Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-11-03

! nduncneS, SaSplnS ana fOllHS us eyes.
She cast hurried glance at the gen
tleman reading the paper, and walked
into the room looking intently about
the floor.
What shall she say" thought Ber
tram, as she passed him il her search,
If l were to ask her what she was
looking for, calamity offer to help her
find it! But I'll spare her that
She was certainly hunting borough
ly. She moved several of the chairs,
drew up the lace curtains and looked
under them, peered into all the corners.
When she had search everywhere she
Strengthened herself with a sigh, with
one last reluctant look about the room,
and calling to her pug. Come along,
dearest, it isn't here departed.
Bertram laid down his paper and
looked after her. She appeared TO him
to have a singular amount of sang froid,
also very graceful back.
Il must give it to her this evening,
he thought. IN wrap it up in paper,
and tie one OF the ribbons around it
that are on that handkerchief case Mil
ly gave me. Then if she asks meas,
of course, she WiIl-what it is / say,
carelessly, Oh, nothing! Just a little
uitle | think belongs to you. Don't
hurry to open it. Have you noticed
what beautiful night it is?''
And SO I'll engage her in absorbing
conversation. But if the conversation
is not sufficiently absorbing, and she be
gins to open 1t. l must flee from the
| wrath to come. And when next l meet
her, dying to speak or even to bow to
her, there will be wall of ice raised
| between us. Such is the irony of fate"
| AT o'clock MI, Lamar came slowly
down the broad stairs, looking us hand
some as the young Dionysius in bis
dress suit, his shining shirt bosom.
and a white pink in his buttonhOle. The
hall was full of moving figures and Il
blaze of light and color.
Mr.. Lamar was too pertmbed TO
mingle with the gay, lOud-Yoiced laugh
ing crowd. He wished for solitude,
and directed his steps toward the little
| Wriing-room. He had not wrapped
the treasure i'll paper, nor, tied it with
a ribbon from his handkerchief case
He had not done anything with it. He
did not dare.
The sight of its owner might inspire
him to the desperate pitch OF boldly Of
feTlng 1t to her, or to suggest to him
some cunning way OF returning it with
out beuaying the identity OF the find
er. With these ideas III his mind he
carried it still in his pocket, III com-
pany with his keys.
The gas in the writing room was not
lit. Mr.. Lamar went to the open WIN
dow. just outside it, ON the balcony,
was the young lady who had worn the
yellow shoes. She was reading and
rocking her pug i'll her lap.
AS she read she absently pulled the
pug's ears, which lay with its eyes half
open and its head against her arm.
Il beg your pardon" said Lamar
suddenly, from the window.
The lady looked UP with raised eye
prOWs of polite inquiry.
Il have something Of yours" said the
young man, desperately, and in a low
tone.
Yes? What is it,"
II don't quite know Or rather
Well-But-Um 1 didn't like to leave
it at the office. l thought" He lean
ed out of the window with his closed
hand extended. Here it is"
She held out her hand and he dropped
it in. She looked and gave an eNclam;l-
ton of joy that caused the pug to jump
to the ground.
oh, how glad l m. Thanks 50
much thanks aWfuuy. l was afraid it
was lost, isn't that lucky!' and she
looked affectiOnately at the returned
treasure with her head on on side.
There was ighto enough to Sc her
face distinctly. She did not exhibit 4
sign of embarrassment, not the ghost Of
a blush. Lamar felt Il sudden cnlI Of
disappointment and disapprobatiOn.
You found it in there?" she said, III
dicating the Writing-room, and looking
at him with frank, candid eyes. Yes,
there's where it was lost"
II supposed So" said Lamar, with
Il wan smile
Il value this very MUCH" she went
on, turning it over in her hand,
Il should imagine So"
You see, there is only one like It.
There is not a single duplicate any
where
She looked smilinSly into his face.
Lamar stared at her in a stupetied
horror.
Only one-did you say?" he managed
to articulate in a faint voice.
There was moment of silence. La
mar made no comment, but continued
to stare yacantly at her.
when you have only one, and that
such a pet" she continued, not noticing
his silence, you like to lave every
thing as pretty as possible"
Yes, yes. OF course Of course,
calculated Lamar, laughing idiotically.
If you have only one L expect it must
be somewhat OF a treasure he thought.
Then he added boldly, but with the air
of cOnfding a piece Of news, Il have
two
"Two?" said the young lady with
yivacious interest. What kind"
The same as everybody eIse'S," he
answered, with some hauteur. Are
the people i'll this part country IN the
: habit of managing with one?'
, AS a rule they have only one; it's 50
: much less bother. Though, to be sure,
have a friend who has@et me see
yes, eleven"
: She must be a centipede," thought