Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-14

eyes were lowered St1li,
But paleness had succeeded flush on
his listeners aVerted face, and she sat in
utter silence.
There was no reconciliation. for Meth
er would take the first step. | know what
heart burnings there were. what real
lone oneness ard misery. But that was
all. After the first sharp words they did
not even see each other. He went south
and west-went abroad-came back ard
visited Canada. He said he mad always
meant to travel extensively, and that he
would go into business when he had seen
something and get rich. And all this
he did. Briefly, he did it. He gained
experience and worldly air, and he made
a success Of his business undertaking. He
was popular among men, being naturally
gerial and always open handed enough.
And he remained bachelor--a shooting,
Yachting, fishing, horse riding bachelor
with finally some wrinkles and gray hair,
an unreasonable exactness about his din
ner. and moi many female acqu aintau-
IeS.
He was looking at her now; but Ida 5
head, in its little silk hat, was still turn
ed away.
'And-she-" she faltered
''Oh, she married." said Mr.. Cranky,
briskly. Married. of course, being a
nice looking girl, with fortune. Mar
ried her fathers junior partner-a man
| some years her senior, we'll appearing,
we'll behaved, and eminently res pectabie
and eligib!e-if not especially bill
liant,
He coughed dryly.
Then thtre was silence.
He had finished?
Ida was looking toward him, with her
sweet and expressive eyes filled with some
thing indef able-with a sort Of tremu-
GUS fear.
"Were they-do you think they were
happy?' she whispered family.
Think! | will tell you what know,
sad Mr.. CRANKY; and again you nay
judge for yourself | know he bore, at
Ter his irst sharp pam, many and many
an hour Of deep depresslon-of learling
for something he had not. l know h.
suffered keenly when the news OF her
marriage reached him. know she m }r
ried man highly uncongenial to her in
many ways man whose natural cold
ness chilled her warmth. whose rather
narrow nature clashed with hers a hun
bred times day. | know he-the hero
of my sory-led what people called a
j oily life, and was successful; and know
that she Was well treated and provided
ter. and found much comfort, after her
husbands death in her little son. All
this. But know that one love-and ore
only-lived in their hearts ever, and that
for a months hasty foolishness 20 years
of their lives were to all intents vast
ed"
There was puIsing pause The girl s
hand trembled where it rested. he throat
ha1 the quivering which tells of tears
/ And when she spoke, it was with a half
sob.
Twenty years?' she echoed. "Then
something has happened at last! Then he
Yes, he has, my dear, said Mr. Gran
by gently.
"Thep you-oh, know it is your' she
cried tremulousy -'then you were Mrs.
Campbell's lover befo1e1 And what cruel
thing happened to you two2 And you
| have found her again? Oh, Mr.. Granny
how glad am? II
She was softly crying in her gauntleted
little hand
I've found her, - Mr.. CRANKY respond
ed, speaking in matte of fact tones, though
he brushed his eye hastily. AND all mr.
bachelor friends are laughing at me, and
won't let me If short Of $500 stag sup
per. But l-we-are happy ct last. And
this is something.
This is everything, the girl answered
almost inaudibly-
She felt his searching eyes upon her
and embling little, looking down hot
ly flushed.
What was he going to say now Some,
thing. she was sure, size could not hear!
She felt nervous and fearful and wretched
enough now and another wrod would be
too much. She knew it and she wished
But the words Mr.. CRANKY uttered were
"By Georgei' in excited tones
''By Georget'' he repeated staring At
Ida and far back in the gloom and again
at the object which had called forth the
remark.
The object was a young man some dis
lance ahead in the bride path, On a slowly
walking horse-not al astonishing sight.
There was sort of a furry before Ida 8
| wondering eyes. MIR. CRANKY was gone
suddenly without a farewell.
Did he ehuekle as he touched his Crop
to his horse? She almost fancied it. And
| then
Harry" size cried and her voice sank
to tae merest whisper. '''HarrS!'
"Wei-lda!' the young man CT the
leisurely walking horse answered, his voice
no less sunken.
He was dark-eyea, broa1-shouIdered,
manly. and his eyes sought hers with an
earnest directaess, while he thrust back
his hat from full forehead.
HAIRY" she whispered-he had refined
close-''-I-ob, Harry, how wrong [
was! Can you ever forget 1t? Mr..
/ CRANKY has been taking and telling me,
and | see it so plainly. how foolish
was and how ernei' Say something,
Harry"
"Bush!' he said gently. His hand va.
| on her horses neck. Foolish and cruel !?
So was I. and consoundedIy obstinate be-
side! How dear of you to speak,
Ida! Suppose should have ridden by
like the pig headed rascal am. | don +
know what Mr.. CRANKY has to do with
it. Good for him, he'a engaged to Mrs
Campbell. or he'd get punched head
But you've made me happy, dear What
fools we were! It shall never happen
again, shall it2 Not if | know myself !!
Snail it?" he quiried tenderiy.
"Mereri" she answered, heg fair face
raised TO his In sweet soIemnity.
wv hat has CRANKY got to dc with it.
anyhow" he biurted forth with Linger
in 3 jealousy delicious to her.
Il Il tell you sometime. DEAR" she an
swered, softly. - ou-you havee't lost
the ring? | want it again.
I've kept it in my inside breast-poeket
every minute" be repiied, half laughing,
as his fine face SOfteaed