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

ering America.
Yes, I'll do it,
Good" exclaimed Hope. Now be
sure you get into the rIgnt attitude .
mind this time. Take it for granted
tha she cares for you; remember that
you are worth a good deal yourself,
and that a great many people think
there is no one like you. Finally, if
she refuses you absolutely don't
think she will, but you can never be
utterly sure Of what a woman will do
let her see that you are a strong,
self-reliant man, who IS, it is true,
deeply disappointed, but who will so
out from her presence and continue to
build his life, clean and true and up
right, life which is to be, quite in
dependently Of her, worth while. Do
you feel this way, Jack?"'
We'll, 1 guess 1 could act the part
anyway. All, by the way, Miss Hope,
supposing 1 practice up a bit on you?"
On mel" 1t was Hopes turn to re-
peat words.
Yes; so you can see if I've the
right idea and could carry it out
properly, you know. You've got me
into this thing, and you might as we'll
see if I'm in correct trim to make a
success Of it,
Well" said Hope, doubtfully, 'of
course, if it will help you any. Go
ahead; I'll be Madeline. What will
you say when she comes into the re-
ception room?"
Il shall say, Excuse me for COM
ing again, Miss Arnold, but I found,
on going away, that l had forgotten
| something'
"Oh, did you leave something here?"
asked Hopes Miss Arnold, III chilling
tones. They seemed to put the breath
of life into Kendall's courage, and his
voice rang out with manly decision.
Yes, l left you here and the an
swer l want. 1 think the first part
Of this afternoon was a bad dream,
and I've come back to have you Waken
me and tell me so. There's no use,
MadaIine l will not have mo- for an
ansWer!"
Kendall had forgotten Hope and was
gazing into space with fire and deter
mination in his aspect.
Il think we finished all that little
while a@c Mr.. Kendall. If you
haven't Anything else to say to me,
perhaps | would better leave you"
10 ho
will be used to it, interpolated Hoppe.
You will not leave me until you
have heard me tell you in full all the
reasons why you were wrong in giving
me the answer you did before" said
Kendall firmly. In the first place,
you are all the world to me. In the
| second place, know that you-oh,
never mind any more, Miss Hope; Il
| can't do it to you, after all; but I see
exactly how it goes, and l am just in
way to meet her, bless her. l was a
fool for acting so like a cowardly cad
before. Any woman would despise it.
[ guess I'll go right along, Miss Hope,
if you don't mind. Are you walking
my way?'
NO" said Hope rising with him
and adjusting herself to the sudden
quickstep in the march of events.
Pm going up by the reservoir. Good
by, Jack, and good luck to you!" And
she smiled and nodded encouragingly
at him as they shook hands in part
ing.
Kendall walked rapidly southwark.
his head up and his shoulders we'll
back. He had not noticed before how
perfect his surroundings were. The
exquisite coloring of the Wintry sun
set sky brought out to full advantage
the grace of the tree forms silhOuetted
against it; the stretches of dull green
grass, the little sheets Of Recovered
water, the rustic bridges, the lichen-
gray rocks, ali seemed to smile good
cheer at him. the tall apartment
buildings below wore a face Of kindli-
ness and substantial comfort; the twin
spires Of the cathedral further down
seemed like encouraging friends,
EEChOuIuS Hill Ou.
All through the park his feeling of
hope and confidence amounted almost
to conviction that he was walking
straight upon success. 1t was not until
after emerging upon the avenue, he
was nearing the. fateful cross street
that the fever of his haste began
/ slightly to abate; and, as he rounded
! the corner his footsteps followed each
other in less rapid succession upon the
broad fag-stones which seemed in
some subtle way to suggest the con-
yentiOnal elegance and impressiveness
of their surroundings. Afterwards he
! remembered that street-piano across
| the way had been playing a familiar
| Italian air; that lady had been en-
gaed in an ignominious alteration
with her ribbOn-led pug dog regarding
! the direction Of their promenade; that
an awkward and unWieldy horseless
| carriage with it's usual self-conscious
| occupants had met and passed him;
! and that he had noticed and been di-
verified by all these things-such is
mans obligation to perceive the least
in the presence Of the greatest. Truth
/ to tell, however, it was not until he
! doors, and had mechanically touched
stood face to face with the familiar
the unassuming but portentious black
rubber that the full realization of his