Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-12

recOllect Bob Jones, the sturdy fell DIV
who saved me from drowning two
years ago?''
"Oh, yes, l am sure shall never for
get that"
well, little Jennie is his daughter
An orphan now, for poor Bob fell
through an excavation yesterday while
he was trying to arrange some ma
chinery and was taken up horribly
mangled! l CHANGED TO be passing ut
the time and Joined the group that had
dead, but he summoned strength to
implore me to protect his daughter"
And you promised you would?''
Yes"
''And what are you going to dc with
her-you, a young student, yet to
spend years at Yale:"
Il am going to leave her in mothers
care"
And she, l suppose, viii bring her
up for a model housekeeper or a lady's
maid:"
NO, not exactly. She will first have
a good education at the best school in
this state
Annabel laughed scornfuIIy, as she
replied:
can earth worm can not shine very
we'll or very bright"
But a star does" he answered
quickly. And l am resolved that lit
tie Jennie shall be a star Of the first
magnitude. She has rare beauty in
the rough. She has grace, too, and a
refinement Of manner that would
astonish you
''Probably she is a princess in dis
guise.''
Maybe she is. Who knows? l
wouldn't be astonished if she was
well, let's change the subject. We
shall quarrel if we don't"
Five years later William Morris rode
one evening up to his home, from
which he had long been absent. His
fine figure was wrapped in a loose
cloak and a broad-brimmed soft hat
the few persons whom he passed
failed to recognize him.
|. 1t was twilight VIXEN he dismounted,
and, ascending the steps, took his way
through the well-rememberd apart
ments. He did not pause until he
reached his mothers room, and then
+ he tapped SO gently that he did not
rouse the dreamy girl who was its
only occupant. The next moment he
entered with a noiseleSS step. There
sat a young woman with the glow Of
the wax candles shining full upon her.
How beautiful she was! What bloom
flushed her cheek! What light
cleaned from her large, soft, hazel
eyes. What wealth Of bright hopes
rippled about her face and neck. Who
could she be?
Il beg pardon for my intrusion,' -
said Morris, with a courtly bow, but
l thought l should find my mother
here"
That voice-how it thrilled the
young girl before him! Still she did
not fly to meet him with that girlish
abandon with which she had met him
on his two previous visits home. She
crushed down the joyous words
clamOring tor utterance, and replied:
"She has gone on some errand of
mercy, sir. Had she expected you, Mr.
Morris, she would have been at home
to welcome YOU
"Wen,' said Morris. You have the
advantage of me- I cannot guess
what young beauty my mother has
lured hither."
lis it possible" she answered
blushing, that you have forgotten
Jennie Jones?"
''Jennie-little Jennie, the miners
daughter. No, indeed, | have not for
fotten her. But l was not prepared
to see ner transformed into a tall and
beautiful creature, like this" W'he1
he clasped her hand and gazed admir-
ingIy at her as he said: And l shall
claim the kiss as in other days"
He drew her towards him and their
lips met. The next instant Annabel
appeared and a jealous pang shot
through her heart.
Weeks passed on golden wings to
the young and rich William Morris, for
he was at last dreaming loves young
j dream.
In the midst Of his happiness he was
summoned to Boston by the death Of
a relative. On returning he struck
! into the path where she loved to walk,
thinking that he might meet her.
There she was, sure enough. His
heart leaped as he caught sight of her
through the trees, but it fell the next
moment, for he saw that she was not
alone. A young and handsome man
was at her side, and at that particu-
lar moment they seemed quite alb
sorbed in each other. The man was
helping her across the little crystal
stream, holding one of her small white
hands in his while she stepped daint-
lily from one stone to another, and her
face was uplifted to meet his eager
glance.
Piqued and disappointed he rushed
from the spot. The first person be