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


assured by leading florist was unique,
and for which he mad paid accordingly.
How curious we should be wearing
the same very uncommon fiower?" re
marked the diplomatist in a tone OF
easy comment, as she noticed his start
Of surprise. They had reached the
oyster bar. 1t was thrOnged and
glasses of water take an immense time
to procure. There is no other order
against which a waiter openly rebels;
it is SC alien to his own tastes.
Very odd, indeed. What a time shat
man is; your poor friend will think we
are lost altogether"
Yes; mine Wa, a present from some
body who was prevented from coming
here; she took it out of a bouquet"
He turned the dull red that is the
masculine equivalent for blush.
Then you know Miss Protheroe?"
Very we'll; in fact, I am she. Didn't
you know me?"
Susan's little eyes twinkled, for she
saw this poor young man thought the
florist had made some terrible mistake.
To fetch glasses Of water was one
thing. To buy ruinously dear flowers
to be worn by a girl who was down
right ugly, not even plain, was quite
another. He was not quick enough to
grasp the true aspect Of affairs. The
glass of water came at this juncture.
Captain Bridgenorth looked so very
crestfallen as he took it that Susan re-
Tented. A rather serious expression
came across her face as they went down
the passage.
Yes. 1 am Miss Protheroe, but l
think you stayed at Cherrington with
my little sister,"
"Oh, is she here tonight? l thought
she would be here
mo, she is not here. She is in dis
grace
In disgrace" Then he lowered his
voice and said, as if to himself, with a
pretty touch of tenderness: "The
queen can do no wrong"
Evidently he was very far gone, in
deed. They were back again by this
time, and he administered the glass Of
water very kindly, making eager prof
fers of any further help.
"You have my very best wishes, and
a brotherly way, and then presently
you must let me take you in for little
supper" He forgot that they had not
been introduced Then he turned an
xiously to Susan: Have you any
dances left. If so, will you give me all
you CAM"
will you sit out the rest of this?'
They sat down, and ugly Susan was the
happiest girl in that ballroom.
81 20 to India tomorrow" said An
thony Bridgenorth, becoming very Sc
ricus, but our time is nearly up and L
shall be home in year. 1t Is very
hard fer me to go without saying
coed by to your sister,
"Peroiine is very young yet, Susan
interrolated, with an indefinite sense
Of being consolatory.
But she is so lovely, there is no one
like her. said the lover with a conVlc-
ton that thrilled Susan. A little pic
ture of Peroline, with tears falling on
the white roses, suggested itself. That
is quite true"
Some other fellow will get her While
7 am gone. | am certain OF it. l meant
to have spoken tonight and told her
that she is all the world to me-.
You must rest he said, in quite
they are hopeful ones" Susan could
not say more. Peroline's dainty secret
must be revealed by ler own lips. Her
voice. was more expressive than she
guessed.
Then you think 1 may nope?' II 1t
had been her own Yes" Susan could
not have said it more softly or more
sweetly,
! Her sister was evidently very deeply
! touched. but he was silent. Then she
showed him the little portrait of him
! that she had sketched, and he found
ready words They were not so fluent
when, with a few rapid touches from
! the pencil, PeroIine's CWn face was be-
/ fore him. Meanwhile plenty OF inqulr-
! ing chances had been directed toward
| this couple who had occupied thai Sc
Guided seat SO long. Presently, to
/ Susan's great pleasure, he remembered
her fCrlOrn prOtege.
! Now, let me take you two ladies'
comfortably in to supper
! He WAS as good as his word and they
! had a CHEEKY repast at q vacant table.
The forlOrn one was more amazed at
Susan than ever, when that plaineSt of
maidens touched Captain BridgenOrth'S
glass with her own and drank Ito our
next meeting" he responded with I'M
mistakable sentiment.
! AS they came away the Ianciers were
beginning and Susan went off to dance
with her captain. 1t was actually No.
IS, but she had forgotten all about her
prior engagement. Bob was in the
same set with Miss Denderleigh, more
/ kittenish than ever, and they were all
/ very merry. Captain Bridgenorth put
Susan into the cab with an attention
! that amazed her brother.
/ Bravo, Sukey, you've got an ad-
mirer at last; better late than never -
was his amazed comment, but she l2ade
no rejCinder.
/ When she got home Feroline was ly-
/ ing asleep, looking prettier than ever
with flushed cheeks and curls in con-
! fusion. Susan woke her gently.
! open your eyes, Fairy. He has sent
you a message" And Peroline awoke
to a happiness that was permanent
Black and White.