Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-07

I've swept and dusted-and jerk, and
twist, ard poke the things around, and
| bluff up a little? The Ballous are COM
| ing this afternoon. [ want them to
! think they are sitting on crushed
plush, and gazing on rare bric-a-brac
and real oil paintings. I can do it if
you will exercise your own magic five
mirutes'
Aldena laughed a little at her sis
ter's protesting face, but drew her
away, returning directly and gathering
up the dishes in 4 listless, half hearted
fashion, as if the task was irksome.
81 wish" she said chat I had taste
I would like to do the pretty work.
Not that Lima ever shirks." she added
as Lawyer MilIet, the only person in
the room now beside herself, looked
up quickly from his paper, Lima
always pitches right into tie midst of
the most disagreeable things"
I'VE do rot all have the same gifts"
said the lawyer kindly.
Just then Lima came in. She heard
Aldenas long sigh, and SOW her eyes
fixed upon Lawyer Millet. Aldena was
quite plain, but she had beautiful,
dark, dreamy eyes, and when she
looked up, you forgot that she was
plain. Lawyer Millet was looking into
Aldena's eyes.
Lincoln Millet was studying with
Lawyer Shrewdon, and it was he that
had recommended his pupil to try the
PoWers's for a boarding place. He had
been there four months now and his
relations with the family were quite
pleasant.
Though reserved and of few words
his quiet sympathy and unobtrusive
interest in the individual affairs Of
each member had won their friendship.
Many little word from his lips had
dropped into the hearts of the little
circle, whose fruits were a growing
harmony, and an increasing thought
fulness, one for the other Kites, foot
ball. knOtty blems,-"naughty prob
lems," Aldena called them-disagree-
ments, each and all received equal
sympathy from Lawyer Millet.
Only Lima withheld her confidence.
Lincold Millet regarded her attentively
as she IOved about the room, with he
characteristic air of independence and
self-reliance, and wondered if she
was as sufficient unto herself as she
appeared
1t was a tall Well-formed figure tb7t
with the blush of youth and health,
hp oh ho
and youth and health gave grace to
every motion. Her presence had in
OF the gladness of bright spring
morning.
There was but one objection to Lima
Powers; that objeCtion-it was a
thousand pities it was there,-lay in
the curve of Lina's mouth The soul
writes itself out in Natures shorthand,
the lines and curves of the face, though
we may think we are hiding it ever
so shrewdly. Lawyer Millet read here
discomfort.
Also he noted a lack of repose in
her; all her movements were restless.
No one else had noticed. She was al
ways seen and spoken of as a glad
some maiden, and her brightness so
Outshone her shadow, that gladness
grew into Lawyer Millet's heart when
ever he looked at her.
But when he was by himself, he
wondered a little about the shadow.
Was it just a natural shadow that so
often comes to youth, or was there
some condition Of the life that caused
it?
Today he saw her secret smoldering
III her dark eyes. At night he knew
by the decisive set of the mouth and
by her step which had something
marked in it, that she had made a re-
solve
In the evening conversation was sus-
pended until Mr.. Powers had read his
paper. The boys studied their lessons,
Aldena crocheted, Lima welded a darn
ing needle, or read book, ard Lawyer
Millet when he was present, as often
happened, held book or paper before
his eyes, while he studied the faces
about him. Lawyer Mi1Iet had a lik-
ing for studying faces.
of November"
Lima spoke The instant her fathers
paper had dropped to the floor Law
yer Millet had observed that she
glanced about the little circle, letting
her eyes 1inger on each face as if she
was taking a farewell-himself almost
passing by-and every glance
at her father seemed to strengthen her
purpose. Her glance rested longest
on Aldena, who had forgotten her
in the fire.
Lina's speech ruffled the silence
brusquely. Mr.. Powers started from
his chair, without even raising his
eyes to Lina's face. and crossing the
room to the lounge stretched his length
there for his usual evening nap. Be-
fore he had quite composed himself he
half grumbled out in a dry voice:
you've got less sense than 1 gave
you credit for
1t appeared that Aldena and the
boys were prepared for this announce
ment of Lina's for they only started
when they heard her voice, and then
looked toward their father. Now
they brought ont their games, and
things went on as usual.
Abruptly came voice from across
the room. What are you going to do?"
Paint
Her breath futtered little, betray-
ing her annarent calm Tharn mac