Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-01-30

1
paper. They did not hear Zephas till
he was quite near.
| Well he said. with an amused ex-
preston, as he sat down by Lzzie's
side, IF you amt both fgurin'! And
Lidy, saw your Uncle George sitting
in the barn door, and he was fgurin'
too! But he didn't have any 'rithme-
TIC"
Yes" said Ida with grave dignity,
my Uncle George figures a good deal.
He is building a new house, you know,
and he has to-
Il should think you'd rather read
some nice story" said Zephas to Liz
zie.
$50 would she said wistfully, IF
could only 90 both. But I always
did want to figure. 1t makes your
mind stronger"
Does it make you wash kettles any
| better, or make better johnny cake?
| asked Zephas with merry smile
yes, it does. 1t makes things seem
more important and worth while. But"
| despairingly, Il don't seem to make
any progress lately I've been on this
problem a week and it won't come
right"
''Pm afraid l can't help you" ne said,
as he moved himself closer to her,
and they looked over the work to-
gether. Suddenly they laughed out
merrily, as they both discovered the
mistake at the same instant
A sharp imperative cry of 'Lida!"
rang out, and the child said petulantly,
Il do wish grandma wouldn't call me
when am the happiest! She always
does!"
They watched the white dress and
hat slowly moving not the shortest
way homeward. After a little they
heard whistle, and Zephas peeped
out through the trees. Then he turned
to Lizzie and said, 81 guess George Lor-
ing is going to take Jennie Allen to
ride. I wish I could take you to ride,
LiZzie!"
A vision of the rides Lizzie had al
ways hitherto taken made vivid con-
with Zephas. When driven by George
Loring or his mother on some house
hold errand, she had shyly shrunk
back in her seat, i'll at ease, before
them, of her shy ways and faded, i'll
fitting dress. But for the first time
in her life's experience, here was one
person to whom these things made no
difference; by whose side she would
sit, not because of necessity, but
through his own choice.
Suddenly there began to be awaken
Cd in her a wild, worldly desire such
as she had never before known. She
would like to have a blue and white
shirt waist like Jennie Aliens. Plain
as she knew she was, she yet felt that
Zephas would be pleased at her added
Improvement. He evidently had no
idea how much better a woman looked
in fresh, wellfitting dress!
"Lizzie," said Zephas, gently, strok-
ing the callused thin hand, "some day
hope to save enough to make a first
payment on a little home of my own,
if the woman I want will be willing to
share poor home for loves sake Do
you think she will, Lizzie?'
FrLizzie's heart sank, but she an
swered bravely, 'Of course she will
Would you, yourself, do that for
any man."
eff l loved him"
Would you do it for me, Lizzie?''
Mrs. Loring and Ida, sitting on the
side piazza, saw George and Jennie,
in the formers smart new team, drive
up the street. George had on his
broadcloth suit, and Jennie wore a
beautiful white hat trimmed with
white chiffon, with roses at the back,
and also a fascinating little jacket
got in New York that spring. Their
faces were lit up with the indefnable
love-light of happy, care-free youth.
Jennie laughingly threw a kiss at the
two observers, as the spirited horse
dashed by
Mrs. Loring laid aside her religious
paper and took off her reading glasses.
How they love each other!" she ex-
claimed aloud. What a pity the we'd
ding had to be postponed because the
crops have turned out so bad!"
"Grandma,' said Ida, thoughtful
ly, watching man and woman slowly
coming across the field, don't you
! think Lizzie and Zephas think good
| deal of each other?"
Mrs. Loring looked on the Ito herr
uncouth man with the faded yellow
overalls and broken straw hat, and the
woman with the awkward gait and old
wrapper, then at the plain faces all
| aglow. "Nonsense!" she exclaimed, ir-
! ritatedly. Lizzie had better stay
where she belongs and not let Zephas
GLADDEN. make a TOOL of her!"
But for some reason the rest of the
day she occasionally found herself
| looking at Lizzie with cold, puzzled
| expression. Patient and submissive
as usual, Lizzie's whole expression and
attitude betokened the indefnable in
her in this new role. And when at
last Lizzie, with a mixture of timidity
and desperate determination, asked
her for fifty cents, Mrs. Lorings pa
thence was exhausted. well" she ex-
claimed, ''and what do you want now?'
81 did want shirt waist, Mis- Lor-
ing" said Lizzie, trembling between
hope and fear Il never had a shirt
waist and
Il am sure I have given you plenty
of waists Of my own to fix over for