Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-01
Continued

But Mrs. Gates repulsed him angrily
and drew her sobbing granddaughter
from the room.
Looking about him in bewilderment,
Bob's eye fell on Gladys triumphant
face
you devil" he exclaimed, This
Is your work! i"
Mr.. Blessing" shouted the fore
mans voice from the veranda, look
out for yourself. The men have
found out that Middleton didn't come.
They're after you to lynch you for
cheating them
Blessing was all activity in an in
slant
Snatching up a chair he dashed It
through the glass case that protected
the fire tools at one end of the room.
Wrenching the ruge red fire axe from
its socket he whirled it above his
head, and with blazing eyes turned TO
confront the threatening mob Of
grimy Iaborers that surged into the
room.
1T was all my fault Ora" con-
blamed Gramma Gates, as the old lady
and Ora stood in the dooryard Of their
cottage. hadn't oughter of let you
go to the hop
Don't say that Gramma," pleaded
The girl, forcing a laugh. I'VE had
good time, and now it's all over you
and me can settle down to life once
more"
Eyes" sighed gramma, land them
hopes Of fndin' your pa must be folded
ur and laid away like the pants of
some dear dead friend
Don't let's speak of those foolish
hopes, replied the girl gayly. What
do we care for society and relations?
We've got each other, and that's. all
the kin or social fun we want"
In the midst of laugh The girl
broke down. She buried her head in
her grandmother's lap and sobhed bit
terly.
Poor little child" comforted the
old woman. you're hearts breakin'
on account of that Disappointment,
in spite Of all your pretendin' to laugh
it off
"Oh. it isn't that. 1t isn't that"
sobbed Ora It's the way Bob de
ceived me about it all and his maxim
believe 10 love me When
when WHAT"
when he was keepin comp'ny with
that Miss Middleton all the time"
Both were too much engrossed to
notice Bill Loucks and Gladys, who
stood unobserved just outside the
gate
"TII keep them talking" whispered
Gladys, while you slip into the house
and get the album It's on the table.
She girl said. Meet me il the woods by
the river road when you've taken it..
and I'll pay you there We can burn
the photograph and letter out there
"Good-morning was her CHEEKY
greeting as she passed into the yard.
Ora dried her tears and came for
ward to greet her. Gramma Gates
walked away with an air of injured
dignity.
Poor girl" exclaimed Gladys
y
take Bob's cruel joke too much to
heart Won't you let me help you in
any way"
Yes Help me find my father
But he's probably dead. You said
your only proofs were that letter and
photograph Besides if your father
We're really alive and willing to &C
~,
ing produce him."
Mr. Blessing will answer that
question III person, said a deep voice
behind them The girls turned hasti-
IN to confront Bob Blessing.
Wait" be begged, as Ora started
10 so into the house. I demand
leave to explain l would have fol
lowed and tu'G ven everything last
night, but tina, I .a5 to stay and dis
pcrse that dtuvE.n mob Ora, last
night [ told YOU loved you and asked
YOU to be my Wife. My engagement
30 this woman pointing scornfully at
Gladys. was ended-ended because I
saw her true nature in time. ! kept
silence as to your fathers name. Ora,
because I hoped to give you I pleas
ant surprise But now it is time to
speak out"
I forbid you to utter that libel
broke in Gladys, furiously, but he went
90 unheeding:
Ora, your father is my partner,
Thomas Middleton. The telegram that
came last night was not from him. |
learned that this morning. 1t was a
forgery sent by Gladys!"
Il will not:stay here to be insulted
by you" cried Gladys. striding angrily
out Of the gate.
And you say she is my haIf-sister. -
asked Ora, gazing in wonder after the
retreating figure? | don't knows | am
so much better offn I was before. if
that's so"
And now all our misunderstanding
is wiped away" went on Bob, and
you love and trust me as you did?"
"Oh, ] do indeed" sighed the girl
her head on his breast.
I must go" he said a moment later
Middleton sent the money to pay the
men. 1t came last night I have it in
a belt around my waist I must ride
over to the aqueduct with it. This is
the day we dedicate the aqueduct, you
know; and want the men all paid Of
before the ceremonies begin. They're
in an ugly mood, for they've still got
the idea we're trying to cheat then
out Of their money Why. What:
&ha In