Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-16

ping?" he inquired, smiling, though
his voice had curious sharp ring
ooh, Of course not. I never was
there. My music teacher gave me
this"
And her name?" he asked breath
lessly.
Miss Lester said Mile.
He drew sharp breath. Miss
Margaret Lester?" he demanded.
yes, that is her name,' replied Mil
lie, surprised in her turn at his ex-
element
"'And she is not married?" con-
t1nued Mr.. Darrah.
mo, indeed. She is all alone. Her
mother died last year, and she is very
sad and lonely"
Both father and mother dead
Poor grill" he said softly, and seemed
lost in thought for a moment, but
soon resumed his catechism.
Where does she liver he asked alb
ruptly. Not in this town."
Yes, just below here" Mile re
piled, you can see the house from
here; that yellow one with the
cupola," pointing it out.
THANK you, very much" said her
strange companion, and in moment
he was outside the grounds, hurrying
down the street.
Mile looked about her for min
ute blankly enough, but soon made
her way to the refreshment tent and
RECALLED herself on her own account.
At eight o'clock, the barges which
Judge Hancock had provided were
driven to the door to take the little
Mile made her adieus, Mrs. Hancock
asked her what she had done with
Mr.. Darrah, and Mile told the story
of his sudden disappearance.
Mrs. Hancock and her husband look
ed at each other in surprise, which in
pear. They were not aware that he
was a friend of Miss Lester, whom
they knew but slightly.
Dinner was over, and the evening
passed, and still nothing was seen OF
Mr.. Darrah. The clock had struck
eleven; the coachman had come in to
inquire if he should put the gentle
mans horse up for the night, and the
family were debating as to the ad-
visibility when the culprit appeared,
breathless and heated as though from
| hurrying.
He looked decidedly embarrassed,
! not to say sheepish, but Enthusiastically
happy withal. A storm OF questions,
raillery and laughter greeted him.
"The pond has been dragged! Criers
are QUIT Rewards have been offered!
Fears of a second Charlie Ross have
been aroused" and all sorts of ride
ulous statements were hurled into his
ears.
When he could speak he began his
apologies. He was assured that he
could be pardoned only on one con-
dition; that he make full and free
explanation of his erartic behavior.
He agreed that his rudeness de-
manded it, and, not without confusion,
related his story.
Paris, where his business interests de-
manded his presence, he had met Miss
Lester and became engaged to her.
Then a wretched misunderstanding
arose and they quarreled and parted
To change the proverb slightly, "They
quarreled in haste, to repent at lei
sure.
Soon after the Testers left Paris
and returned to America. He heard
accidentally of Mr.. Testers death
Then a rumor reached him of the
young lady's approaching marriage,
but he soon lost all trace Of her.
On his return to America the pre-
vious winter, he tried in vain for
news of her. They had no mutual
friends Of whom he could inquire, and
he could learn absolutely nothing of
her.
The dress which Mile wore was
one he we'll remembered, and aroused
his interest and curiosity at once
The rest they knew.
Here peals of laughter met him and
the judge said, gravely "You have
ISldLSu eNGuIS up 10 seven 0 CLOCK tnlS
evening. 1t is with the last foul
hours we have now to deal. You
have only to being the story instead
Of ending it"
Yes, go on, go on they all cried.
The poor fellow looked confused, in
deed for moment polished man of
the world as he was but recovering
himself, he said: 81 must leave that
to your imagination. 1t ought to
suffice to be told that the engagement
is renewed
And Miss Lester, or Mrs. Darrah, as
she became soon after, was found re-
minding Mile that because she was
kind and obliging and returned to the
drawing room to play, as Mrs. Han
cock wished, she had been the means
OF making two people happy for life.
These same people were ever the
best of friends to Mile whom they
loved hardly less than their own chill
dren. She was educated as her first
teacher had planned and became an
artist of no small merit, and, what is
better, a good and noble woman.
TANNING TWO FISH HAWKS.