Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-16

find that he had an unusual sensation
in the region of the bronchial tubes,
and to rid himself of it, cleared his
throat once or twice in a careless mat
ter-of-fact way; he tried not to let
himself out Of that proper attitude Of
mind, which Hope had said was so
important, and kept assuring himself
encouragingly that if he could only
begin all right he should sail through
surprisingly well, as he had done in
the park; to which end he repeated
several times the first sentence he
had used in his recent rehearsal. Then
he began to wonder why she did not
come down, and convinced that he
had been waiting an inordinate length
of time, sudden, wild CLEAN of hope
shot across his sky-perhaps she was
not at home! He was just pulling him
self together at this thought, when the
heavy curtains at the door were
pushed aside, and she entered.
Kendall went forward to meet her,
looking exceedingly dignifed and in
telligent, and possessed of but one per-
fectly clear and distinct idea-that he
must now begin right"
Excuse me for coming again, Miss
Arnold he repeated with punctilious
preciseness, gazing haughtily at the
opposite wall, but l found on getting
away that l had forgotten something"
''Oh, did you leave something here?"
inquired the lady i'll voice, which,
not altogether steady, seemed to &C
cord with a certain unusual express
sion in her eyes. Kendall, for the
first time in all their intercourse not
noticing her, owing to his sudden alb
sorbing interest in a beautiful etch-
ing near him, realized that this was
the moment to take the citadel by
storm and answered, with all the elo-
quence he could at the moment COM
mand:
''4es-When l got away, began TO
think that Ito realize that when |
was here-that two hours ago-to feel
that after alI-if you would give me
the opportunity and not be too hard
on NEIL short with a desperate
spurt) to determine that would
come back and tell you that L"
his eyes having left the etching had
fallen upon a small table across the
room; Heaven is said to help those
VINO help themselves, and kendall's
mettle had been proved, that l left
my notebook here!" he finished, in
triumph, walking to the table and
possessing himself OF the Little leather
DUuLu article OF such sUraIeglc impor-
,eAce, lylng upon il.
On! said MISS Arnold IN a strange
the, Il,,WinS 4 quick, LeoJ breath.
Lid You .C---v L4.A -o4 that?
Should have sent II 20 you when it
was discovered; but perhaps you
needed it at onCe?"
: Yes; | needed it this afternoon"
replied Kendall, feeling great load
OIL his mind and speaking almost
easily. 1t contains some lgures IL
wished to use at the club and of course
that reminded me Of it,
i am sorry you have been so in
convenlenced," she said, somewhat
IaDoriously. 1T is long distance to
the cub. Isn't it very cold for walk
Ing?"
Better for walking than for driving,
lie responded, pOcketlng his notebook
and moving towards the door; Il
actually pitled those girls in the park.
they showed pluck; never a white
Ieatner, but they must have been
ueezlng. / have yet to see physi-
Cal discomfort that a girl can't tace ii
- is necessary in order for her to do
me correct thing"
The park" repeated Madeline.
You suIely haven't been to the park,
too, in this short timer"
OH" Kendall nesitated; well,
yes; took that in on the way"
Then, having reached the door, and
wishing to avoid opportunity Tor what
he would have called further "Dreaks,'
he turned to say his adieus. Madeline's
response was oddly Irrelevant.
Are you sure,' she said in
strained, unnatural manner and with
apparent eIOrt, sure that you haven't
anything else to say?''
Why, | don't think OF anything
more, said Kendall amiably, in whose
breast a great relief at having passed
his ordeal had made every other feel
ing subordinate; 1T was aWfully
stupid OF ne to forget my notebook,
and am sorry to have troubled you;
that's ALL | will promise not to do it
again." and he turned once more to
go.
Oh cried Madeline, in a voice that
was a wall, as she sank despairingly
upon a couch and buried her head
among the cushions, then you don't
care for me, after ALI
And do you know, Jack she was
saying to him a quarter of an hour
later, when they were both sitting on
the couch and she had abandoned the
cushions, i've minutes after l had
been so horrid to you and you had
gone, l was up stairs crying my heart
out, and willing to give worlds to have
you back. Only l knew you would
never ask NE again. And Hope Brew
'ster dropped in, and was too miser-
able TO fabricate, SO | told her all
about il. She said she was sure it
would turn out all right; but you see
I knew you better, and, [ assured her
you would never give me another
chance-never. And the facts have