Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-30

| Va, Gldn mind Inc distance at all
besides, | rather had to come, she re
piled. Il did wish to go with the young
ttolks, who are having picnic this morn
ing over on Laurel hill, but Uncle Jerry
was sick, and of course he couldn't cons
| for vou."
Then Mrs. Thurston and Miss Wayne
never drive, SO they made virtue OIL
necessity and sent the last resort of the
place, and she laughed merrily.
ut IS too bad my coming prevented
you joining the picnickers, be said, 81
| shall not be able to forgive myself.
that's nothing. | am enjoying myself
now tco well to think of Laurel Hill" she
returned brightly.
Thank you, and at the same time lei
me assure you that I, too, am eoj3yina
myself e4celIently WE'LL" and Hugh bowed
to the young girl, whose eyes dropped
beneath the warm light Of admiration in
MS blue eyes.
Il nope you will enjoy your visit, Mr.
! Colew0od, " she said. to change the sue.
l. ct. 81 know Mr.. Thurst ton and EtheI
Will do all thoy can to make your stay
pleasant"
Thank you; I've no doubt shall fud
it pleas mt, returned Hugh, you, too,
| are one OF Mrs. Thurston's summer house
hold, l supposed
Yes, with smile. You see I am a
distant relative to Mrs, Thurston; then
Miss Wayne is my cousin, and exercises 4
kind OF cousinly guardianship over me,
which 70 doubt is very necessary"
80 you ara Miss Wayne's cousin? |
do not remember hearing Mr. CraDston
mention you. did not expect to have
the pleasure of meeting any ladies but
Mrs Thurston and Miss Wayne -
How unkind in My. Cranston not to
prepare you for this me, ting" and there
was aroguiSh CLEAN IN her eyes which
Hugh did not see. 81 had up to date re-
garded Mr.. Cranston as one Of my best
friends, but TO Ignore so utterly, when he
knew [ would accompany Cousin Ethel
ere looks downright Intentional neg
lect. "
You have not given me the pleasure
of knowing your name, y said Hugh, both
amused and pleased at his pretty driver.
''Ol, I'm Wanp, toe" she answered
Iaughingly. E nel E5tella Wayne, var
lousiy nicknamed, as you will observe lat.
er on.
Two Ethel Waynes! Here was real
surprise for Colewood. Why had Grams
ton not mentioned that strange fact to
him.
It the E mel Wayne referreI to in the
will was OILY half as animated and gen
orally captivating as the one by his side
Hugh thought it might be easy matter af-
ter all to obey that condition which had
so Yex9d him.
Colewood received a cordial welcome at
M s. Thurston' pleasant home He found
M Iss Wayne 10 be tall, digrifed girl of
abouH twenty three, with coal black hair
and deep gray eyes. She was unlike her
little merry hearted COUSIN as it was poss-
ible to be.
YES, Hugh decided she was just such
woman as MS eccentric aunt would be lik-
ely to select as the wife of her heir.
La the weeks which followed Hugh's ar
rival be saw a great deal of Mss Wayne,
although much of her time was divided
between her ttste for literature and in re-
monstratlng against the innocent pranks
Of her cousin.
1t did not require a long time for the
young man to realize that he could never
love Miss Wayne as the man should love
the girl whom he intends to marry.
He made another important discovery
that his wife would be a failure without
the little cousin to furnish daily sunshine
and wifely cheer for his own home.
He resolved to let Miss Wayne have
one-half of her aunt's estate and the
orphan asylum the other He would marry
the girl of his own choice, provided he
could win her, and boldly fgGt his own
wav through life.
H wing so decided Hugh set out for
strJlI along the river, feeling more manly
for his resolve.
FL came suddenly upon little figure in
white, reading in a little nook by the
rivers side.
"W4it, Estelle," he called for she had
started to run away. ~ shall leave TO-
morrow, and | have something to say to
you which pou must hear
The tell ale 1usl which swept over face
and neck at his words might have given
some hint Of an easy surrender. However,
ia a moment she had regained that GUS
tOmary piquancy which had more than
once eXasperated Hugh.
cpd be sorry to have you leave Us with
any burden on your mind" she said pro-
vokingly.
"It is needless for me to tell you why it
was arranged for me to met Miss Wavne
here, y he sai0, unheedine her light words.
"You know, | suppose.
''Some slight idea, believe" she re-
turned, lingering her book.
''Well, may as we'll tell you that that
condition in my late aunt's will can never
be fulfilled"
"And why not?'
Because love another" he cried pas,
sionately. 80, Estelle! can you not see
how tenderly, how ardently | love you?
Without you shall make failure of life.
| W out you show mercy, Estelle?'
ooh, Hugh! would you marry a poor
girl when you have chance to win a
dignifed bride and retain those princely
estates?" she asked.
| Yes, darling. | prefer you with love
in cottage to the wealthiest woman with
all the estate In the worldr'
"R lsh statement, young man"
1T IS true. Do not torture me longer,
Estele. Can you not love me ittle?''
No"
Then you do not love me?"
I'm afraid do"
"DJ not mock me, E3tele"
81 am not mocklng you, Hugh" in a
ve'y sweet voice.
| Then you do love me iittle?''
| ''NJ. Lot little, but very much. -
He would have caught her to his breast,
but she eluded his arms, crying:
Goa, there's Uncle Cranston!' and she
rushed forward to greet the little lawyer,
who mad approached them unseen. .
1T is useless for me to ignore the fact, =
said Mr.. Cranstou pleasantly 81 did not
mean to overhear your conversation, but
arrived unexpectedly and thought I'd
hunt up my sprite here and surprise her.
| see you understand each other pretty
clearly"