but not all intellect-de-
liver me from woman who IS all brain
she must be an accomplished linguist,
and know about art and music; IN fact,
everything that makes womna social
success.
"Of course | want her to have good
disposition. | shall not have to marry a
woman for money, for have plenty Ut
that. want some one to grace my home.
OF course wOmPn who has done anything
toward her support would be out of the
question: Harry daintily brushed the
ashes from his cigar and waited for bis
friend to speak.
They were both young men Of fashion,
dressed in white flannel, sitting on the
piazza Of great fashionable hotel.
Cdu StG TIC iutuI hIS Lib
friend laughed, though | can't for the
life of me see why You object so to a wo-
mans earning her livelihood If she has to.
You know there are too many changes of
fortune: Why, one of TIE most charming
"Pshaw!' interrupted Harry, L know
to whom you refer, and you think she
is signing a little for me. Well,
| Eleanor Platfs may be a sumner, but the
very fact that she takes pupils kills he1
| for me.
| The other young man flushed d little,
and his eyes burned with bright light as
he replied,
Miss Platts has shown herself hero
inc. Ia the face of society, she has risen
to the emergency. Her fathers failure
was an honest one, aud when he died she
refused 10 be dependent upon that
querulous, misery aunt, and eonse
quently was cut eff from her will. By
the way, she is here as Marian Ellis
guest"
There was little pause. Harry laughed
and soon the two strobe eff toward Harry
yacht.
The young girl just around the corner
of the house from where they had been
sitting clasped her hands tightly to
gether, pressed her lips, and an angr!
flush spread over her face. Then the ri
diculousness of the whole thing came owe
her, and she smiled, in spite Of the hur
that would make itself felt.
That night there was hop at the hotel
and Robert Evelyn was surprised to SEE
his friend harry devoting himself to tbt
very girl he had sneered az that after
noon.
Eleanor was dazzing!y beautiful that
night. She was dressed In a pure white
her cheeks were flushed, her deep brown
eyes shone with a happy light, and he
lips were parted In a smile as she circleC
around the room with Harry for part
ner.
"Ab, she has always loved him,
though Robert, bitterly And Harr,
loved her, believe, before her father fail
ed. Poor girl! How little she know
that he is trihing with her, the sconn
dreI!"
After the waltz Harry and Eleano
promenaded slowly up and down thu
hal.
Il have not seen you for two years" h
said
mo, not since papa died. You hav
been abroad. Did you enjoy sight-see
ing?" she replied.
"ImmensaGv, though Paris suits me bes
to live in You used to like Italy"
Yes, and Italy has served me TO gooC
advantage. l have pupils in singing
and Italian, you know"
Harry WINGED little She was s.
beautiful aud charming that he had al
most forgotten. Besides, if he did anus
himself now be night be forgiven, for b
used to know her SO well. He bad fan
cied himself quite in love. She ha
served for ali his ideals. except for he
absurdity in being independent of her rel
ties.
Robert watched them and sighed h
had long loved Eleanor, but his forum
was so small compared with Harry's, ali
! Eleanor deserved so much that he had de
: cIed to withdraw from the st of suitorS
1t Ste could win Harry there was nothin
tor hin to do but bear it.
The days went on. She was by far til
most charming and the cleverest girl Z
the hotel. NJ amat ur theatricals wei
successful without her, nor, in fact, wa
ANYTHING undertaken unless she woui
help.
As The season drew to close Harr
| was her con tant cavalier. She accepte
his devotions with smile, and he had al
most come to the conclusion that it di
not matter after ALL If he should mari
her, it would only restore her to her riga
full position.
On the last night the guests had a
ranged for an impromptu entertainment
Eleanor was in demand on every hand.
Between a farce and piano solo ST
tle out to the piazza to sit moment
the cool night air. Some one stood befol
ner-it was Harry.
Il have come to tell you, Eleanor, tbf
| can not let you 90 without asking you
he my wife without telling you 10,