Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-28

Excuse me-" said Nora, hastily; 81
have nc afection-for any one.
Come, come, Miss Wortley. just
listen to me. Accept my hand and you
will find plenty Of affection for me. !
will make you an excellent husband,
very domesticated, don't smoke. don't
drink. not very particular about my
meals, and very easily pleased. if any
one cares to study me. Now just say
yes and it is all settled"
Il am much obliged, but 1 would
rather say mo-"
! But I am not going to take that for
an answer; if you don't say yes to-
day, 1 will call again tomorrow, and
so on every day"
II assure you l mean no." said
Miss Wortley, decidedly; 81 beg you
will take that for an answer. 1 shall
never get engaged again"
poor thing, poor thing. You have
such an affectionate disposition, your
thoughts are running on the injury
that great brute did you. Never mind.
my dear, $1,000 makes a very excellent
plaster. and will soothe the wound
very much. That reminds me-blesS
! my soul, how could it have escaped
me?-of course, you shall have entire
control Of your money yourself, though
I could find an excellent investment
for it."
THANK you, Mr.. Thompson, but l
will not marry you, and as for the
money you were instrumental in get
ting for me, l am so ashamed of it that
1 think I shall give it to some charity
Nonsense, Miss Wortley, you will
get over this. I wish that fellow was
not such a great hulking brute. I
should like to give him a horse-whip-
ping-as soon as the money is paid, of
course"
somebody in the court wrote a pro-
posal of marriage and passed it to me
as soon as the damages were awarded;
he was beforehand with you"
do you mean that you accepted
him?" Thompson grew red with anger,
and his hair stood up more aggres-
sively than before.
w, l. w Iop, CIbS 1ibh L hoN Z
accepted you; but l like him better
than l do you"
"Why?" ne asked sharply.
Because he took mo- for an an
swer."
"Goodby, Miss Wortley, for the pres
emit said Nj. Thompson, making a
frantic rush for his hat and gloves.
Thompson opened the door and gave
admittance to some one who was about
to knock. He gave a look at the new
conner and hesitated to leave, but a
very decided action on the others part
induced him to do so.
The door which had been held open
so meaningly for him was very
promptly slammed after him, not with
out a suspicious movement, which
looked like a kick. which was aimed at
the departed guest.
The newcomer was Oliver Toogood.
a tall, burly, hearty looking man of
forty, having the appearance of a
country gentleman. though he was
in his county for honesty and fair
dealing.
He drew up a chair to the fire which
was now burning brightly, and,
flushed with excitement and without
s%alutation he began
"What was that bringing little beg
gar doing here?"
"He came to see me, Oli-Mr. Too
good" Nora said nervously.
"Well the less you have to do with
him out of business hours the better
he said brusquely. 81 can't deny but
that he has done your work well. !
suppose you are grateful to him and
! all that"
Eyes; [ suppose l am" Miss Wortley
said, doubtfully; 81 don't know
'You ought to know, then. You
would not have got $1,000 damages If
he had not gone about it in the right
way. 1 have got the money here for
you" He slapped his POCKET signifi-
cantly. '"Take my advice, Nora, and
have his bill taxed"
"You are very kind to interest your
self about it," said Nora, YEARLY; "but
I don't think Mr.. Thompson is likely
to overcharge or cheat me-in fact, he
wishes to make me his wife"
The making Of such a confession
was distinctly contrary to Miss Wort
ley's usual manner, but a sudden in
clination seized her to show her
quondam lover that she was not de-
spised by every one, though he had
cast her off without reason.
"But, are you going to marry him?'
I'll don't know"
Nora did know very well, but there
was something very confusing in
Oliver Toogood's fixed gaze and the
interest he showed in her embarrassed
her, and aroused strange ideas.
Surely you will never tie yourself
to a little. peddling attorney chap like
that?" he burst out impetuoulsy.
why I could buy him out and out
four times over. A little snip like that
I could take up with my finger and
thumb"
'It is very lonely for me-" said Nora,
looking down, so that Oliver Toogood
only saw her long. dark lashes.
"But you might do better than that
Oliver blurted out, with what you
have saved and my money
yes" said Nora, still keeping her
eyes cast down; perhaps 1 could. l
have had other offers"
1.-THE deuce you have"
But"
"We1I9" ha MT in imna tiontIv