Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-26


words 10 her that caused a beautiful
blush to redden her cheek and G proud
and confident glow to gladden. her
heart. And when the dance was ended
With Its last courteous figure of prom
enade all and seat your partners," the
girl saw her sweetheart bow NoIIia
Hamilton to her place and imme6i-
ately offer his arm to another without
the slightest unea siness.
The dance following was Tucker"
that quaint, old frolic of the back
woods, where one poor superfuous
ner after each successive rush OF the
men for partners, the signal for every
change being a clapping of the lead
er's hands. Hardy Williams and
Tenny We're both in this, and jeff Pre-
witt also, the latter, eager and conf
proprietary eyes on his promised
bride. The romp went on and with
the usual hilarity until all the dancers
were GREATNESS from its vigor. 1t
was then, as one especial signal for
change of partners sounded, tEat
Hardy Williams. his blue eyes fash
ing, saw himself close enough to Ten
nessee Atwood to carry out the plan
which had been in his mind through
out the entire dance. With the spring
of an acrobat he left his former part
ner's side, crossed the little space be-
tween them, and grasping Tennessee's
hand claimed her as his, just as JET
Prewitt also gained her side. The two
rivals stood glazing holly at each
other, and in the ensuing pause eve~y
girl in the set was claimed, leaving
Prewitt partn and a tucker"
A roar of honest laughter went up 1T
this and it seemed to anger Jeff Pro
witt beyond his power of self-control.
'Tenny," he said, still facing the
couple, now the center of a ring of
spectators, II claim you for this fig
urer'
Hardy had me first. Jeff" rep.;2l
the girl, her eyes laughing in spite OF
her.
Il don't care if he did," cried Prewitt
an2rily. Il want you to dance with
me, not with him, an your father does,
too"
"Her father amt in this set, jeff"
said Hardy Williams, his resolute
broWs Strengthening in a frown above
his blue eyes. AN if he was, l claim
Miss Tenny for my partner because 1
reached her first You warn't quick
enough, Jeff Prewitt, that's your
trOuble.'
A derisive little laugh ripped round
the circle.
Il don't want any words with you
Hardy Williams" came Jeff Prewitt's
swift retort. This is between Miss
TenDy Atwood an me- An once for
all Miss Tenny, | want you to dance
this figure with me, an not with him.
Do you hear"
Hardy Williams took Tennessee At
woods little hand and placed her be-
hind him with a deXterOus half-swing
eff you speak to her like that again,
Jeff PreWitt," he said 9TH whip you
within an inch of your life! Miss
Tenny amt your wife yet, and I'll
she is she has the right to dance with
whom she pleases."
a legitimate backwoods sequence de-
manded a blow at this juncture, an
attack begun by Jeff Prewitt. Moth
ing else was possible save a square
breakdown" The blow did not come.
Jeff Prewitt glared for an instant at
the six feet of defiant and expectant
hostility in his front. Then his glance
weakened. The breakdown" was ac-
complished
This time the low laugh that arose
from the circle Of waiting dancers
was ugly in it's meaning OF contempt.
"Jeff's a sure 'nough Tucker for this
fgger nowr' cried a voice somewhere
in the ring. The words seemed
spontaneous voicing Of public senti-
ment.
An if he don't look out" came an
other comment from one evidently
posted on the situation, he'll be d
worse Tucker'n he is now fore next
November"
This browning blow was too much
PreWitt burst out with an almost de-
spairing oath; gave one vindictive,
scowl at Hardy Williams
and Tennessee Atwood, now standing
side by side, and then broke from the
ring.
you'd better get to your pappy just
as quick as you can, Miss Tenny,"
whispered Hardy Williams, bending
down to his staunch little partner. "an'
smooth him down the best you know
how. 1t won't do for you an me to
be too hard headed right now; an
there may be trouble here for the next
half hour. But for Gods sake keep
your eyes on Miss MoIlie an do as
told you just now. I'm a-goin' to hang
aroun' for a little speck of time an
then l reckon I'll kinder drop out o.
sight. But Miss Mollie knows what to
do"
And Hardy Williams carried out his
program. The L'Anguille code Of honor
required that he should be in evidence
for a time after the women folk had
scurried from the scene of his late
quarrel with Jeff Prewitt This was
for the purpose of giving Prewit a fair
chance of renewing the difficulty it he
so wished. But after this formal and
pause, no Prewitt ap-
pearing, Hardy Williams Kept ON with
liS DrOgram and quietly disannaarnd |