Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-31

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| hand, Since my engagement | have
| been enabled to see Mr.. Grange with
other eyes; do not say they are
truer ones, but at all events he stands
before me in the clear light of reason.
and not in fancy's rosy rays. Now,
| young ladies. aside from this one fault.
| you will all agree that he is a model
man. That he is bright and talented
| his numerous cases testify How a
man so constant to his profession can
| be so inconstant in his love affairs is
the mystery. Perhaps, with Ferdinand.
| he never found so full soul but some
| defect in her did quarrel with the
noblest grace she owned
when he congratulated me upon
my engagement" said Miss Lynn, "he
! told me confidentially the quality he
most admired in woman was modestv.
1 am sorry to say, he added, that the
| girl of to-day IS too easily Won and re-
| pels lover by her eagerness to allure
| him"
There was a storm of indignation st
this.
"What is a girl to do when a man all
but proposesF' cried bright Miss Sal
ter. "Frown him down."
Or run away?" suggested Miss
SODIUM.
perhaps she should draw herself to
her full height and give him glance
of supreme scorn," added Miss Kit
fridge. But to return to business.
My purpose in calling you here is to
declare plot to compel this creature
wrapped up in self to provide pin
money for some pinin@ woman. His
duty seems very clear to me. He has
been playing with our hearts, so he
can find no fault if we play or gamble
or cast lots for his. He is a man
whose like. take him all in all, we do
not often see, SO we will take it for
granted that the girl whom destiny
through these balls selects will accept
her faith with becoming resignation.
There are twelve white marbles and
one black one; you are each to take
ball as you walk by this bowl. Miss
Dayo, dear, why are you shrinking
back?"
Il suppose" with a smile, "that /
need not be greatly disturbed; the
best-laid plans of mice and men gang
aft agley.' But truly, Miss Kittridge,
[ am sorry, for I fear you viii find me
of little help. | do not like to ask him
to call, even. He always seems so
busy"
Miss Kittridge kissed her.
"What have you drawn, little grip"
The black ball"
Bravo! Then all is as it should be,
and you need do no violence to your
instincts. Act out nature-don't in
vite him to your home. And do you,"
turning to the rest, "overwhelm him
with your admiring attention. The
pleasure you will have in comparing
notes. No, it does not seem quite
correct; but everything is fair in love
and war. and this matter partakes of
the nature of both Can you all meet
me here at the same hour in two
weeks? Remember, girls, your part,
and YOU, Miss Dayo, be your dear, shy
self Goodbye goodbye! Remem-
ber in two weeks!"
There, didn't I tell YOU so? Every
one Of yo1, kitten-like, has fallen on
your feet. Aren't you ashamed of
yOurselves-not a heart bowed down
by sorrow? You have not met your
loves Waterloo yet. | have regrets
from the Misses SODIUM, Fair and
Lynn. Shall we have the reports of
the other members of this philan-
thr0pic society? Miss Cube, will you
kindly begin?"
There was smile in Miss Cubes
grey eyes as she commenced.
Il thought it best to let no grass
grow under my feet, so my sister and
| set out next morning for the Office of
Mr.. Grange. l told him that Irene
and | had been long in doubt as to
which he was most deeply attached to;
all in a moment he might call in the
afternoon and mention his preference.
He looked from one to the other of us
with such an expression! AS we
reached the door Irene turned and
said, with languishing air: You
will come, won't you, dear?' And,
would you believe it, girls, he didn't.
The extra steps he has taken to dodge
rs will make him the champion pedes-
trian of the state"
There was a chorus of laughter.
MAY | speak next?" asked Miss
Estrange. Il wish to get it off my
mind. [ happened to meet him on the
street one day. had been walking
up and down before his aunt's door for
half an hour. He had scarcely said
Good afternoon, Miss Estrange,' be-
fore [ broke out with Dear Mr..
Grange, Mr.. Ranny wants my answer
tonight, but l thought you might
you might And such sidelong
look as | gave him! He hesitated a
moment-yOu know at the first shock
the loss of even a trivial thing seems
wished. He said he hoped we would
always be friends, and that Mr.. Ranny
was lucky fellow"
Then Miss Griggs commended: my
report is short, though it took me
hours to compose it. l met the enemy
with my ayowal of love, and he is not
mine. My grief is too deep for sears.
Yes. Miss Stadt, you may go on"
well, you know, my home is on the
street leading to Mr.. Oranges office.
One evening [ waylaid him and begged
him to come in. As he sat down I
told him how nice it was to see him
back in that chair; that if he would
| drop in for an hour or so every even
ing | would overlook his long GOODNESS.
I was sure he had not forgotten his
first affection for me, and that | had
long felt he was only wanting an.
But he let me 90 no further. He said
he had forgotten in his pleasure at see
ing me that he had left client, and
he has not gone by TIE mouse since"
Come, Miss Stone" and the smiling
brown eyes turned to that fair but