Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-22
Romance Of a Blizzard.
By VELMA CALDWELL MELVILLE.

him
That amt it, Lester; he amt such
a bad fellow now, only he's beat me in
one thing and it's my turn now. What
honor was there in his running against
me-the father of the girl he was eX-
pecting to marry, running to beat, too?
Tell me that if you can. You see, it
wasn't fair anyhow. He knew l should
receive the nomination on our ticket;
but he made excuse that, as their con-
vention came off first, it was all right
for him to accept on the other ticket;
and then claimed that he was in duty
bound to make the best canvass pos
sible Well, it's over now and he has
the Office and l have the girl. Seer'
Ard Mr.. Kingsman rubbed his glOved
hands gleefully and triumphantly to-
gether.
But you can't do it, Kingsman.
Young folks are not so different now
from what they were when we were
young. When l was counting Lou
paternal opposition would have only
whetted my zeal; the same in your
case, no doubt. But owe you a debt
of gratitude and if 1 can serve you at
this time by extending our rude hos
pitality to your daughter, l am, as l
said in my letter, only to glad of the
chance. She's pretty safe from him
here
And you will send me all CORES
pondence-in case there is any. Don t
be squeamish-all's fair in love and
politics. He's had his innings; now
it's my turn
L hate to NEEDLE with letters, but
since l am pledged to help you, l sup
pose l must obey orders. | hope he
won't get track of her"
Il don't think she really cares f.
him anyway" Kingsman went ON, with
out needing his companions remark.
Its only a girGsh fancy, but Crete is
a sensible girl and | am delighted to
leave her in such good spirits. Indeed
the Honorable will find out that there
are two of us in the game and that
the game amt played out yet" The
gentleman was speaking more pro-
phetically than he knew.
The Lester home was an unpre-
tending one four miles from the station
and six miles from other neighbors-
way out on the prairie" The family
consisted of Mr.. and Mrs Lester, the
latter's aged parents and an adopted
chjld-nOt exactly the place a pretty
young society girl would choose to
spend the winter months; but the truth
was Crete had been deceived. Worn
out with hearing her father storm
about her lover and seeing no other
way to pacify him, she had consented,
one evening, to obey him and go to
the Testers for the winter" He rep
resented the place as "a charming
rural home near the town" EARLY the
following morning he had announced
| that they would start on the noon train
and start they did, without a word OF
GCod-by or explanation to any one. II
was just when picking up to go that
| she accidentally came across a letter
from MIR. Lester, and seeing her own
meme, read it through, Here was a
revelation, but shutting her lips tightly
she made no sign.
1t was a beautiful lay some three
weeks later. The air was balmy, nc
| sunlight dazzling and the sleighire
simply perfect. After dinner Mrs. Los
| ter asked Crete to go with her to the
station-she wanted some calicoes; and
soon they were skimming along after
Gen. Custer, Mrs. Testers high spirited
pony.
S'pQse you'll have to keep an eye
| on her, Mr., Lester had said to his wife
though be blamed II / understand
! .ner Indifference. She don't act as il
she knew there is world outside
Maybe she wasn't so set Gil McKendrie
as her father thought. He is politics
crazy any how. Don't ask her in time
for her to write a letter."
"She does not seem given to lette,
writing; has not had one mailed since
she's been here"
Queer
Crete seemed to enjoy the ride, but
showed no desire to escape the eye OF
her keeper, as she mentally STYLED her
hostess. After the shopping they called
on an acquaintance Of Mrs. Testers,
staying longer than they intended
When they came to start the beauty of
the day was dead. Crete could see the
grayness and feel the change in the air,
but did not in the least comprehend
Mrs. Testers uneasiness.
1T looks like a blizzardr' the latter
said, giving Custer free rein. "See the
air is full Of snow"
But it can't amount to anything be-
fore we get home" Crete answered in
differently, as she settled herself to en-
joy the ride.
Little she knows Of a western biz
Yard" was what Mrs. Lester said to
herself, but to Crete she remarked:
Gen. Custer can outrun a blizzard. -
In fifteen minutes the wind was
blowing fiercely and the snow drifting
in binding sheets before them, but
the noble horse never faltered and his
driver held firm rein Another fiji
teen minutes and Crete, despite her fur
circle and the warm robes, was SILVER
ing with cold and fright She has read
of such storms but never seen any
thing like it. Neither women spoke
now. Five minutes more perhaps and
Mrs. Testers cold fingers lost their
grasp On the reins and a groan es-
capped her lips, unheard, however,
amid the awful beating of the millions