Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-02

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the spirits Of young and old alike and
to lnfuse hope into the hearts Of the
weary, over-Worked populace, Richard
set out, intending to be away a year
and hoping to overcome this wretched
unrest and to find the reality of that
ever present, haunting vision of the
I beautiful face and tender blue eyes of
this unknown girl.
At the first hotel where he stopped.
as he was about to register. he was
startled to see on the opposite page
staring him in the face-the names
OF Mrs. Section and Miss Helen Section.
He ceased abruptly, and pointed to
the name.
20, yes, the clerk replied to his
look of inquiry, "a very beautiful
young lady; seems to be travelling for
her health. Very reserved people.
They left yesterday"
The clerk asked if Mr.. Grey were
i'll, or if he would have something to
drink.
After this Richard decided to go into
the country for two or three weeks,
wishing he had been but a day sooner
so as not to have missed her, and
being very low spirited i'll consequence.
He secured board for the month of
June at a beautiful little place, where
everything was comfortable, clean and
home-like. Here he spent two weeks
OF as near happiness as he had enjoyed
for some time. In fact, he thought he
had entirely recovered his spirits and
forgotten that nonsense, as he now
called it, about an unknown girl.
But as he came down to breakfast,
at the beginning of the third week,
his landlady, good wholesome look
ing, motherly sort of person, told him
that she expected some newcomers at
the end of the week, and that she
hoped he would not much mind and
that maybe he would be glad for a
little company.
Richard careless1y inquired the
names of the persons.
Now, I amt acquainted with them,
but my place was recommended to
them by some Of their friends, and
SO [ thought I would just let them
come. [ got letter this morning say
ing they would be here at the end of
the week.
Then opening the letter she slowly
adjusted her spectacles, and read,
Mrs. Section"
Richard almost jumped from his
chair, and gasped-
Would you mind letting me know
her present address?"
The woman looked the letter over
several times and then answered.
We'll, it seems to have been written
on the train
Richard waited impatiently until the
end Of the week. Life looked brighter
to him now. He should see her. Why
was it that he SO longed to make her
acquaintance when but a few days
ago he had given up all idea of finding
her? There it was-had he given it
up or was it not merely that he had
been forced to do so? At any rate,
at the least hope of seeing her his
heart bounded with joy. He had tried
to make himself think he did not care,
because his search had seemed so
hopeless. At the end of the week he
ventured to ask the landlady what
lay the Sections would arrive.
90! 1 forgot" she replied good
humoredly, they sent word they could
not come after ALL
Richard asked almost roughly:
do you remember that address,"
'Well-well- let me see. No,
[ don't I'd ought to. I would let you
see the letter, but come to think of
it, l used it for lighters and it is
burned"
Richard paid his bill the next day
and departed, now thoroughly dis
gusted, and determined to put the sea
between himself and this vanishing
girl. If he could not find her, he would
no longer torture himself with vain
searchings after her; nor did he take
moments time to consider. He
hastily made his arrangements, and
was on board a ship in a few days
and steamed away.
One day, as he was pacing to and
fro on the deck, he was joined by an
officer, with whom he had had several
conversations. In the course of their
talk the man said:
You are a lucky fellow to get that
state-room. l know of lot of fellows
who would have been glad to get it
and who even applied for it; but you
see the young lady did not give it up
till the day before this vessel was to
sail and there was no time to notify
any of them
Richard turned to him almost de-
family and asked the name of the
young lady, whose state-room he was
now occupying. The man seemed sur
prised at his tone, but answered pleas
antly enough
Miss Seeton-Miss Helen Section"
Richard looked out to sea and sWOre.
In the early part of October he re-
turned and went directly to his club,
where he was welcomed gaily, and
congratulated on his bronzed and
bearded appearance. He looked cheer
full also. For three months he had
been sightseeing and almost happy.
AS soon as he was left moment to
himself, he sat down and opened the
newspaper. These were the first
words his eyes fell upon: