Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-07-20


back and was only seeking for fitting
occasion to try which Of the two should
be mistress.
And the baronet had, Of course, pre-
viousIy assured himself that Clare
O'Gilvie had good seat and was &C
certain that whatever happened, and
even if it came to the worst, he and
she between them could perfectly well
manage Black Bess.
When they had proceeded two-thirds
of the way to Pevensky the wicked
mare took unreasonable offense at a
rather rough section of the road, and
then pretended to be frightened at
some cyclists who came whirling by in
cloud of glory and dust.
And suddenly, without the least
warning, she was up the bank on the
hedge, before Clare O'Gilyie (who was
day dreaming) had fairly realized her
position. However, she retained her
seat and her self possession, with a
firm grip of the reins.
His chestnut thoroughbred cleared
the bank and hedge like a bird and
went in hot pursuit after the two tru-
ants But the runaways had got a
capital start, and Black Bess seemed
resolved to keep it at all costs. The
style in which she cleared her fences,
without a check, gladdened the heart
Of he, +
Miss O'Gilvie was in no real danger,
devoutly hoped that the hunt might be
indefinitely prolonged.
Away they flew, the pursuer and the
pursued, mile after mile, the mare,
game as ever, still leading by several
lengths, but fate in the form Of a mas
ty stiff piece of plowed land now con-
fronted Black Bess. She stumbled,
made a desperate effort to recover her
self, but failed and fell.
Sir Marcus found Clare O'Gilvie
shaken good deal, bruised a little, but
frightened not in the least. And the
mare, fortunately, was not hurt, and
seemed too exhausted to bolt The
lady insisted pluckily on mounting
again and riding quietly home, but she
proved to have miscalculated her pow
ers and, in making the effort, tainted
away.
This gave the baronet his third OPP
portunity, and he proved himself a
man of many resources. And when
some hours later, they drove home
Il 30 Il
try fly, they appeared to be on the best
possible terms, and were even Though
somewhat diffidently) calling each
other by their Christian names.
Sir Marcus wisely refrained from
proposing yet-he had another and bet
the sum of $1,000, as we'll as a wife
was at stake.
Glare, dear" he murmured softly, in
her shyly averted, shell-like ear, after
breakfast next day, 'let me row you
out this afternoon, as the sea is like
glass, and it is too hot for anything
else
eff you wish, dear" she replied
blushing sweetly, but remember
cannot swim-in case of accident"
"a mishap is impossible in one OF
these tubs and on such smooth water. y
And so it was arranged, and another
trick devised, a little caddishly, at the
expense of poor Miss o Gllvie.
Lunch was over, and Burdekin, the
lady's maid proposed family, for pro-
o+yr,c NV hn1s r1oic+rnccl han
been rejected, and the offer of Thomas
G. Sharples to accompany them polite
ly declined, and they were fairly off.
Sir Marcus had cunningly loosened the
plug in the hold by which any sea
splashings were drained off on the re-
| turn of the boat, and as it was close tc
| his hand he felt master of the situation
and supremely happy.
"You must not go very far from the
shore, Marcus" sighed Glare, cas- ar
astrologer told me to beware of water
as I should meet my fate there"
Eve will keep as near as you choose
dearest" he replied, stealthily with
drawing the plug
Clare had shut her eyes conveniently
and drowsily whispered, 81 should love
! to float like this forever to the music
Of the waves"
mot alone, | hope?"
THAT depends on the company"
But if something went wrong, yol
would want a helper"
Nothing could go amis in such calm
|
man as you" And she laughed mer
rily, and then jumped up with a horri
fed start and cry, as the water rose il
the boat
Marcus dropped the SOULS and pu
his arm around poor Clare, who wa
now white with alarm. 'There is NJ
danger, darling. Don't cling to me
I will support you with one hand an,
swim ashore with the other" And S.
he did, cheerily.
Glare, my angel" pleaded Sir Mar
Gus, the same evening, 1--WE seem mean
for each other-will you marry me-"
She colored crimson, her eyes soft
ened, but she extended her hand reso
lutely to resist his near approach.
''You are too late, Sir Marcus" brok
in from the dusk the voice Of Thoma
G. Sharples Of Chicago; "and I CUES
) you're not smart enough for an Ameri
can-that's So Clare and I fixed tina
little job some hours ago, when sh
heard I'd bought up one Of your bank
: rupt dukes estates down Devonshire.
: The unlucky baronet was too stupe
fed to make any reply-he was S
: cocksure Of victory.