Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-03-18

done. Miss Smith is a friend of
mine, and I know she would not sane
ton such thing, lit would be most
unfair to accuse her of it, don't you
think, without being certain OF your
gTCund?"
Van Vert admitted that it would
Then, as a favor to me-" said his
fair rescuer. do not please say any.
thing about it, at least by way of con
recting her with the affair. I'm sur
no one would regret it more than sh
1t she knew about it."
After some hesitation Van Wer
promised, and presently his rescue
and her escort left him, branching
on trail that led toward a farmhous
that he could see in the distance.
The candidate noted with a grir
smile, on his return, the consternatio
his appearance created in a certai
part OF the room, and concluded tina
two or three men whom he knew to b
friends of his looked rather sheepish
but he kept his own counsel and mad
no reference to his adventure. In In
course of the excellent speech he pres
emily made he took back" what he ha
said about his opponent in a manner g
graceful as to win for him rounds O
applause, and when he sat down it wa
with the consciousness that he had in
part redeemed himself.
AS he started, along along with som
of the other candidates, to leave the
nall, he noticed for the first time tina
the young woman who had rescue
him from the fix in which the cow
boys had left him had not gone hom
to stay when she left him, for there she
was, just leaving the hall in company
with an older woman in Widows
weeds.
who is that" he asked of the cam
didate for sheriff, who was at his side.
THAT girl?" queried the o+her.
why, boy, that's your hated aaver-
sary, Miss Smith. Hadn't you seen
her before?"
But Van Wort did not hear the ques-
ton. He hurried to catch up with the
opposing candidate, who started when
he addressed her, but quickly recovered
recovered herself and smiled up
on him.
Miss Smith," he burst out impet-
uously, 81 don't know what you must
think of me, after all the low-down
things I've said about you and the
holy show I made of myself this even
ing. But I hope you'll believe me when
say I'm sorry for the things I've said
and | honestly hope you'll be elected,
after oil. I shall vote for you, any
way, and you can count on lots of my
But his boyish enthusiasm in behalf
Of his opponent came too late to be of
service to her, for the returns showed
hat Van Vert was elected by a small
for which he was indebted to
he miners. On Thursday after cleo
ion he went to Miss Smith.
81 regret this as much as you do" he
said, earnestly. 81 wish I he'd met you
-arlier in the campaign. But | have a.
to make. What are you
going to do now?'
II don't know" she said, trying to
conceal the sadness in her tones. You
see, had to give up my school, and
here are no vacancies now"
''Well, what l was going to propose
s tits: Will you take an appointment as
ny deputy? Remember, all the work
will devolve upon you"
Miss Smith gasped, and her pretty
ace grew rosy red, then turned pale.
She did not wish to be under obliga-
ions to this man-and yet, there was
he mother to be considered, and the
Invalid sister in Chicago whose hos
Dital bills were such a severe tax on
he family resources. Yes" she said,
finally, land thank you, very much, for
offering me the place. You have lifted
A great load from my mind"
There was some comment on this ar
by the voters Of the county,
but it was hardly adverse, and the
deputy soon showed that she was the
right one in the right place She work
ed day and night, and denied herslf
necessary sleep that her beloved schools
should not retrogade; in fact, in the
course of a few weeks she succeeded in
making herself almost i'll. for the death
IF the former superintendent had left
the affairs Of the office in rather chaotic
and although Van Vert and
his deputy qualified at once after the
meeting of the canvdssing board it was
almost Christmas before they got mat
ters Strengthened out
And it was just at this time when
the little deputy, more than half i'll
from overwork, was spending a couple
Of days at home that she got brief
note from her superior, which read:
Miss Smith: For some time past
have peen dissatisfied with you as
deputy superintendent of schools, and
your resignation as such will be accept
ed. I will do myself the honor of call
ing upon you and explaining matters
more fully tomorrow night. Very
truly yours, James Van Vert
Miss Smith burst irto tears Jus
to think, mamma! After l have worked
SO hard! what shall we do?"
81 suppose they want the job for
some politician that doesn't need it,
commented Mrs Smith grimly. Blu
to think he mas the audacity to come
here after that. I won't let him in
the treacnerous thing
you, after being so friendly, and all
that"
Eyes, you will man ma" INTERCEPTED
the girl, recovering herself. We mus
hot forget ourselves in our own home"
Just then the door bell rang. and the