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

parents in this way? What right have
you got to say anything after 1 tell
you that Tenny is agoin' to marry
Jeff Prewitt?"
I've got the right o bein' her sweet
heart" said Hardy Williams. The
right o bein' her sweetheart be-
knownst to you an Miss Tenny's
mother all the time. You're athrowin'
me to one side like l was a yeller dog,
squire, an faint fair
I'll be just damned" calculated
Tennessee Atwood's father, IF 1 stand
this foolishness a minnit longer.'
Hardy Williams blue eyes were still
flashing with the hurt indignation of
his last speech.
"Once for ALL said Squire Atwood,
AN l want nothin' more said a1Jer |
have spoke-I tell you nov. Hardy
Williams, that my daughte, Tenny is
through with you. After today 1 want
you TO have nothin' whatever to say to
her. After today she shall have
nothin' to say to you. Don't you ever
come to my house again, Hardy Will
y
after today, squire repeated
Hardy Williams sadly.
"After today" cried the old man.
you've ragged about her bein in
love With you, an you've insulted me,
an l Oughter knocked you down for
lit. But l say my say instead, an
Hardy Williams, it won't be good for
you to trouble me or .Tenny or her
mother after today"
The irate old squire finished his
hitching of the two horses with
vicious farewell knot, and turned
away without another word. He left
Hardy Williams standing discOnsolate
his head bent down, his right hand
| resting against the dog wood tree.
But five minutes afterward, when
Hardy Williams himself turned and
left the little glade, a gallant smile
was on his face, strange to say. His
tall figure was proudly erect, his
sinewy hands rested on the broad
belt spanning his waist, the quick
swing of his stride was like anything
but like the walk of a heart broken
and hopeless lover. And from his mo-
mentous interview with Tennessee At
woods father he went bravely into
the very center of the gayest group of
barbecue visitors, the group contain
ing all the next prettiest girls of the
iL'Anguille settlement. He laughed as
he DOTTED his gray hat and bent
down by the side Of Mollie Hamilton.
the biggest romp and coquette of the
party.
"Howdy, Miss Mollie," he said, his
voice ringing cheerfully. Lets take a
walk, Miss Mollie, while they're gettin'
the ring ready for dancin' You amt
engaged for the first cOtilliOn. are
you?"
The quick-witted country girl looked
UP at the handsome young raftsman
in surprise. That very moment she
saw the almost desperate earnestness
which lay behind his laughing words.
She rose and shook out her gala skirts
like a ship spreading sail for action.
mo, amt engaged" she answered.
can I'm tired sittin' down, too. Let's
go down the river bank"
The instant they had gotten out of
hearing Of any of the groups along
the way, the girl turned her frank
face full on the face of her tall escort.
what is it Hardy?" she asked mean
ingly.
Its this, Miss Mollie," replied
Hardy Williams, esquire Atwood has
just taken me to one side an told me
to let Miss TeEly alone. She's going to
marry Jeff
us she?' inquired Mollie Hamilton,
gravely.
Something in the girls tone caused
Hardy Williams to laugh outright,
ringing, manly, defiant laugh.
We'll they think she u.s." he re-
sponded. But Miss Mollie, she amt
a-goin' to if she's the girl 1 take her
for. If old Squire Atwood amt got
all his wits about him every minute O.
this day, Tenny Atwood'n be my wife
before shutdown, or my name amt
Hardy Marion Williams"
Good for your said the listening
girl. you mean you're goin' to run
away with her?'
eff she's willin'." answered Hardy
Williams. They've forced it on me,
Miss Mollie. They've thrown me to one
side like an old shoe, an if l amt
mistaken they've led Miss Tenny-God
bless herewith mighty cruel rope.
There amt nothin else for us to do
but to run away, as 1 see it,"
Can 1 help you, Hardy?" asked
Mollie Hamilton, quietly.
''That you can, Miss Mollie, an I'll
never forget it as long as 1 live. If
you'll only manage to get Miss Tenny
out here somewhere, where I can talk
to her little while. Do you think
you could?"
"YOu take me back said Miss Ham
iltOn. Take me back and dance that
first cotilliOn with me. Get in the
same set where Tenny is and give her
a sort of an idea that something's up.
Hang around a little longer after that,
and then come right out here and if l
don't bring her to you before the suns
an hour higher, it'll be the worst mis-
take l ever made, and I amt made
many
Hardy Williams laughed at the res
olute little speaker. I knew you'd
stand by u.s. he said gratefully. IF
l can just have a half hours talk with