Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-25
A STRANGE ROMANCE.

on the euro opposite the p0StOfflce
a stamp poised on her tongue, which
she was about to affix to the envelope
she held in her hand.
But, as she deliberately nipped it be
tween finger and thumb by one corner
at the same time tightly shutting bott
eyes (aS though such a performance il
some mysterious way facilitated the
operation). i lady came along &C
companied by a huge dog, which au
daciOuSly waved its thick bushy tai
right athwart the little maids face
causing her to jump backward into the
gutter with suppressed scream.
Her alarm was immediately in
! creased to terror at missing the stamp
which she next observed floating away
attached to the majestic caudal APP
pendage.
She feebly started in pursuit, but as
she nearcd the formidable animal the
| object of her quest became transferred
| to the ladyis jacket, and before she
could reach her side it had dropped on
the pavement, whence it was instantly
/ carried away on the sole of the boot OF
a paSser-by.
After a long, helpless stare the little
| one slowly turned round, nervously
fumbling the envelope and, retracine
her steps till she regained the corner
| of a side street, she sat down on q
| doorstep and INDUCED in a good cry.
Her wailings speedily attracted q
small group of people about her, tC
whom, after some persuasion, she
sobbed out her misfortune, which was
fatty discredited by the majority, and
those who apparently believed her only
manifested their sympathy in empty
words.
After some time, however, q
philanthropic old gentleman passed
who, on learning the source of the
child's grief, promptly bestowed q
couple of pennies upon her, with which
she flew to the postoffice, purchased
another stamp, and, keeping a sharp
lookout against the intrusion of any
more filibuStering tails, securely fixed
it ITO the envelope, which she carefully
dropped it into the box
1t was now safe and she visi1ly
frightened; alas! happily unconscious
that she had lost a post and thereby
become the involuntary agent of woe
and desolatiOn of two fond hearts.
'You are sure there is nothing for
me?' said young Cyril Stanley for the
third time, as with pale face and
agitated frame he breathlessly interro-
gated the rural letter carrier the next
morning.
quite certain, sir; you can look
them over If you like returned her
majesty's servant genially, extending
his bundle.
'fNo, thanks" he rejoined brusquely
and turning on his heel, with cIenched
hands and wild look in his eyes, he
started off at a fast pace through the
fields, crossing stiles, floundering into
bitches and stepping right through the
roaring waters of a shallow brook in
the most aimless and haphazard sort
of way.
''And this is my rewardr' he NUT
tered brokenly. ''She does not love
me after all. No; penniless sutton is
seldom acceptable-ha, ha!' and he
laughed bitterly, recklessly.
An hour later he sneaked through
the side door Of a stately mansion
standing in it's own grounds, and, after
changing his saturated boots and
muddy clothes, proceeded to the Ii.
bray to be in attendance on a red
faced, choleric-looking old gentleman
who was busily writing letters.
ooh, here you are at last scape,
grace" calculated the latter in a furi-
GUS tone as the young gentleman en-
tered. 'fWhere have you been? Al
ways away when / want you. Now,
then"
The young fellow meekly seated him,
self at the table without answering,
and Began writing from the others
dictation.
>''Have you made UP your mind p
fiercely interposed the old gentleman
in the midst of an important letter.
eyes, uncle
Late in the afternoon the family car
riage conveyed both gentlemen into
the town, where prodigiOus quantity
of luggage had preceded them.
Stopping in the main street, the elder
of the two alighted, and motioning his
compa anton to remain, darted up a mar
row court. He was not long away
and as he reseated himself he gruff1y
asked:
sDo you know what I've been do
| ing?"
NO" uncle" answered the young
man in a subdued tone.
Deposited my will with my solicitor
i have made you my heir. But if vol
had thwarted me and remained behind
I'd have cut you off without shilling
by - And he grew purple in thu
face from suppressed rage.
They soon reached the railway sta
! ton, where they took f1rst-class tickets
for London and left by the evening
express a few minutes later.
"Ah, dear fellow! to sacrifice 81
much for me-" murmured Miss Bircl
! the same evening, and she braided he
silky hair in front of the oval miro,
on her dressing table, her eyes rivetet
on an open letter lying before her, ant
her face flushed with emotion as sh'
read:
81 would then be virtually penniless
| and have to depend upon nv own eX