Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-05
Paid Back.

Su3h a pretty dress it was-all white
and gold with a curiously wrought
girdLe of gold with which the little
gilt shoes looked so well. Marjorie
De Land gave a few finishing touches
to the soft lace at her throat and stood
ready for her first ball. 1t was to be
such splendid one, too, she thought
eXutantly, and the first of a possible
series. The regiment was stationed in
Il little out-of-the-way place, to be
sure, and it was in the dead of winter
besides, but because it was winter with
the snow lying mountain high every
where and the regiment to be quar-
tered there indefinitely, Col De Land
had constructed a long, low bui3ding
for drill, whose best point was its hard
wood floor This hall had been decor
ated with much care tonight by the
wives and daughters of the regiment.
and besides their own presence twenty
from the fort, three miles away, were
| expected And beSides-and Marion
les eyes sOftened and frightened as
she thought of this, besides some one
else-Capt. Gerald Marvin would
| would be there providing the
roads from the fort were not i'm
passible; and they would not be unless
it was showing again. She stepped to
the window as she thought of this and
threw it open. No, it was not snow
ing. Two or three stars even were
visible and-She started and leaned fur
ther out of the window.
| 'Who are you?" she demanded
sharply.
A figure had shrulnk away from be-
fore the window and was barely dis
tinguishab-e by the pillar beyond
| ''Who are your she repeated, "and
what are you doing here?"
The figure moved forward reluctant
ly, within the stream of mellow light
from the room. It was a girl of some
eighteen years whose dark, struggling
locks surrounded face which was
beautiful in weird sort Of way and
I was lighted by a pair of wonderful
dark eyes.
! please" she said, timidly, 81 wasn't
dom no harm. L was only watchin'
you through the crack there. Oh,
ma'am you look like a angel!'
! Come in said, Marjorie, gently,
touched by her shrinking manner as
much as by her words II want to
talk with you" She opened the door
while she was speaking and in a mo-
ment the queer little figure, looking
strangely cut Of place in the simple
elegance of Marjories little room, was
sitting before the bright CRATE fire.
II am Milda," she said in answer to
NIaTjOries Question, 'Humilda by rights
but nobody calls me that. I'm just
Milda, sometimes even Mildly. I live
with my uncle in Neil,'' indicating with
her thumb the direction of the little
mining settlement. 'sHe amt good to
me an run away when I can. When
I go home now he'll be to bed so I
won't see him till tomorrow. Then
! he'll beat me for runnin away and
after supper I'll go again"
But why do you run away if he
beats you for it," cried Marjorie
aghast.
Zone at supper times better'n one
three times a day." said the girl, terse-
~. dII OllpIdIuIu u0
feeds an clothes me-"
Feeds and clothes your thought
Marjorie compassionately, as she
glanced at the pinched features and
the scanty dress and thin shawl.
Then an idea struck her suddenly.
There is a ball here, tonight, you
know" she began, rapidly, "wouldnr
you-wou-d you like to stay and see
it?'
''Oh, wouldn't I justr' The girls
eyes sparkled, then her face clouded.
| But I couldn't in these she added
with distasteful glance at her shabby
dress.
| But Miss De Land was equal to that.
She brought forth from the depths
Of the closet a dark red merino, which
she had worn sometimes in stormy
weather, and held it out to her.
Put this on" she said. sit will fit
water and towels. Then I will do your
hafr."
She closed the door laughingly On
the girls incoherent words Of thanks,
and went to her mothers room.
But, my dear" said that lady In a
Mortified tone. "You have left her alone
in your room! When you go back she
will be gone, depend upon it, and all
your trinkets, too"
''NO, she won't" laughed Marjorie.
'She wouldn't miss seeing the ball for
more trinkets than I have"
When Milda was all ready, and the
dark hair had been combed and cJ1rled