Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20

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You would see my character unfold and
ripen, disclosing new beauties each day.
as the rose opens to the sun. should be-
come bright and shining orb to light
your pathway"
To the grave" finished Dorothy, as
Halls eloquence came to sudden stop. "a
charming prospect. certainly. 1t seems as
though [ had heard something like that
last before, but | will certainly give you
credit for great originality In other re
spects."
''Oh, you can laugh" said Hal, trife
discounted, but assure you this is a
serious matter for both of u.s.
Yes, you are right. It is a serious
question:, replied Dorothy, the laughter
in her eyes contradicting somewhat the
gravity Of the rest Of her face; quite SER
ious; but before consider your somewhat
unique proposal, Henry it might be we'll
for me to reply to a letter | had from Mr..
HazeltOn this morning. It isn't well to
have too many offers under consideration
/ at once, you know, and he certainly has the
prior claim, for he did not hesitate to tell
me that he loved me, even though | am
sure he does not.
The laughter had died out of the girl 5
eyes, and it was with something of a pain
ed expression that she regarded Hal.
He did not notice this, however; he only
heard her words, and he rose suddenly by
her side-his six feet of strong, young
humanity towering above her.
Eyes, he cried, wrathfully, land you
would rather marry man who says he
loves you, when you know he is no more
capable of that feeling than this stone
| (tlinging it far out to sea- than to marry
me, when you know without my saying it
that worship the ground you walk on!'
Hal, don't gush'
THAT is the way with yop girls, he
went on, his anger rising and his face
growing white, ''you will marry for
money every time, though what you want
of more | can't well see. Cousin Dorothy,
L wish you joy in your choice Of that old
monkey"
Dorothy stood up and confronted him.
Her wrath had risen, TOO, during the last
tlrado, but her voice was even and cool.
The huge mastiff, who had come down to
search for his little mistress, looked re-
bellious also, as he stood by her side and
gaZed from one to the other of the angry
pair.
Henry, fail to see what reason or what
right you have to speak so disrespectfully
to me. Since longer discussion cannot
fail to be painful to US both | will bid you
good afternoon. Come, Max" and the
little red figure turned and walked proudly
away over the rocks.
Hal gazel after her and his senses sud
denly returned.
dorothy, come back"
His voice made no more impression than
the roaring sea.
Dorothy, dear Dorothy, stop!'
She did not answer. She was far out
upon the seaweed covered rocks with Max
by her side.
"She is going straight for that danger
Gus, slippery place that she knows hate, "
he muttered and started 10 follow her;
then he paused abruptly, anger again COM
ing to the surface. '!Sne has Max; she
doesn't need me-"
He turned upon his heel and walked
swiftly toward The house, few rods dis
taut. He went directly u pstairs to his own
little den and shut the door with bang;
then he threw himself down in his favorite
chair to think
This act was performed for about two
hours to the accom- paniment of many
cigarettes. With the 18Th one the last
remnant of Halls anger burned away; he
arose and yawned, and emerged from
the blue smoke ''sadder and wiser
man.
He would go down and see if Dorothy
had returned, but he would be very digni
fed and non-committal until he was sure
that she had repented.
He descended the stairs leisurely, whist
ling an air from Fra Diavolo' with mar
vellous skill, for he thought he described a
IoI l.
tered indifferently along, then came to a
sudden stop.
1t was his mother She heard him COM
ing and waited for him
''Where is Dorothy?"
ago-with Max" he finished, seeing the
reproach upon his mothers face.
MAX has been here more than
an hour, but | can't find Dorothy any
where. There is a shower coming up. go
at once"
Hal had vaultered the veranda railing,
and minus hat and umbrella, rushed for
the rocks. Already loud rumblings of
thunder were heard, and big drops of rain
came faster and faster.
''Dorothyn' he called, as he ran along,
"Dorothy!'
No answer, save the rush of waves and
the roar of thunder.
Thoroughly alarmed, Hal sped over the
rocks, calling frantically from time to
time; but no answering voice greeted his
ears.
Madly he ran on, shouting until he was
hOarse.
At last he stopped to take breath.
He had reached the spot toward which
Dorothy had started when she left him a
few hours ago.
Suddenly Hal saw something which sent
all the blood from his heart. He leaned
against the rock to steady himself, as a
deathly faintness came over him.
There, half hidden by the seaweed, lay
Dorothys little white sailor hat. Two
hours ago the outgoing tide had been
crashing and breaking at the foot of that
very rock.
No wonder that Halls strength forsook
him. No wonder that sea and sky and
rocks became a confused blur.
She must have made misstep, and
Hal couldn't finish He sat down and COW
cred his face with his hands.
Presently the cooling rain upon his head
aroused him.
He looked at his watch. He had gone
from the house just 20 minutes
He reached out and reverently took up
the little hat; then he rose, and like one
bereft of his senses, he paced the desolate
rocks, back and forth-back and forth.
At last he turned his face toward home.
Slowly though he walked, it seemed to him
that he reached the house in one brief
second.
He saw his mother upon the north We
rarda.
He assembled the steps and went around