Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-04-17

LOST RIVER.

By joseph Arthur.

I toward the door There, framed by
| the threshold, and against a back
ground of forest and river, he beheld
the loyeliest picture his eyes hat
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. bright
smile lighted up her face.
oh" she exclaimed. Here al
ready? I remember you sent a 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 Iod.
Bob fastened to cover his en-
barrassment by saying:
"And this is her brother, Mr.. Claude
Middleton"
Buster" corrected the lad Don't
go queering me with Miss Jones by
calling me by Iny own ridiculous
name. Miss Jones, let me introduce
myself [ am Buster Middleton, very
much at your service. I beg you
won't look down on me just because
l wear store clothes. I'm not half a
bad fellow I was half-back on last
years football team, and l took a
course in boxing with Kid Mccoy,
besides, Doesn't that make me more
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"
oh" sighed Ora in admiration.
$50 you're 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
vegetables.
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
preston that would have made Gladys
still less kindly disposed toward Ora
could she have seen it.
Say" remarked, ''Gramma' as soon
as they were alone, you're from New
York and l want to ask a 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 l understood
she was an orphan"
She's worse than an orphan. No.
her fathers alive. The scoundrel!"
What do you mean?"
ooh. it's no secret hereabouts If l
Cont tell you, there's those that will
l. was this way: My daughter went to
4 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
pinned 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 glanced idly at the
photograph as the old woman opened
the album. Then he looked again,
and his ruddy face paled.
Great Heaven" he gasped.