Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-18

saseaAe. - 1e11ssa1
heart and sailed away to sea again
j with the captain.
| This time the captains voyage was
) but a short one. He returned quite
. Unexpectedly one day with something
unpleasant evidently upon his mind.
! Perhaps" thought Lizzie, sit was
all about the enga cement. Tom was
such a favorite."
She was SO sure of this that she
felt nervous about mentioning the fact
that Melton Melton was anxious that
she should name the day" but she
did at last.
And, the young fellow" arriving al
most on the moment, the captain shook
hands with him warmly enough, and
they sat down together very amicably.
Had Miss Observation-Disclosures
tioned-ah-the object of-in fact, of
this call-ah"-
I've heard that you are anxious to
! be spliced as soon as possible, nv
lad" said the captain. land I've Just
told Lizzie that, as things stand today,
| don't care how soon the affair is
settled. I've got to leave home again,
and I'd rather leave her under some
ones care"
And the captain groaned.
"Ah, your health-ah, life is very
ah-uncertainr' said Melton Melton,
with thought of the reports of the
captains will at his heart.
My health is perfect" said the cap
tain, and your Jack is as safe at
sea as on land, for that matter But
you see, something has happened.
I've been a precious fool To tell
the truth, plain enough for a marine
to understand it, I've been specializing
/ without knowing what l was about,
and I've lost every penny l possessed.
I'm as poor today as Jobs turkey, and
naturally I'm glad to see Lizzie set
tied"
Here the captain arose.
Settle the day between you" he
said. I'll leave you together" And
he rushed out of the room.
Lizzie sunk upon a sofa and burst
into tears. Melton Melton, Esq, stood
near her, with a peculiar expression
upon his face.
ITS very distressing" he said. Pom
my word, l sympathize with you I
all couldn't trouble you to talk
about that little matter at so dis
tressing a moment | AMI believe
delicacy requires me to ah-depart.
Au revOirr
And Melton Melton, Esq, vanished.
In Il week the captain and his
daughter had gone back to the old
second floor in the riverward street,
and there, with the painted furniture,
the plaster parrots, the bunch of white
coral and other belongings which had
been the pride of the late Mrs. Hack
ett's heart began a new life.
And thither. despite Lizzie's hopes,
Melton Melton. Esq, did not come to
offer his fortune to the impoverished
heiresS.
But thither once again Tom Hada-
way came often.
And Lizzie. separated from the
throng whose glitter had blinded her,
saw Tom HadaWay's worth and at last
gave him her heart and hand, feeling
that all her adversities had been bless
ings in disguise, having brought her
to this happy end.
On the evening of the wedding the
captain proposed a walk and led them
to his handsome former dwelling
what does it mean?" cried Lizzie.
what can it mean?" cried Tom.
1T means that | haven't been ruined
that's all. said the captain. ''This is
my house and has never belonged tG
anyone else. And, what's more, Tom
Hadaway, and Betsy Hackett, belongs
to me still and there wasn't a word
of truth in what [ told you about be-
ing hired to navigate her out of COM
passion by the new owner.
Il reckon that landlubber had I'm
eye to LiZzie's fortune, and I've proved
it true. But [ gave the same sauce
to both ganders. and you, Tom Had
away, never guessed Lizzie was still
al heiress. If she isn't thankful to me
now, her eyes belle her."-Boston