Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-10

to me-"
We'll, you cannot have it for any
such price"
Turning to the young girl ne said:
Il VIII give you $50 for it, and t,k-
ing his purse from his pocket, he
suited the action to the word
Lifting up pair of tear-laden,
brown eyes to his face, she said:
"Are you in the hair business, too?"
For the present, yes" he replied.
Shall l go to your store and have it
cut now?"
Not tonight, but give me your
name and address and will call or
send for it when I want it."
She wrote on slip OF paper the
name, Grace Thorne," and an ad-
dress in a suburban town, then has
tily twisting up her hair, passed from
the store. Ralph Alden recrossed the
glove counter for his change and par
eel. AS she handed them to him the
saleslady said:
Mr.. Alden, have been an interest
ed witness to your act of kindness and
I want to tell you that it has not been
misplaced: l am acquainted with the
circumstances of the young lady you
have just befriended. Her father was
schoOlteacher in the town where she
lives. He died three years ago and
since then she has eked out the small
income he left for an invalid wife and
herself by taking pupils at home Six
weeks ago her mother died and ! inn
aglne 1t is to help her meet the ex
penses incurred at that time that she
has sold her hair
Thank YOU" he replied. 81 was
sure there could be no deception in
that voice.
When he reached his place of bust
ness the next morning the office boy
said:
"a young lady has already called in
answer to your advertisement for an
assistant bookkeeper and is waiting
in your private office"
All right" he replied, and passed
on. AS he opened the door he saw
| slender, black-robed figure seated at
one of the windows and then his I'VE
caught the CLINT of golden brown hair.
| The young girl rose and asked:
care you Mr.. Alp" then recog-
nizing her benefactor of the previous
evening, she sank back with a smotn-
cred col"
! YES" he answered, cheerily. "T am
Mr.. Alden, and you have called in an
swer to my advertisements"
Eyes, but l thought"
"You thought 1 was in the hair busl-
ness" he smilingly said.
Eyes, SIR
well, was last evening, you know,
but Chis morning I have returned to
my regular work.
''Then you gave me the money last
night?"
mo, indeed, 1 did not. I bought
your hair
"But you do not want it,"
mot just at present, perhaps, but
| may some time
ooh, but cannot" And she start
ed to rise from her chair.
| "Please be seated" he interrupted,
''and listen to me. 1t Is not mucn
! good that I have done in the world,
and have been happy thinking of the
| little help I was prompted to render
you. The saleslady of whom | had
purchased gloves knew you by sight
| and told me some of your history
| Now, if you can assure me that you
understand bookkeeping, 1 shall en-
gage you without further question.
and if you wish to buy back your hair
you can pay me the fifty dollars at
| your own convenience"
After moments pause she repliet:
"Mr. Alden, accept your generous
offer, and from the depths of my
| heart I thank you"
While the weeks and the months
! passed away Ralph Alden studied the
character of his assistant bookkeeper
until he became conscious that his
interest had deepened into love, Jut
he had little hope that. she felt more
than frindly regard for him. She
entered his private Office one morning
and said:
"Mr. Alden, have come to tell you
IAoI GILL lcduy W pay you LuS S0D
you so generously loaned me nine
months ago."
"But, suppose l were to claim the
hair?"
IT should keep the contract and
have it cut at once"
Grace, darling, l want more than
the contract calls for, nothing less
than the dear little woman whom The
hair so gloriously crowns. Can you
learn to care for me enough to be-
come my wife some day."
Learn to care for you, Mr.. Alden,
1 have loved you for nine months"
Then, darling, 1 claim my own"
"And the $50?"
Keep it toward the trousseau that
you must promise to prepare very
soon"