Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-10

turned sweetly to Mr.. Marks and ex-
! planned to him how the pug's washing
had always been thrown in, and she
had no idea what she should do, but
she hoped she should live Through it.
1 said that l hoped so, too; and then
l left them, feeling that had done all
1 could, even for our L.
1t was with considerable surprise
that 1 found Mr.. Marks in the kitchen
that afternoon, when l came down
stairs after my daily nap.
He turned very red, but he managed
| to say, stammering a good deal, that
he hoped 1 would pardon him.
| I looked at him. 1 could not i'm
/ agine what he wanted there, but
said 1 would pardon him.
He grew more red and he STAN
mered worse than before, and said
again he really trusted 1 would over
look it in him. 1 assured him 1 would
overlook it. sat down. 1t would not
be time to begin to get supper for an
| hour yet.
Mr.. Marks now informed that was
very good. | did no deny this asser-
! ton. He appeared to struggle with
| himself for moment and then he
remarked that he thought he had seen
me wearing a large apron that must
be a great protection to my gown. 1
| began to be somewhat alarmed at this,
for it seemed to hint at incipient mad
ness. But 1 told him pleasantly that
[ had such an apron and that it was
a great protection. I thought of add
| ing that hunting boots, worn in the
front entry, were also very useful I'M
der existing circumstances, but l did
not know but such an observation
might irritate him, and l did not yet
know how mad he was.
Now he asked me, point blank, if
would lend him that apron.
YES" l said to myself, as l went
| for the article, ''he is mad. He may
ask for the carving-knife next, and 1
| must not refuse him.
| 1 brought him the garment. He tim
| idly asked if l would assist him to put
| it ON. | did Sc. l was sorry for him.
| When he had the apron on and but
toned all the way up behind, he
glanced at the door leading into the
diningroOm and inquired if I had any
objection to locking that door, for
some one might come in. l was
frightened, but l locked the door, Mr..
Marks was very slight in build and
did not look strong. 1 thought that in
a hand to hand conflict 1 should, per-
haps, stand as good a chance for vic
tory as he would. There was another
| door leading into the WOodshed.
casually moved round SO that ! was
near this means of exit. CHANGING at
the door, l was horror-struck to see
that there was no key in that lock.
Where was that key? l did not say
these words aloud, but Mr.. Marks an
swered my look.
Il have it in my pocket he said.
His whole appearance indicated such
mental WretchednesS and his gingham
apron was so unbecoming that l was
tOrmented by conflict Of emotions.
you see." he said. desperately, Il
told her I'd do it,
l stared helplessly. He went on.
"She seemed So unhappy about it;
and you did not feel as if you could
fling it in.''
"Oh!' 1 said, light breaking upon
my mind.
YES" he continued, 81 want you to
let me have the footbath tub-she said
you said she could have that-and l
want the. doors kept locked-and l
don't want you to say anything about
it-and''-still more desperately
don't let anybody come in while l
wash Ferdinand"
l brought the bathtub to him. l in
structed him about the warm water in
the tank on the stove. l brought, also,
an old sheet in which to wrap Ferdy
when he came out of the tub Then
l asked him where the dog was. He
opened the woodhouse door and show
ed me the pug asleep on the mat,
with a string going from his neck to
the latch.
At the earnest desire of Mr.. Marks
1 left him. I heard him turn the key
as 1 walked into the woodhouse.
! 1 went back and with my lips to the
L
kitchen in an hour.
He replied that if he had not washed
Ferdy in an hour he never should
| wash him.
I strolled down into the orchard
where Catharine frequently sat during
our leisure time in the afternoon. !
told her that now 1 knew that Miss
Billings was truly beloved, for Mr..
Marks was in our kitchen, and in my
apron, and was washing Ferdinand.
She rose from her seat in consider.
able excitement.
Poor boy!' she exclaimed. 'He will
get bitten; perhaps he will have hydro.
phobia. How can she do it?'
"She is not doing it." 1 said. SIT
is Mr.. Marks who is doing it. What
a thing it must be to be truly loved
Catharine, do you think if 1 were as
old as Miss Flora X. Billings, and
had pug, and boarded where his
washing was not thrown in-do you
think anyone would love me as much
as
But my sister was moving rapidly
toward the house.
where are you going?" I asked
hurrying after her.
II want to be near in case he needs
help"
ssRut Won can't oct in" T ran1ied