Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-01
HIS
Friends Sister.

Roy Dunbar stood upon the velvet
hearth rug before the flower filled
Crate, an open letter in his hand, upon
his face look of perplexity, not I'M
mingled with annoyance.
What is it, ROy" she asked gently.
~ know when you look like that that
something annoys and troubles you.
What is it, son?'
Enough Mother, | don't believe
that | am lacking in courtesy or the
requirements of a gentleman, but it is
a little annoying to have al unknown
female thrown upon your protection IN
this way. Listen, please. This letter
is from my friend Bonner, of New
berg:
Il" My Dear Boy-Tm in a quandary
and come to you to help me out. The
case, in brief, is this: My sister, Miss
Marguerite Bonner is DESTROYS of at
tending the great worlds fair. My
business is at present so pressing that
it is quite impossible for me to accom-
pany her.
f" Once arrived in Chicago she will
be met by friends-relatiyes who are
anxiously awaiting her arrival.
= Now, as | happen to know that
you are intending to start for Chicago
next Tuesday, L ask of you, as
special favor, to look after my sister
to her journeys end. If you consent
to be thus burdcncd drop me line and
Marguerite will be on the train as
it passes your town, where you can
join her.
= 'Obligc me-that's n dear fellow;
for once forget that you are a confirm
ed and crusty old bachelor. Yours rs
ever,
Frank
ut is awfully provoking" he eX-
claimed, land the lady 4 stranger to
me too. Frank Bonner ought not to"
Roy, | am ashamed of you"
The days went by with remarkable
celebrity and the day appointed for the
trip to Chicago came at last. Roy
Dunbar boarded the train when it
paused for the usual intinitesimal time
at his own station. He entered a
drawing room car and had not moved
six PAGES down the aisle when a voice
calling his name made him halt in sur
prise. A lady!
why. Mr. Dunbar extended a
gloved hand, chow glad I am to meet
You. | knew you the moment l saw
you. The journey is so long and tire
some I shall be delighted with your
company, 1 am sure. Have you for
gotten meY' for his eyes wore a be
wiIdered look, which he could not al
together suppress on short notice. Il
am Miss BonnerA Miss Marguerite
Bonner"
Miss Marguerite Bonner? His
charge-the young lady confided to
his care by a loving brother He felt
as though someone had suddenly
drenched him with a shower bath.
A woman of some fifty-eight or
sixty years, if she was a day, and
looking every hour of her age, not
withStanding the thick coating of
pearl powder which accumulated rather
than concealed in a network of wrinll-
les which overspread her thin face
and the little daubs of too percepible
rouge upon either side.
And withal she was so exceedingly
girlish and sprightly that she attracted
the attention OF the observer at once
to the fact that she was one of the
old maids of whom one reads occa-
Sionally.
Roy felt an uneasy sensation over,
take MIN; but there was no help for
It. The lady doubtless expected him
what could he do but succumb? So
he accepted a seat near her and essay
ed a conversation; but Roy Dunbar
scarcely knew on what subject he was
Conversing.
All the time he was watching Claver-
ing-Guy Clavering-the handsome
young lawyer, universally liked and a
prime favorite among the ladies wher-
ever he went
Clavering had evidently found an
acquaintance and one worth finding,
too, if looks are anything by which
to judge.
For he was seated beside a dainty
little lady with a pale sweet face
and great brown eyes, which held a
timid expression, and a mass of bronze
brown hair worn in coil at the back
of the head and falling in wavy bangs
upon a snowy brow.
She looked as fair and modest as q
violet and she seemed very much In
terested in something that Clavering
was saying.
Dunbar bit his lips in vexation. HI
fell out of conceit with himself-witl
the whole world Why must he b'
fated to a long visit with the spinstel
by his side, with her girlish affectatiOI
her dress far too youthful for he
years, and that endless flow Of small
very small talk?
The trip was only ten hours in dura
ton The train steamed on and at hi
side the lady's tongue ratified on ant
on, like the traditional brook ''for
ever
'I suppose you are wondering, MI