Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-09
Four HIOnthS Afterward


let us alone? I am accustomed tc
any amount of gossip; people must have
something to talk about, and I'm sure
I'm delighted to be able to afford them
any amusement, but when it comes tC
being smacked on the back and con-
graduated six times in one afternoon
it's coming it a bit too strong. I don't
mind for my own sake-a man can look
after himself-but I'm thinking of YOU,
l was in hopes that you had not heard. .
/ Not heard, indeed, l had two let
tiers this morning, and three this after
noon; four wanting 20 know when the
wedding was to be, and the fifth from a
girl asking to be bridesmaid. / am
afraid to go out. People fly at ME at
every corner, shake my hand off and
say how delighted they are and how
charming it is and how they always
knew it would come to this. and that
we are made for one another-they
never did know two people so exactly
suited"
Extraordinary! That's what they
say to me. | never was so taken apack
in my life. Of course, we've always
been good friends, but
Certainly not"
"And I don't think
Neither do I. It's absurd! Utter
nonserser'
"No, but really-let us have it out
while we are about it. What can have
given rise to such a ridiculous report?
We have been a good deal together, of
course, because we are in the same set,
and always seem to hit it off, and you
are such jolly good dancer, and all
that kind of thing, but I can't see what
we have done to set people talking at
this rate Honestly, now-I am an
xious to know-did you ever imagine
that is to say, did you think mean,
have I ever
you never have! No, Captain May,
and | have never imagined. On The
contrary, [ don't mind admitting, now
that we are upon the subject. that |
have cherished a secret drudge against
you because you have never given me
an opportunity Of refusing you. That
sort of neglect rankles in woman's
mind and now see for yourself the dwk-
ward position in which it has place..
me. When people ask if I am engaged
to you I am obliged to confess that |
have never been asked. You ought to
have thought of this and provided
against it. It would have been 50 easy
some night at a ball, or in an interval
at the heater-the whole thing might
have been over in five minutes, and
then I should have been able to say
that I had refused you, and everything
would have been happy and comfort
able don't feel as if I could ever for
give you"
Sorry indeed! You see should have
been most happy, only I could never
feel quite sure that yoE really would
re-
"How odious you are! You need not
have been afraid; there never was any
thing more certain since the beginning
of the world. I wouldn't marry you to
save your life! I would as soon think
f failing in love with the man in the
moon! We have always been friends
of course, but that counts for nothing.
One may like a person very much, and
yet find it quite impossible to so any
further. l could better love a horse
mani
Same with me! I think 10 end OF
you, but when Lewis came and congrat-
ulated me the other day [ was struck
all Of heap. If he had said the same
thing about dozen others girls
should have been less surprised. but it
never occurred to me to look upon YOU
in that light"
"Oh, indeed! I'm awfully obliged
IN sure, but [ don't think much of
your taste. There are a dozen other
men who wouldn't agree with you.
that's one comfort. AS I am so utterly
repulsiVe in your eyes, 1 think I had
better say Good afternoon at once
and relieve you of my presence"
What nonsense you talk! I never
said a word about your appearance that
Know of. That's the worst of argu-
Ing With wOman-she flies off at a
tangent and there's no doing any good
with her. [ dent see why you should
be offended. You seemed to think it
just as impossible to fall in love with
me-
That's different-I mean, I don't
care what you think; but other people
think-that's to say, I have always
been told. Some people think I am
very nice, if you don't. I think it's
perfectly hateful of you to say such
things! I should like to know, just as
matter of curiosity, what it is in me
you object to so much?"
you won't like it, you know, when
you do hear-you'n be in a bigger rage
than ever. Much better leave it alone.
Well if you will have it, I dislike the
way you do your hair. Wait a moment
it means more than you think 1t is
not only ugly in ITSELF but it shows a
fatal want of perception. Your beauty
If you will allow me to say SOS of
a classic order, and if you adopted a
more natural style Of couture, your ap-
pearance would really be-er-uncom-
monty fetchingi Stead of that, you
persist in following a hideous exaggera-
ton Of fashion. which destroys your in
diviGuality and is utterly unsuited TO
your style. 1t seems small thing In
itself, out it has far-reaching conse-
quences. The moment we meet I NO
tice it. don't you know, and feel an
noyed. The whole time l am with Won
I am Worrying aboI1f II IT cots IN n