Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-04-24
Anything on earth, miss
By joseph Arthur.

- eS, unless you prefer prison. |
And then you are to tell him some !
thing against that girl, Ora. You're
to tell him something against her
But there ain nothin' to tell"
''Then invent some vile story that
will make him despise her. You love
her, you say. If you separate them
she may turn to you. If you refuse
you go to Jail. Take your choice"
''Tll do it and glad of the chance!"
Good! Here he comes. I'll leave
you with him"
AS she left the room Gladys
laughed to herself.
81 fancy that will cure his love for
her" she murmured $50 the story
mamma told me about my fathers
early marriage is true! And this
Ora Jones is his child. | wonder #
my letter to mamam warning her 20
keep father at home reached her on
time He's due here on the 9 o'clock
train tonight unless he is stopped.
Well, if all else fails my forged tele-
gram may save the day.
Meanwhile Blessing had strolled
into the ballroom, where Loucks
awaited him.
81 want to speak to you, Mr. Bless
ing" began Bill, about that Jones
girl. She's
Have you anything to say against
herr" numbered Bob.
Bills heart quailed at the fire in
the others eyes.
"No-no-sir," he faltered 81 only
wanted to apologize for what happen
ed there the other day"
Without awaiting an answer he left
the room.
AS he did so he brushed against a
man who was hurrying in, and
recognized him as Bard, the foreman
of the aqueduct.
What is it Bard?" asked Blessing
in surprise.
Sorry to disturb you, sir" was the
reply, but there's a story circulating
among the men that you are not going
to pay them their back wages at the
dedication tomorrow, and they're
drinking there. They're in an ugly
frame of mind and there's talk of com
ing up here tonight and mobbing
YOU
Tell them not to worry. My
partner, MI Middleton, comes on the
9 o'clock train this evening, and he
brings their pay with him. They'll
get it tomorrow"
81 hope SO, I'm sure, sir. If Mr..
Middleton misses that train I won't
be able to keep the gang. from COM
ing here and mobbing you"
Gladys Middleton returned to the
ballroom just as Bard took his leave.
Bob looks cast down." she
thought, exultantly. 'Louck's con-
fession has mortified him. He will be
glad enough to return to me now"
Bob" she cried, I'm so glad TO
find you alone. Why have you
Stunned me so since that day at the
Gates cottage?"
Your insults that day should ex-
cuse my neglect" he replied sternly,
but since you have forced this inter
view on me let me take advantage of
it to release you from an engagement
that l know you must find as irksome
as l do. Please consider our engage
ment at an end"
You shall suffer for this" mutter-
ed the girl between her clinched
teeth. I suppose your heart has been
captured by this country hoyden-this
girl you are trying to palm off on our
family as my fathers daughter"
you know that"
Il overheard every word of your
talk with that old woman, week befor
last" admitted Gladys. unblushingly
you are bringing them here tonight
to humiliate me-
MOI" l am bringing Ora here 20
meet her father. She does not even
know who he is yet"
A hustle in the hall announced the
arrival of guests, and Gladys slipped
away with light in her eyes that
BODIED i'll for Bob's plan, just as Ora
and her grandmother and Angie Vol
mer entered. escorted by Buster.
Buster took Angie and "Gramma"
to see the view from the veranca
after the first greetings were ex-
hanged, leaving Bob and Ora alone
gether in the ballroom.
Thank you for remembering your
- 1ise to come here said Blessing.
Of
arm mas consent" she answered. |
o,- know mother came here over |!
a,es,z. me years ago to a hop and |
n IA father 1t sort of set |
aronoss against such things. But |
,, eaid, y ou'd bring my father to me. |
here is h,
,.Hess-r7t here yet"
But you ST id
eyes 7 KNOW y. He's coming. He'll |
here an the4 O'Clock train"
oYop haven't even told me his |
lme!"
mo. I want to keep it as a sur
Use. But I've some ching else to tell |
)u.
what is it? Another secred?"
soThe dearest secret in the world |
ant you guess it?'
NO. Tell me"
81 love you!''
OH"
.sDidn't YOU know that before?''
CT suppose you wouldn't have !
pent every day at our house these !
vast two weeks if you hadn't kind Of |
liked me, but
DO YOU love me, Ora?