Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-28

for her, but there was no room for an
other; the inner sanctuary was oc-
cupied and no one else ever would be
admitted.
"Marie!" called her mother from the
hallway, where she stood talking with
neighbor, Mrs. Bates has another
Of her bad spells with her heart and
wants you to come over for awhile.
guess you would better go; I can
manage"
Yes, mother" answered Marie, put
ting down the eggs she was beating
for a custard and taking off the big
Bingham apron. 81 will come in a
minute
All the way to the Bates homestead
Marie thanked a kind Providence for
the break in the long, trying afternoon,
even though Auntie Bates had to sur-
fer for it.
The new moon stood like sword on
the crest of the dark woods as the
girl opened the hall door at home, and
looked back at 1t over her right shout
der for luck.
Il am glad this day is done, at any
rate" she said, turning the key in its
| place. The old-fashioned clock struck
ten as Marie came into the sitting
room.
Pussy Muggins stretched her two
white feet across the one faint ray OF
| the setting moon ON the window seat
and meowed soft rhythmic welcome
to her mistress.
I've notion to be cross" cogitated
Marie; "but there's no one to be cross
to they've all gone to bed, haven't
they?" smoothing Muggins' furry coat.
Going over to the mantel she CROPPED
along its length for the matches. Fin
ally she struck light.
There in corner stood a cornet, a
bright silver instrument, with band
book beside it and some other par
aphernalia of the profession Curiously
she went over to the shining object,
lamp in hand, and Muggins Joined the
inspecting party with important air.
On the back of the band book she read:
-. H. Merrill, 1st cornet, Union City
band"
Well, what of it? 1t was nothing to
her whether j. H. Merrill was first, or
second cornet, or whether he played
with the Union City band or not. She
doubtless would hear him discourse to-
morrow that would be sufficient.
Muggins purred an assent, and went
back to her favorite window-seat, and
Marie yawned and went slowly up
stairs to bed.
Marie" said her mother the next
morning, as they were busy preparing
the early breakfast, your father has
fairly fallen in love with that young
cornet player; he was a soldier in
| Cuba, you know; and l think myself
he is the incest looking fellow l ever
saw"
Marie groaned in establishment; then
a spirit mischief flashed from her
eyes.
1T may be that Cupid has indeed
folded his wings over the Sweetlands
and it may be he, the cornetst, will
fall in love with me. I move you,
mother, that you invite him to spend
the remainder of the summer with us
and thus checkmate our bonnie Harvey
| Nellis."
This outburst was not like Marie.
What had come over her? Mrs Sweet
lands paused over the mullins she was
| filling to think.
Why, my daughter" she said, in
deprecating way, IF you cannot
care for Harvey, there's an end of it.
no matter if father and I do like him
The revulsion of feeling in Marie's
| bosom was wonderful. eff she could
not care Well, she never could.
The circumscribed horizon widened
and lost itself in the valley of rest.
'Mother!" she sobbed. Il am awful
ly thankful to get rid of Harvey Nellis
without disappointing you" Then she
slipped away to the front parlor to
have little happy cry and rest her
nerves.
The vision of No. 20 wreathed itself
in a blessed halo over the restful val
ley. Was it because this anniversary
Of the Declaration of independence
had brought to her a double anniver-
sary blessed in its unhampered de-
cision?
1t might be, she felt as free as the
mocking bird singing out there in the
peach tree. free from the curse of at
tention thrust upon her. She rested
her head against the sash and smiled
out on the dewy lawn.
There, at the corner of the portico.
foated the blessed old stars and stripes
and by its side futtered a Cuban flag,
Well, it was liberty all the way
through. She closed her shining
eyes to think; the flags floated side
by side near Santiago last Fourth. |
The noise of battle was again in her
ears, the wounded were borne past, |
the surgeons went by, and the sup
pressed groans Of brave men came |
back; but through it all came a plead |
ing information: Pray that l may live |
for mothers sake."
Cornet player No. 1, who had risen |
with the dawn, was now returning |
fro21 walk in the orchard, and as lie /