Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-04-17
By Joseph Arthur.

How dared you bring me to a place
like this?" cried the girl, stamping
her foot.
What's the matter with the place o.
asked Bob in surprise. "Ah." he
broke off. glancing out of the door
There comes Ora"
"Ora?"
yes. The Madonna in the Sun
bonnet told you about"
As he spoke Bob Blessing turned
toward the door There, framed by
the threshold, and against a back
ground of forest and river, he beheld
the loveliest picture his eyes had
ever rested on.
The newcomer was tall, slender
graceful; about her chung the wild,
sweet atmosphere of the woodland
From beneath her sunbonnet she
scanned the, guests with big, wonder
ing eyes, like a startled fawn.
Then as she saw Blessing, a bright
smile lighted up her face.
oh" she exclaimed. Here IL
ready? | remember you sent mes
sage over sayin' you all was comm
/ to dinner. I'll hurry up and get it
ready"
This is Miss Gladys Middleton
Miss Jones'" said Bob.
Hello! Pleased to meet you"
was the hostess's cherry greeting, as
with outstretched hands she advanced
on Gladys.
But the city girl turned away with
a curt rod.
Bob fastened to cover his en-
barrassment by saying:
and this is her brother. Mr.. Claude
Middleton"
'Busterl" corrected the lad. Don't
go queering me with Miss Jones by
calling me by my own ridiculous
name. Miss Jones, let me introduce
myself. | am Buster Middleton, very
much at your service. beg you
won't look down on me just because
| wear store clothes. I'm not half a
bad fellow. | was half-back on last
years football team. and | took a
course in boxing with Kid Mccoy,
human and interesting in your eyes -
The girl laughed in a puzzled way
and turned to the groom, Pickles, who
still stood at the door.
How do you do?"-she began,
when Gladys cut in:
That is my groom"
"Chl" sighed Ora in admiration
so yours a bride, are you? Bride
and groom Why!'---
Since we must stay here" inter
rupted Gladys. 81 would like to- lie
down until dinner is ready The ride
has tired me.
Ora showed her to the guest room,
opening out of the large apartment
where they had been talking.
AS she returned an old woman, with
bent figure and shrivelled. humorous
face. came in, carrying an armful Of
This is Gramma,' introduced Ora.
The old woman was at first inclined
to Stiffness toward the guests. But
under the influence of the young
mems jolly friendliness she soon
thawed out.
Ora and Buster went out at last to
gather kindling wood for the kitchen
fire. and "Gramma" was left alone
with Bob
Blessing looked after the receding
figure of the country girl with an ex-l
preston that would have made Gladys
still less kindly disposed toward Ora
could she have seen it.
Say" remarked, "Gramma" as soon
rs they We're alone, you're from New
York and | want to ask question.
Do you know a fellow named Jones
that lives there?"
Jones? Several"
The one | mean is Thomas Jones, |
Ora's father
"ora's father, Why understood !
she was an orphan
she's worse than an orphan. No. |
her fathers alive. The scoundrel!"
What do you mean?"
'Oh, it's no secret hereabouts II | |
cont tell you, there's those that will |
! was iilS way NY udueIlNtF went 10 !
Z hop at the hotel up yonder in the !
village, once. about twenty-five years |
ago. There she met this New York |
chap, Thomas Jones. They fell in |
love and he married her in secret so !
as not to offend his rich father, he !
said Then he deserted her and she |
pined away and died Died when my |
little grandchild Ora. wasn't but
week old. I've been tryin' to find |
that Jones party ever since.
Have you no clue"
None; None. that is. except this
picture of him here in the family
album"
Bob Blessing CLAN ed idly at inc
photograph as ths id woman opened |
the album. Then he looked again. |
and his wddy face paled.
Great Heaven he sasped.
CHAPTER II.
The Mystery.
Whose picture did you say this
was?" faltered Blessing.