Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-06-10

ground Of rocks, and no trees or flow
eTs to be seen.
An interesting man came on board
a. Alden. He is tall and broad. with
kind face and dark eyes, and such a
lovely beard and mustache. q think
rather like boards, that horrid Dun
can is clean shaven.) 1 oughtn't to be
thinking about men. Oh, dear! l
wonder if 1 have done right.
1 heard this new man ask the cap
tain, in whose charge I am, whether
he might be introduced to a girl on
board.
Which one?" asked the captain.
Il think she is in your charge" said
the man; "a tall slight girl, with
lovely gray eyes"
| pInoQs I 'em luBeW eABq lsnu eH
like to be introduced, and yet, in
some ways, I would rather not If
fell in love, how awkward it would
/ be-
Miss Carr-Mr. Rogers" The
captain stood before me with the man
who came on board at Alden.
I got red, and hardly dared to
1aise my lovely gray eyes" to the
handsome face above me.
Miss Carr, I know a friend of
yours in Calcutta, Duncan Eastwood. -
I got redder. How much did he
know? How could 1 tell him I was
going to marry a man l had never
seen?
"Oh, yes" 1 stammered; 81 am go
ing to stay for few days with his
sister, Mrs. Osborn, in Calcutta. Do
you know herr"
Yes, slightly" he answered
Rather long way to go for a visit
Of few days, isn't it?"
There was an awkward pause;
simply couldn't tell him the truth.
Obi" I said carelassly, 81 have
other plans after that"
He seemed amused at my confu-
sion; I'm sure I looked a perfect fool,
and 1 was thankful for just then
another man came up and asked me
to join in cricket match they were
getting up.
I have been so happy all these
days, but tonight I am the most
miserable girl in the world. We
shall get to Calcutta tomorrow, and
[ shall be seized on by that odious
man with the white gardenia. l
shall never love him. l love some
enc else; and some one else loves me.
A few hours ago Mr. Rogers asked
me to AIRY him, and I told him all
my story.
l am leaning over the side of the
boat watching the glorious effects of
the moon on the dark waters when
he came up behind me. I had a
white dress on. I looked I'D at him
as he stood near, and he was look
ing down at me with A look I had
never seen before in any mans eyes.
Such a world of love was there, and
all for me! 1t was worth living all my
l9 years just simply to see that look.
| don't know why I did it, but I
couldn't keep back a great sob; and
at that he took me in his arms and
kissed me rassiOnately over and
over again, as though he had lost
control over himself.
l tore myself away, and told him
as calmly as I could all about myself.
Il ought to have told you BEFORE"
cried over and over; 'but oh!
don't you understand how hard it
was? I thought you would think me
such a dreadful girl to marry man
l had never seen"
q don't, dear" he SAID very
gravely. Il think it is a good idea,
and you will find all will go WE'LL
You are heartless!" 1 cried, des-
pairingly. you don't care a bit; you
are not one bit unhappy"
MY Bertha, it is everything to me
to know you love me. I don't think
I shall ever be unhappy again"
"You are cruel, heartless, wicked!'
l cried. II won't listen any more"
and before he could stop me I ran
away, and here 1 am crying my eyes
out, wishing we had all been wrecked
in the bay.
He called me back. Bertha, dear
est, let me explain" but | wouldn't
listen.
A strange thing happened to me.
[ went on deck this morning and
found everything in a hustle and
nearly everyone gone OF shore. I
waited behind purposely. The captain
came up and asked me whether I
could see my friends anywhere about
mo" I answered, miserabIy.
He said he was sorry to see me look
ing SO pale
1.-THE gentleman who is to meet
me is tall and clean shaver, and will
wear white gardenia," began.
Here we are, Them interrupted
the captain, and 1 felt rather than
saw that some one was approaching
My knees were trembling [ thought
[ should fall. couldn't raise my
eyes until suddenly a deep voice that
I knew, ali! yes, and loved, too, spoke:
Miss Carr, Think
Startled, I looked up. The cap
tain had been called away, and I
stood face to face with-Mr. Rogers.
What does it mean?" I gasped.
ct means, my darling, that I am
Duncan Eastwood. Will you for
give me for the deception"
I couldn't speak, and he went on:
Il was impatient to see the dear
little girl who had trusted her future
to me, so, as [ had been i'll and was