Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-11

II have sent for YOU" said the law.
yer, ''in the interests of the young lady
to whom you were engaged to be
married, and who now brings suit
against you for breach of promise"
Edward Dudley was almost over.
come with admiration at the clever
scheme, in which he recognized the
hand OF his shrewd nephew. He was
also grateful at his evident escape.
Il am entirely to blame in this mat
ter" he said. ''ani am willing and
anxious to make any reparation in my
power, and | wish the young lady a
much better husband than l could have
made her. l am prepared to pay a
just amount to settle the case outside
of the courts
. $50 I understand said the lawy er.
Il fnd my client willing to release
you from all future obligation for the
sum Of $4,000"
DRAW up the papers. l will give you
my personal check for the amount, aud
I hope the young lady will be slightly
compensated for the modification |
have brought upon her. She has acted
with practical sense. Good morning,
sir
If Edward Dudley's hand trembled
when he wrote out the check that was
the death warrant Of his hopes. it did
not make his signature yalueless, nor
did he lose his appetite, as he proved
by eating heartily when he dined
with his nephew later in the day and
told him that he had settled with the
lawyer of his late sweetheart.
'You have done WELL" said the young
man approvingly, land the money will
not go out of the family, if that will be
any comfort to you"
Gerald! What do you mean!"
THAT l intend to make the pretty
Rose Mrs. Gerald Dudley"
But you have met her only once?"
THAT was enough. l dislike to re-
mind you, sir, that 7 am more suit
able partner for the young lady in
point of age than yourself, and that
your generosity to her will enable us
to marry at once. 1t may be a diplo-
matte view to take, but all measures
are fair i'll love and war"
Edward Dudley groaned in bitterness
of spirit and soon left his unwelcome
guest to his own pleasant reflections,
Fred Hilton, bookkeeper, was perched
on a high stool in the office of che
shipping firm that employed him, try
;,,r 70 Of
He was a young fellow Of rather in
teresting appearance. but he looked
tired, and at last he dropped his ledger
and, being alone for a moment. took
out worn letter from his pocket and
read it for the one hundredth time It
ran:
Dearest Fred-It is all over. | have
accepted Mr.. Dudley, and can never see
you again. We were both too Door to
marry, Fred, and l made up my mind
| would not be drag on you all my
life. Marry some rich girl and forget
"ROSE."
That had ended his love affair." He
and Rose had been lovers from child
hood but it was just as that practical
young lady said, they were both poor,
and she did not want to be a drag on
the man she loved.
Fred Hilton gave her credit for being
an angel to sacrifice herself in that
heroic way, but that didn't do him any
good when she was going to marry an
other man. He was still reading that
old letter and neglecting his work
when a messenger came bringing him
another letter, the handwriting of
which brought on a heart attack. He
tore it open and read:
Dear Fred-Come up this evening at
seven o'clock-don't fail. I must see
you. ROSE"
Phew, He gave the boy all the loose
change he had, and read the letter over
until his employer came in. Then he
went on with the books, and it took an
expert to straighten them after him.
y
Gerald Dudley waited until the Sec
ond evening following the settlement
of his uncle's case before he presented
lIluSCiI dI IuC "a ItoSS IAiIy hS'
The little housemaid, with the express
sion of a plastic image on her dough
like face, opened the door.
''Is Miss Allyne in?" asked Gerald
preparing to enter.
'There amt no such person lives
here" answered the girl, posing arms
a-kimbo.
'What. l mean Miss Rose Allyne-
! the young lady who
''Ain't any Miss Rose no more. Hel
was married this 'nornin' to Mr.. Fred
Hilton, what she was allus in love
with, and she's off on her bridal tour
this very minute
He stared at her, unable to compre
bend her meaning, and then insisted OIL
seeing Mrs. Allyne, who had beer
coached by her smart daughter, an6
merely confirmed the fact of the mar
riage, without giving any particulars
When Gerald left her presence it was
to shake the dust of American soil of
his feet forever.
And the drop of honey in Edward
Dudley's cup of bitterness was the
knowledge of his clever nephew's dis
comfiture.-DetroitF Free Press.
DANGER FROM LIGHTNING.