Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-09

moved by a sudden resolution. he.
walked over to where Laura Lifferton
was holding little court of her own.
under the pretense of selling button
holes, and soon became one of the
gayest of the gay.
How happy Norton seems to ber'
observed Courtney presently.
Indeed! I thought just now that he
appeared rather dull" replied Flor
ence; and then, as she looked over in
the direction indicated, she observed
him worshipp.ng at the shrine of the
fair Laura, end apparently as happy
as the day was long.
do you think it's a match?" con-
tinued Courtney.
Il have not heard of anything of
the kind" answered Florence, coldly.
They would make an excellent pair,
wouldn't they?"
do you think SOP" responded Flor
ence, evidently speaking with an eff
fort. Il shouldn't consider them at
all suited
oh! wouldn't your" said Court
ney. AT any rate, they seem to I'M
derstand one another" And then.
with a significant smile, he added:
There is evidently no platonic ar
rangement existing between them"
For a few seconds Florence turned
nearly gray, and Courtney was afraid
that she was about to faint: but MAX
ing strong effort, she recovered her
self, and in a little while no stranger
could have told that she was not as
cheerful and light-hearted as any girl
in the room.
During the afternoon Mr.. Masters,
F'lorence's father, came up to the
stall at which the young lady was Of
floating and, after greeting Courtney,
added: "Of course you will dine with
us tonight? By-the-by, Florence. I'm
going to run away with the carriage.
I'll send it back for you in time if I
can, but if not you will be able to find
someone who will put you down at
the lodge"
My dog cart is here, Mr.. Masters"
said Courtney, "and if Miss Masters
will allow me | shall be delighted to
drive her home"
So it was settled, and the afternoon
dragged its weary length alon5-for
two people there, at all events-as
though every minute was an hour.
At last the end arrived, most of the
stallkeepers had gone and the porch
was in semidarkness.
Courtney's dog cart was just outside,
and he was about to help Florence up
into it when Norton suddenly APP
peared upon the scene. Pushing past
Courtney he said: You will ride
home with me, Florence"
Papa has arranged that | should go
with Captain Courtney" answered
/ Florence, making move toward the
dog cart as she spoke.
Courtney won't mind, l am sure"
replied Norton. will you, old fell
LOVE-"
Well, that depends" answered
Courtney slowly. IF it is to nc a
purely platoon expedition, why Miss
Masters may just as we'll come with
me, but if
ton hastily Florence, dear Florence,
come with me!'
A struggle was evidently taking
place within the young lady's bosom
a struggle between love and pride
but love won, and, with a depTecatCry
smile at Courtney, she allowed Norton
to help her into his cart and few
moments later they disappeared into
the dusk.
1t is impossible to say with any
certainty what passed between those
young people during that eVentful
drive, for they both declare that they
do not remember. Anyhow, they
must have gone the longest way
round, for when they arrived at the
lodge, flushed and happy, Courtney
had been waiting some little time for
them, and as Norton passed him he
whispered: you shall be the best
man, old hoy"