Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-15


Miss Rose Nell and ushered my guests
to the room set apart for them, for my
butler had suddenly disappeared and
left this duty to me.
Wien l saw Rose Nell in the full
glare Of the study lights l forgot the in
convenience to which l had been put,
that to keep up appearances 1 had to be
driven to deception, and was really
honest in the thanks l showed on my
aunt for the honor of her coming. She
was a beautiful girl, with at tall. finely
proportional figure; deep black hair
and eyes and face no feature of which
was perfect, but which as a whole was
most attractive. To be frank again, Miss
MelIs charms were further increased
for me by a remark my aunt made as
dear, mind your ps and qs," she whis-
pered, shes as rich as Mrs. Croesus
and the charmingest-it's the best
word-girl I know"
Thank you for your kindly interest,
aunt" I replied in an undertone In
a louder voice I added, Il am we'll con-
tented with my bachelor condition.
And who wouldn't be in such a jol-
ly place" cried my cousin, as we were
seated, and her eyes scanned the walls
covered with curios that HOLLYWOOD had
gathered from every quarter Of the
globe.
II almost long to be a bachelor"
That was as far as Miss Nell progress
ed, for as she was speaking her eyes
fell upon the butler standing behind
my chair. She flushed, then the color
left her face and she stared at him, I'M
consciously. Her confusion was but
momentary. She recovered herself
and with the greatest composure added:
Yes, it must be jolly to be bachelor
and live like this
'Vandergust is certainly an extreme
ly lucky fellow" cried Carter.
Are you married." inquired my pert
cousin.
Dear me, no! Never my friend ex-
claimed. Nov, don't you think he's
a lucky fellow, Miss Mell?"
She thought was, poor girl, but I
did not have an opportunity for learning
her reason, for he engaged her atten-
ton with an extended account of his
idea oflmcuyk. - * g olgb
idea Of my luck. My aunt flowed off in
to long recital concerning the dull
ness of life at Newport, which my
cousin frequently interrupted with eX-
pressiOns Of dissent or approval. I
responded with obs, abs, and indeeds,
and furtively watched Branton as he
served the oysters. His usually ruddy
face was as pale as my Povertys, his
hands trembled as he moved about at
his duties, and he seemd studiouBly to
avoid the glances of the whole COM
pany. [ wanted to smile at him, and, if
possible, cheer him up with wink, but
he simply would not be winked at.
What a lovely butler you haver' ex-
claimed Lyvia, as he left the room for
the third course, the roast we had
taken so much pains over, and the po-
tatoes I had cut my hands in pealing,
the peas we had purchased in a can
and boiled or stewed, or something
like that.
"a splendid looking fellow, remak-
ed to Vandergust just before you
came" Carter said. II think he was
lucky to get him. Don't you think he
was lucky, Miss Mell?"
Her reply was inaudible. Branton's
return necessitated a new line of con-
versation. So that he might have a lit
tie fun out Of it 1 spoke Of the cook"
eff you will pardon my burdening
you with my housekeeping woes"
venured, Il will ask your advice about
a cook. l can't get good one
4 think he or she does vey we'll in
Decd said MY aunt
But good ones won't stay"
"a matter of days out, [ suppose?"
perhaps you don't pay Them ven
tured Carter, facetiously.
[ laughed at this, and succeeded in
bestowing wink on the butler, where
upon he Immediately dropped the preci-
Gus dish of potatoes, SO that they went
tracking over Holwood's fine old Tur-
kish rug. The miscreant servant, in
q moment of confusion and forgetful-
ness, fell upon his knees and tried to
sweep them back into the dish with
his arms, as he would have gathered in
an abnonmally large stock Of chips.
My guest and 1 assumed an air of COM
plete obliviousness to the incident, and
by the time he had arisen from the
floor, with hair disheveled and burning
face, and escaped from the room we
were talking of the west
you know, Frank" laughed my
aunt. you eastern men have absolutely
failed to make an impression on Rosa"
I'm certain Miss Nell has not failed
to make an impression, deep impress
sion, on we eastern men," observed
Carter, CALAMITY. do you think she
has failed, VanderguBt?"
I'm competent to speak for but
two,' I replied, "but I will say"
Mrs. Vandergust does me an injus-
tice," cried Miss Nell. 81 do not like
New York men"
But none are quite so facinating as
a certain person met on your fathers
ranch interrupted my cousin.
"a cowboy?" asked Carter, suddenly
becoming intensely interested.
ga COW puncher, if you will" laughed
the fair girl with a revolver, a red
shirt and all the appropriate settings"
''She tries TO laugh it off," cried
Lyvia. "But, really, Mr.. Carter, it's
true
Nonsense, Lyvia," Miss Nell ex-
claimed with the most charming pos
Gil