Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-14


my watch, land she's been out eve
since IL, lost beyond doubt an
wandering round in circles and / al
NIT I smiled, it seemed such poeti
| justice. But my merriment ceased
turning a bend I came upon lionel
little figure sitting at the foot OF
| tree She was laboring at the shoe /
her lap, and I saw little black stoct
inged foot peeping out beneath ne
skirt Such an advantage was not t
be lost, and 1 promptly stepped fol
ward. But dry twig snapped be
meath INV tread, she started and look
ed up and the little foot disappeared
her
"Can I be Of any asststance?'
80, no, thank you," she answered
carelessly; that isl she continued
as I turned away, this wretched hee
has come off, | sat down beside hel
at once, and in matter of fact
brotherly sort of fashion took the
little shoe and turned it over in my
hand.
''Hairpins, my dear girl" I said
glancing at the twisted remains OF
the one she held though a wonder
full tool in the hands of a woman, are
not of much use in an emergency OF
this Sort and I smiled indulgently.
But what am 1 to do? I can't
walk without a heel
Then I'm afraid | must knock off
the other. Permit me-" and I stopped
| to unfasten it.
Justina demurred strongly. I point
| ed out with unerring force and logic
that it was impossible to fix a heel
with a hairpin and an ordinary
| pocketknife. Whereat she presently
yielded up the other shoe, and with
heroic calmness watched me try to
pry off the other heel, which l furtive-
ly dropped into my pocket with the
other.
Now I said, "allow me to replace
your shoes"
Justina was all Indignation i'll a mo-
ment.
Every good,' l said, slipping them
into my pocket after the heels, eff
you don't mind waiting an hour or
two I'll hunt around and have them
properly mended, though I fancy you
could walk in them-if you tried.
81 think you are horribly meant"
she exclaimed angrily.
| agreed that meanness was I'LL
doubtedly one of my chief character
istics, venturing at the same time to
touch her ankle Seeing that it was
not withdrawn, l slowly fitted on the
shoes and felt distinctly sorry when
she arose.
Excuse me- I said, "but I fancy
the buckle of your left shoe is loose.
I've no wish to detain you, of course,
but if you choose to let me take it off
away Indignantly and hurried down.
the path. | followed.
do you know" I said, after we mad
walked half mile without exchang-
ing a word, ''do you know, I begin to
think you are angry. Is anything
worrying your"
$50 you didn't go to the Philippines
after, all?' she said, without looking
up or noticing my question.
"Well, no; l diun't," I replied try
ing to see her eyes.
and why
well, you see, the Philippines are
such a conlounded distance away, and
l thought if ever you did happen to
avail yourself of the privilege of your
sex and change your mind
II shall never do that" she broke
in.
Then, of course, there is no more
to be- said,'' answered stif1y.
do you know | think you are aw-
fully ridiculous" she said, which re-
mark I thought entirely uncalled fol-.
Thus it was in the deepest of deep
silences that we at length reached
the clearing. Remembering an "hon-
est yOkel's'' lucid directions, | turned
unhesitatingly to the right. Present
ly. sure enough, creek came in view.
Justina came to sudden stop and
gave little exclamation.
Its only the CREEK I said reas-
suringly.
Eyes, but how horribly broad.
How ever am to get across? Surely
there must be another way?''
"Certainly,' I replied cheerfully, cit
you care to walk another-er-two or
three miles,
Justinia looked at me in despera
ton. -ut how ever am l to cross {?
1t may be awfully Deep
eyes, of course / said readily.
'Then what is to be done? I can't
walk another mile in these Shoes y
she said wistfully.
''You might try swimming it, I
suggested.
Kindly talk reason, Mr.. Hermis-
ton"
"Certainly'' I replied; then as far
as I can see-er-there is only one
way left"
"And that?'' she inquired, with a
swift side glance.
"Why-I shall have to carry you
over"
She declared it was ridiculous.
Every good,'' said, then I must
try and find another honest voEo,