Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-05

allowed him to lead the way to the
spot where, hidden behind the bushes
| she had first seen him.
DO you know why I Lave brought
you here, Miss Carruthers?" he asked
presently.
Hattie shook her head and showed
great interest in the position of a
poppy in her bouquet.
1t was on this spot, a week ago
that Jim promised me an introduction
10 you"
And you've heard nothing but Hat
tie this and Hattie that for the whole
week." she added plaintively.
Jack looked puzzled. 80 it's to
dear old jim" he continued, that !
owe the greatest happiness I've ever
experienced"
Indeed" she said demurely. 81
thought you owed it to the fall of a
penny. All! you needn't look so as
tonished. I heard every word. Heads
for Hattie-tails, Trouville," I didn't
mean to listen. l was stealing behind
these bushes to throw pebbles at Jim's
straw hat; only when I heard you say
such hCrrid things about school-girls
| and hoydens I changed my MIND, and
l was afraid to move if by chance you
might hear me-"
What a COMPOUNDED prig you must
have thought me! l hadn't seen you
then, and 1 was teasing Jim. Miss
Carruthers, do forgive me. I'd no idea
when l used to laugh at dear old Jim
for being in love how soon mo, dom t
turn away your head. You must know
that I love you better than anything
on earth-that I've loved you from the
moment | first saw you"
The girls heart beat wildly.
ooh, dear! ''she said, we really
are not doing our duty by the Others.
Who ever heard of 'gooseberries' going
off and-and behaving worse than the
others?" And she began to laugh, al
though She felt more like crying.
"You have not answered me, dear-
est he said, firmly.
II think" faltered the girl, turning
away her head and speaking over her
shoulder, 'I think I'll refer it to her
most gracious majesty the queen for
her decision. That is to say, spin the
penny"
Don't punish my thoughtless folly
so cruelty, Hattie. l want you to
answer me-not a penny
But Little was not to be moved by
entreaties, She produced a penny
from her pocket and balanced it
daintily on her thumbnail
Heads for Hattie, tails, Trouville!"
she said. her eyes dancing with mis-
chief
Don't torture me like this" pleaded
Jack.
One, two, three-go!" and with
a businesslike flip she sent the coin
spinning upward.
Jack held his breath as he watched
it, but she did not catch it deity, and,
slipping through her trembling fingers
it trundled merrily down the slope to
the river.
"Take care cried Hattie, you'll
fall in" But Jack was too busy peer
in" into the shallow water to hear
''Hattie!'' he shouted presently.
"You mustn't call me Hattie
But may, | may! It's here in the
stream. l can see it quite plainly, and
it's heads
Dearest" said Jack anxiously, come
moments later, when the ACCESSIBILITY
Of looking for the others had been
urged for the tenth time by Hattie,
you were only teasing me by spinning
that penny. 1t had nothing to do with
your answer, had it?'
Indeed it had-everything! re-
piled promptly.
and if it had not turned up heads
you would have refused me?'
Certainly"
"Then you can't care for me-" he
said, in a panied voice
Hattie gave his arm a little squeeze.
Il felt very SAFE" she said, because
it's a trick penny my cousin gave me,
and both sides are alike-heads! >
Forget-Me-Not.