Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-29
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GO
ess or retired shop keepers daugh-
ter, it can matter to no one but myself
if I really love her"
The mother recommended her hyster-
| ical cries. The cousin, fair, pretty
young girl about his own age, went to
him and rested her hand on his Shout
der.
Teddy, say no more now, but come
with me. Let us think the matter
over calmly"
The next evening GWendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove to
the theater where Madge Baptiste
danced nightly.
It was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card, telling the commits
sionaire that her business was urgent
He returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
for a few minutes. Then she found
herself in small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds of soft, silken petit
coats lay her and there. A large jar
of flowers stood on the mantelpiece,
and the dressing table was covered
with silver powder boxes, scent-bottles,
and "make-up' utensils. Photographs
of actors, painters and poets stood in
every available corner; old programs
in wooden frames and one or two etch-
ings hung on the walls.
Before a large mirror stood Miss
Madge Baptiste arranging her hair.
"Ah, come in, Miss-Harper. Ex-
cuse the untidy state of the room I.
think you'll find a chair Let me see,
I don't think I have met you before
perhaps you are journalist, Or"
mo, | haven't ever met you before,
stammered Gwendoline; 81 camel
came-I think you know my cousin,
Mr.. Langley" She felt her face grow
ing red. She did not know why she
blushed, but this yivacious beautiful
girl frightened her. She had expected
to find such a different Woman-a vuI-
gar, ill-bred woman.
''Mr. Langley? Teddy! Oh, yes,
know him we'll. So you are his cousin?
Pleased to meet you-he is not i'll, I |
hope?"
mo, he is not ILL.,"
ooh, that's all right Ted and [ are
fond of each other, you know; in fact, |
We think of getting married soon-at
least, he thinks Of it. | didn't know
he had a cousin. such a pretty cousin, |
tool" with laugh; che kept that |
secret
Il really came to speak about it
about this MARRIAGE said Gwendoline, |
neryously. You know his people,
Obi" Madge Baptiste turned sharp
ly from regarding herself in the mirror. |
"Oh, | understand! They have heard |
perhaps he told them; he said he
should. They Object-ah? And your"
She drew chair opposite the girl, and
rested her arms on her knees with her
face between her hands.
Il am only his cousin-we have been
thums always. | said I would see you
and tell you that his father and moth
er are angry; that he was merely a boy
and"
Yes, yes-I knoW-don't go on"
She looked Gwendoline up and down. !
She saw her youth; she guessed the |
real reason Of her visit.
Ted is a boy in years, [ know, but
he is a man for all that. He is 22 and |
am %. Besides, I am only dancer, |
and he is Col. Langley's son. Please |
understand | haye-no-wish to-mar-
ry him-if his parents object. [ will |
tell him he must go away and not see
me again. | shall miss him a. first, |
expect. A dancers life is lonely |
one, you know. She has so few
friends, and unless she-Ah, there is |
the call boy. Well, good-by-and if |
| don't see-Teddy- again, say good-by |
to him for me-
But Miss Harper had risen, and was
holding Madge Baptiste's hands in
hers, while two tears ran down ner
cheeks.
ooh, don't, please. How cruel you
must think me. I didn't mean to-
really didn't. But his mother was so
unhappy, and I thought you were al
mean, didn't dream you really cared
for him. He shall marry you, II
know he loves you-," and then she
burst out crying.
"Miss Baptiste! Curtains waiting,
Hurry up!" yelled small youth at the
door,
Let it wait; can't comet" replied
the dancer, curtly. Then, in a soft,
gentle voice to Gwendoline: Don't
cry, dear, you have been ever so kind
l know you meant we'll by coming.
But don't think l had better see him
again; you'll make a much better wife
than /" There was a suspicious
break in her voice.
mo, no." said Gwendoline, between
her sobs, blushing violently; Il never
thought of that only care for him
as a sister, but as she said it she real
lied that she lied.
lone, dry your eyes-why I'm be-
ginning now! What a pretty pair we
are! Poor Ted! Why, here are two
nice girls, each trying to make the 9TH
er marry him"
"You-you-wiIl marry him. Prom
Use. l shall never forgive myself if
you don't. | did not know YOU were
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