Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-08-25
''Why Miss Hal Hartford. Of course. y

JOldS. IHeTe OF the same name. but
we calls the aunt Miss Hal and the
niece Miss Halcyon. My daughter
she's lady's maid there, and I'd orter
know if anyone does"
And which Of them is it that is going
to be married 'breathlessly inquired
Blossom.
''Why, the old one in course! Beg
pardonr' hurriedly added Jonas. IT
mean Miss Hal Polly she tells me that
Tiers twenty-four different gowns or
dered. let alore the jackets and par
soils and ten-buton kid gloves fit to
make your hair stand on end"
and Miss Halcyon, the young lady"
cried the colonel-''she is engaged too"
Not any one knows on. That's all,
colonel? Got your telescope bag?
Then we'd better be movin',''
Colonel Blossom pondered seiousl-
all the way up to Hartford Cedars.
oblivioJs of Jonas inceSsant stream Of
talk. Could it be possible? No that
was utterly nonsense! And yet
He strained his eyes as he approach
ed the house. Surely golden-haired
HalcyOn would be there smiling to
meet him.
But no, in her place stood a middle
aged charmer, rouged and powdered.
with hair cleaning meretriciously and
teeth just size too large for q thin
Tipped mouth.
In one hand she held his love breath
ing letter, in the other his photograph.
And during that second his heart sunk
like lead.
He did not know, ah, how much more
difficult would it have been to bear
had he knOwn-that Halcyon Hart
ford's eyes were surreptitiously watch
Dear Charles said the elderly dam,
sci, ''you are here at last
He set his teeth and drew one long
breath and allowed her to slip car
ressing hand through his arm and lead
into the house, muttering some hoarse
acknowledgement of her coquettish
smiles.
GIVE brought this upon myself" he
thought, "and [ must endure it. The
lady is not to blame-no, she is not to
blame"
''He is a hero" Halcyon thought
''he is a hero"
And then she burst into 4 passion
of tears and ran up stairs to her owu
room.
"But now I've got you fairly here
lisped Aunt Hal, more determinedly
youthful than ever, I'm really afraid,
dearest Charlie, that there's great dis
appointment in store for you
'Eh?"
The young man sat down in rather
a listleSs manner. Aunt Hal held on
to his hand, still all teeth and SMILES
"And [ may as well tell you at once"
said she that I am already engaged
to Judge Flostroy, of the Superior
court. Of course, had known of your
attachment in time, there's no saying
ooh, pray don't let me interfere with
any of the existing arrangements
Blossom jumping up eagerly. Perhaps
under the circumstances you will let
me have the photograph back"
Just then there came airing at the
door below as the maid announced:
Judge FlustrOy, Miss if you please
Below the slow and ponderous steps
of the approaching visitor could reach
the room, Aunt Hal had thrust the
photograph into Blossoms hand.
"A-hem-m-m!" sonoriolIsly coughed
the lunina1y of the superior court
Aunt Hal tripped smiling1y forward.
"Glad to see you, judge" she cooed.
''this is my old playmate, Col. Blossom
just arrived from India. I dare say
colonel you'll find HalcyOn somewhere
about the house"
disposed of in short ORDER" mutter-
ed Col Blossom. 'Great heavens. whar
have [ done to deserve such luck?'
Two hours afterward the young
lovers sat on the veranda watching the
evening star rise over the hills, while
the judges basso prCfundo voice still
rolled in the sitting room like distant
thunder. xfa
But wasn't it a narrow escape
gasped the young colonel, holding the
girls slim hands in his.
''Would you really have married her?
colonel" Halcyon asked
GAS a gentleman there was no escape
for me under the circumstances
''But would you really have married
her?"
Eyes, l would" with stern set teeth
and knitted broWs
''Then I'll mary you, Col. Blossom"
whispered Halcyon, because you are
a genuine hero, and because with an
arch glance, 81 really think you need
a wife to take charge of you
AFTER the episode Of today, " said
Col. Bleson, II really think I do"