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

courtney. But take my auV1ce, ana
remember the fable of the moth and
the candle"
You're so fond of measuring other
peoples corn by your own bushel,"
rejoined Norton, a trife irritably.
Anyhow, if l do burn my wings it
won't be Flor-Miss Masters fault"
Time will show, dear youth; time
will show" answered Courtney, with
his satirical smile But I'll tell you
honestly, I shall expect to be best
man"
Something upset you in town yes
terday, Ned" remarked Florence as
Norton helped her mount her cycle the
next morning, What was it?''
Only that cynical wretch, Court
ney," was the reply. He is a regular
Diogenes, and ought to be shut up in
tub for the remainder of his natural
existence.
'Oh, do you think so?'' replied Flor
ence. L like Captain Courtney i'm
mensely. There is no frivolity or
nonsense about him; he always says
what he means
Yes, and too plainly sometimes"
observed Norton, little bitterly. AS
a matter of fact, l don't think he is a
good companion for any young girl,
and l wish you wouldn't encourage
him quite so much"
Encourage him?" repeated Flor
ence, with the slightest possible touch
of hauteur in her voice. What on
earth do you mean?"
why, at the Dawsons' bali the
other evening you danced twice run
ming with him, and then lei MIN take
YOU down to supper"
And why? Because you were so
busily engaged with Laura Lifferton
that you forgot to come and fetch me
as we had arranged"
My dear Florence" demonstrated
Norton, that was a misunderstanding
[ can assure you. AS I explained to
you before, l have no recollection of
having made any arrangement with
you as to supper"
ooh, well, don't let us quarrel about
it" interrupted Florence Let us
change the conversation. What did
Captain Courtney say to upset you to-
day."
ooh, he was chatting me about our
friendship"
"Yes?" inquired Florence eagerly
And what did you say"
ooh, 1 told him that if burnt my
wings it wouldn't be your fault" re-
piled Norton, almost savagely.
Florence gave him a quick side
glance, and then, after a moments
hesitation, observed: "That was a
somewhat silly remark to make
wasn't it? 1t might lead him to think
that our alliance was not such a sue
cess as it undoubtedly is"
Il don't think so" answered Norton.
Il gave him to understand that we
had not altered our opinions in the
least
ooh, that's all right, then! By-the-
by, hope you Cid not forget to invite
him down for the BAZAAR"
Oh, 40, I didn't forget And that
reminds me-did you think of asking
little Laura to help?"
Whom Go you mean? The LITER
ton girl? | have not asked her yet,
for, to tell you the truth, l don't care
for her She lacks stability; and
well, to put it mildly, she's somewhat
too Eighty for my taste.
oh, [ hope you'll have herr
pleaded Norton. She's jolly little
girl, and always full Of
eff you want her to come so particu-
larly," interrupted Florence, "Tll
write to her directly we get back
And-er-er-I think we had better be
turning now; it looks as though it
were going to rain"
The bazaar in question was one of
those innocent conspiracies between
the parson and the ladies whereby
certain masculine creatures whose
laziness on Sunday mornings prevents
them from offering their aims and
oblations, are wheedled, persuaded,
and cajoled into assisting in the res
toration of the spire, or some other
equally necessary and laudable object.
On the eventful day the schoolroom
where the stalls had been fitted up
was a perfect picture; what with
pretty girls, charming dresses, and
lovely flowers, the effect upon the
more youthful bachelors was be-
wildering, and the sale of fancy ar
ticles, at still more fancy prices, went
on apace.
Captain Cou~ 3y was standing near
ton, and there is q great deal of truth
in the old adage that "Lookers-on see
most of the game" especially when
the game is love.
"They are so charmingly innocent" y
he thought. 1--WE a good mind to
make them happy. But why should l
trouble myself? They won't thank
me for my pains. Shall [? [ will
Strolling toward Norton, Courtney
said, Ned, can I have two minutes
conversation with you-quietly?"
Eyes, dear boy, certainly" replied
Norton. Come this way. Now, what
is it?''
Excuse me for putting the question
plainly to you," commenced Courtney.
But when two peoples happiness de-
ponds upon the answer, one may be
pardoned for a little bluntness. |
want to know what your position is
with regard to Miss Masters"
My position?" repeated Norton, first
flushing up to his eyebrows and then
turning deathly pale; 'I-I-I-don't