Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-08
Rhoda laughed at the idea of Poll

Mtdullue Odm was making MS wal
towards the Castle hill, revolving Lot
ties ominous words in his mind, anG
oppressed with vague fear that Mary
was lost to him forever.
\ From the hill lovely views of the
Clyde and its extensive basin are tc
be had, but Sam had no eye for them
He was in fever of unrest, and his
only wish was to see Mary, and pu;
an end to his suspense.
1t very soon became evident that she
. was not on the hill, and he turned his
steps in the direction of the Clocn
lighthouse.
i When within about half a mile OF
it he suddenly found himself face to
face with Mary, who was accompanied
by young man he had never seen in
his life before.
Mary looked little troubled and
embarrassed, ana Sam stood looking al
her in silence, uncertain, bewildered.
unnerved.
Mary was the first to recover her
self.
How do you do, Mr.. Forbes? I'm
very glad to see you,'' she SAID, col
oring family, and holding out her hand
to him frankly. ALLOW me to intro
| duce you to Mr.. Henderson,
Sam glared fercely at the young
man, muttered some inarticulate greet
ing, and turned his attention to Mary.
| Mr. Henderson, whose acquaintance
Mary had made since she came to Dun
Don, was tall square-shouldered
| deep-chested young man of six or sew
en-and-twenty, but so symmetrical and
light in his movements that his size
scarcely struck one at first. His fea-
lures were rather comely, the brow
| full, the eyes wide apart and deep
| seated, the mouth and chin lacking in
! firmness, and the whole lighted up by
an eye of great beauty. It was a face
more indicative of weakness than Of
power, but one such as many women
fall instantly in love with. In other
words, he was essentially a womans
| man.
| The trio walked on together towards
| Dunoon, Mr.. Henderson, who had
promised to dine at Heath cottage, and
was desperately in love with Mary,
| feeling aggrieved at Sans intrusion,
and Sam in turn regarding him as the
third wheel of the cart
Il called at Heath cottage, and had
| a chat with your father" said Sam sig
nificantly. ''Lottie told me you had
gone for a walk and that I should be
likely to meet you if came in this di-
rection."
Mary flushed guiltily. Had Lottie
told him that she left the house On
learning of his arrival, she wondered?
A general feeling of uneasiness
seemed to take possession Of the trio,
and all looked immensely relieved
when Polls little brother, Jim, came
upon the scene. Jim was hunchback.
the deformity being due to fall in his
baby days, and a oark-eyed, bright
faced, intelligent child. He adored
Sam on whose shoulder he was imme-
diately perched, and by his precocious
prattle he soon relieved the unnatural
tension of the situation.
you promised to take me boating
Don, SAM" said Jim.
did l, mate?" asked Sam.
Now, you know you did, said Jim,
pulling his ear. Poll heard you;
diun't you, Poll?"
"Mr. Forbes doesn't want to be both
cred with a little chatterboX like you
when he goes boating" said Mary.
oil
scornfully. you're only a girl, and
girls think everybody chatterboxes ex-
cert themselves.
Would you mind coming out with
me, Jim?" asked Mr.. Henderson.
Jim eyed him suspiciously.
Il promised to go with SAM" he said
evasively.
You're staunch and true, Jim,' saio
Sam. You'll stick to your OH
friends"
Polly's face famed at the caustic re-
mark.
Zone may make new friends without
proving false to the old Ones" said Mr..
Henderson with an air Of superior wis
dom.
"One can always make fair weather
friends" said Sam, bluntly.
Then Jim put in his oar again, and
ratified on till Heath cottage was
reached
Mr.. Dawson caught Polly alone for
moment.
We'll, young lady," he said with a
humorous twinkle in his eye, you are
booked at last"
"Booked?" she SAID, with fine as
sumption of a puzzled air. Where
TOP
ITO that Ell Dorado of your sex-the
glded city of natrimony," be an
| swered.
you always were fond Of teasing
me, father" she said, looking just
trife conscious.
1T is no teasing matter, 1 assure
you," he said. Sam Forbes has just
asked my permission to marry you
sOh, indeed" she said, with an in
scrutable look in her dark eyes. L
suppose he didn't think it necessary
to ask mine?"
Mr.. Dawson laughed, and rubbed his
hands briskly.
ooh, Sam considers himself quite
sure of yours" he said.
/ WHAT" cried Poll Indignantly.
Il told him. said Mr.. Dawson, that
didn't think you would have him, but
he only smiled knowingly, and an
swered: oh, yes, she will
Polls face hardened and her eyes be-
came two points Of fame.