Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-12-12

| Not so, however On the contrary
she ceased I = make excuses for re
naming on
John never knew how it happened
/ but another boating trip was arrang
! ed. This time he asked her why sh,
always wore such II, < black ven
He thought lie We, IL TO see he,
face.
! All, young ms- she answered
sadly, the lines about my poor
withered old countenance would make
you wish you had never brought ms
here. And it is so p1easant-so. sc
pleasant"
Your voice is not old" he sug
gested.
20, isn't it," she replied, queerly
"It ought to be-
mo, it's rather young. That is
why l thought 1 should like to see
your face more plainly"
Next evening they went again. AID
she led him on to talk of DoIlie. This
suited John perfectly. He had grown
tired Of breathing her name and hel
sweetness to the roses.
What nice motherly interest you
seem to take in her." he remarked.
do I?'' she said, quizzically. Are
you much ir Iove?"
''Madly!''
How charming! And she loves
your"
Il canont say. l dared not tell her
Of my passion, for she is rich and
am poor. My play-when it i
finished will give her to me. But
then, it can ever be finished while you
stay here"
Miss Norman actually giggled
How naughty I am" she muir.
INJURED. Il suppose I shall really have
to run away. You have been Idle
three whole weeks, haven't you? AND
how much better you look for the
holiday! You must return a vote IF
thanks to my menagerie, Mr. Mercer
or I shall feel disappointed in you"
He said 30. hang it," under his
breath.
Somehow, without intending to be.
she was awkward that evening in
landing; so awkward, in fact. that she
fell into the river. John dived in an6
brought her out safely He laid hel
carefully on the ground before he haG
time to notice that the water had
washed away her veil, and also her
gray curly wig!
John was a strong man-plently OF
grip and nerve and muscle; but some
how this experience knocked every,
thing out of him.
The elderly spinster with the cats
and dogs-his evil genius-the nice
old lady who took mother interest in
Dollie-was Dollie!
: 'EHeavens!" was all she managed &c
get out. for Dollie opened her eyes
''Am l dead?" she asked,
miserably. 90, John. take me 20 the
cottage. l feel 50 cold and shaken!
I thought was dead"
I In silence the wet man carried his
wet burden to Mrs. Higgins.
when you have been properly at
tended to, shall return to know the
meaning Of this masquerading." he
said, severely.
Two Of DGllie's black cats were on
his desk as usual He did not seize
them and throw them over the wall
He gave them pint of milk between
them and laughted heartily when the
two little wretches fought for the
cream which was on the top. Any
way. he thought they were fighting
for it. He did not know where Dollil
had got her cats. but he would like tc
punch the man who said they were
not clever.
Later in the evening Dollie il
cross. She had done it all for his OWE
good.
Dear old silly" she said sweetly
| 'YCu went away without telling ms
you loved me, but I knew it because
love you. Well, John. you were over
! worked when you left town. and you
! came here to kill yourself altogether
Now, I can't spare you, so | made VI
my mind that you were to have {
holiday"
Indeed! How the deuce did you
think it all out?''
20, it was perfectly easy, John.
knew you could not work if there was
the least noise, therefore I just pro
vided a little. 1t acted like magic
You did everything l knew you would
But, o, John, fancy taking an elderly
spinster on the river. You wicked
wicked fiirt!"
John volleyed forth a hundred and
fifty questions. Dollie would answer
none o. them The only thing she
condescended to explain was the fact
that Mrs. Higgins had been her nurse
she easily persuaded her people to let
her run down into the country.
you've had your holiday, John, D
she concluded. Thanks to my
menagerie- l may tell you, dear, thar
I do not mind marrying a man who
writes plays; but I draw the line at a
cadaverous, lantern-jawed specimen
You look as fat as can be now; and
whatever you may think to the con
trary, I consider my plan has turned
out 2 brilliant success"
John kissed her.
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