Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-26
HARDY'S RESOLUTION.
By Ripley Dunday Saunders.

| When pretty Tennessee Atwood
came riding ilIto the barbecue grounds
starred forehead, her father at her
side, on his tough old bay, it was the
most natural thing in the world for
Hardy Williams to spring forward
and stand holding his sun-browned
hands out to her. He had been wait
ing for over an hour just for this; to
see her ride in, to help her dismount,
to be the first to welcome her to the
days festivities.
She's comm, Hardy" one of the
group of men lettering with him under
the trees had laughed. "Thar's Ten
neSsee Atwood, shores yer born.
Hold yourself tight, now, Hardy.
Don't lose yer grip after waitin' this
long!'
And the stalwart young raftsman
had smiled az the friendly banter. Civ
ing his broad-brimmed soft hat a
slight toss back from his face, and
then stepped out from the group with
out a moments hesitation. He was
not afraid. He was willing all the
world should know that he loved Ten
nessee Atwood.
There was good excuse for his
loving her, because she was far and
away the beauty of the L'Anguille
bottoms. The SwampS seemed to be
fair poisoning place for her; they
seemed to spare her from the poison
of that breath which made other
women thin and yellow; they left her
hazel eyes bright and clear, her smile
full of the radiance of health. AS she
rode into view this morning, Tennes-
see Atwood was picture to gladden.
the eyes Of all men, and her beauty
filed Hardy Williams heart with d
love and pride warming every throb of
the blood in his big young frame.
He was not bad mate for her, this
raftsman lover, in his holiday attire.
His six feet of muscular humanity
looked we'll in it's dark wooden shirt, a
broad white handkerchief knotted
about his throat and falling over his
shoulders, his trousers thrust into the
tops of his boots, his wide eathern belt
emphasizing the slender waist and
narrow TANKS of the backwoods
athlete. Under the gray brim of his
hat his blue eyes flashed out fear
IIessIy, his beardless face was clear-cut
and firm.
"Mornin' Miss Tenny,'' his deep
bass voice rolled out it's glad greeting.
You're lookin' fresh an pretty enough
to eat, l do declare! Can't l help you
I'Hght?".
Tennessee Atwood's face turned rosy
red as the manly tones Of her sweet
heart fell ON her ears. The next mo-
ment a curious cloud swept across it,
and she turned a doubtful, questioning
look to her father. The grim old
father nodded a surly assent, but his
gray eyes were unfriendly enough as
they met Hardy Williams.
This, however, the girl did not seem
to heed. She threw her bridle-rein
down on the little mares proud neck,
held out her hands to Hardy Williams,
sprang from the saddle and just for an
instant was almost in his arms as he
caught and steadied her. Then she
stood firmly on the grass, blushing and
palpitating, looking with happy glance
into Hardy Williams proud face.
"Ain't it lovely day for the barbe-
cue?" she asked, her fingers smooth
ing out her riding skirt, her eyes and
lips smiling at him. Couldn't have
been nicer if we'd had it NADER
uor5v IVi1io ,,,c stood
head, his hand resting lightly on the
bride.
"'Tis a beautiful day, Miss Tenny,"
he responded. "An' 1 reckon you're
ready for all the dancin' likely to be
goin' round, amt you?"
Indeed l ami laughed the girl
and Hardy Williams bent down toward
her, prepared to at once make his tltIe
clear to all the coti1lions and fuckers
she might be willing to give him. But
old Squire Atwood had swung himself
from his saddle by this time, and he
came to the girls side strangely dark
and threatening.
You go along now, Tenny," he said.
Find Miss Ramsey an fix. yourself
for the day. I'll look you up as soon a $
I've put the horses away"
Then he turned to Hardy Williams.
You come along with me, Hardy"
he continued. 1--WE got something l
might as we'll tell you now as any
other time. Come along with me
while | tend the horses"
There was a menace OF some sort in
the words. Hardy Williams, sur
prised, glanced from Atwood to Tenny.
Her face had suddenly lost its rich
color. Her eyes, meeting his, had a
shamed look in them, shame that
seemed to mingle with entreaty.
THAT means, Hardy" he spoke
CURLY, that 'cordin' to your own be-
lief, Tenny's in love with your
I'D bet my life on it, said Hardy
Williams.
The confident acknowledgment
came so suddenly that little pause
followed, a pause Of swelling indiS-
nation on the old farmers part. Then
Hardy Williams spoke again.
certainly, Squire Atwood the
young raftsman replied, fronting the
father. Anything you might have TO
say to me nights well be said right
away. But 1 can't think what it is"
When the two men had reached the
-