Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-14

she said, as L took my place at the
breakfast table.
Yes, thanks l replied, as I opened
my letters.
Among them was note from Lydia.
l have a wretched cold, 50 cannot go
out. Do come and see me this morn
ing, DEAR" she wrote.
1t is very unsympathetic Of me-"
thought but l wouldn't see Lydia on
any account till | have settled with
Sir George
Nora" said mamma, looking up,
uddeniy from note she was reading,
Sir George says he is called out OF
own on business, so he won't be able
to come to lunch. He says We may
expect him later in the day"
For fear Of meeting Tom, l decided
o remain indoors all day; so, getting
my easel and colors. | tried to paint,
but only succeeded in spelling my can
vas. Then l attempted to learn a SON
alta of Beethoven's, but gave it up as
a dismal failure. 1 began a volume of
Essays, but found myself forever gain g
blankly at one page. In the end l
abandoned the attempt TO settle down
to anything and spent the morning il
roaming about the house, arranging
and dlsaranging the furniture and list
lessly turning over books and music
1t seemed IS if the day would never
end.
Il am going for turn in the park.
Would you care tc come as Well?''
mamma said, coming into the library,
where l had settled to write some let
tiers.
Il rather want to finish these letters, -
[ said, looking UP from the thin sheet
of note paper | had spoiled, so if you
don't mind going alone I'll stay in"
Mamma had gone about an hour,
when there was an impatient ring at
the door bell. A moment afterward l
heard the sound Of mans firm tread
approaching the library.
1T is Sir George 1 exclaimed, shut
ting my desk and springing to my feet
But l must get it over" l said paus-
ing irresolutely; Its no use to put it
off any longer.
Dr. Goodhart!"
Toni" l exclaimed, in thunder
Istruck tones, as the door closed behind
him and he fastened toward me-
!! How lucky to find you in" cried
Tom. i knew you wouldn't be expect
ing me, and was afraid you might be
out. You must have wondered what
lad become of me, but | thought |
would rather tell you the good news
than write
l stared at him in amazement, for
instead of appearing wretched, as | had
expected him TO be, he looked the en-
bodiment of health and happiness.
The old boy" he continued, has
actually taken me into partnership. 1t
is ali quite encouragement drawn
UP and everything settled. I've on
lily just got back to town, and came
straight here to tell you; l wanted you
Ito hear it first. And, now, Nora, my
darling, you can't possibly raise any
more obstacles against cur engage
ment, can you?"
"H-haven't you had my letter." l
stammered.
"The one in which you said you
| thought we couldn't live ON G20O a
Iyear?" said Tom. My dear girl, do
you think | would ask you to rough it
with me ON that? You really believed
my income was so very inlted?'
"Oh, Tom, you don't understand"
said family. 81 did not mean that let
ter; it is the two others
The two others!" Tom echoed, look
| ing puzzled. "Oh, how stupid of me-,
Of course, you sent them to my rooms,
and they are there still. Never mind
Well make up for it now with a nice
long chat instead. It seems an age
since l saw you last, my dear!'
l grew cold and dizzy; the room
seemed to swim around me. Toni"
cried, tearing myself from his en-
brace-'Tom, am hateful wretch.
Don't come near me till you know
everything"
My dear girl, what is the mater?"
'"The letters I gasped. You will
never speak to me again when you have
seen them"
''In that case l most certainly shall
not readthem :" said Tor very calmly.
"You must!" 1 cried peremptorily.
You must"
| But if they are disagreeable l would
much rather not" protested Tom.
That's the reason that you must" l
replied.
Nora, dear, if there is anything you
would rather have left unsaid in the
letter, l would infinitely prefer to burn
them"
''No! No!No!" 1 cried, bursting into
tears. You will, you must, you shall
read them"
ooh, the deuce!" cried Tom. For
heavens sake, don't cry about it!
promise you, as you seem to have set
your heart upon my doing so, that l
will read those letters when l go home
tonight. Now you must be nice,
| think
Tea, is in, if you please, miss" said
Jane, knocking at my door some little
time later on in the afternoon.
Has mamma come back YETI" in
Quired.
yes, miss; she sent me to say that
she was waiting for you"
1T will never do to give way" I said
to myself. 1--WE got to face Sir George
as yet"
smoothed my ruffied hair and went
down to the drawing-room 1 knew