Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-03-12
Continued.


slowly, while a faint smile tWinkled at
the of his mouth and grew
broader and broader as Miles face
assumed a deeper and deeper tint Of
not unbecoming pink. You don't
mean to say, Mile, that it's"
well, and why not?" said she,
laughing shyly. Then she grew sud
denly serious. "To tell you the truth.
I'm overwhelmed myself with the hon
our" she said very simply. Il never
minded being plain before. But now
when l think that I may some day be
Mr.. Hugh Crosmont's wife, l do really
wish something could be done to my
nose. 1t is so very 'tip-tilted,' and yet
without in the least suggesting the
petal Of a fiower!'"
Its a very good nose, Mile, and
it's in a very good face, and the face
belongs to a very good and sweet
girl
HIN, yes. suppose it's something
yer to be good, in these hard times.
But hadn't thought the quality was a
snowy enough one to be brought to
market"
Its an out-of-the-way fruit, Mile,
that it takes a connoisseur to find out
and appreciate. But say, isn't dear
old Uncle Hugh rather old for you?"
mo. I'm a connoisseur too, and |
don't like my fruit green"
when is he coming to see your"
ooh, dear me. we haven't got as far
as that yet. | only received the letter
this morning. [ shan't answer it today,
and | shall try and hold out over to-
morrow. | don't want to seem to jump
at him; on the other hand, it won't do
to be too naughty, or he might see
someone with a better nose!"
She was trimming over with fun
but there was a tenderness in her eyes,
a joyful tremor in her voice, which
told that her heart vas really touched.
Did you ever ask a girl to marry
you, Frank?" she asked after a pause.
ooh, yes; three or four times, per
maps more; certainly three or four"
And always the same girl?"
mo, always different girls"
ooh, Frank, you must be a firt!"
mo; it was the girls who were fiirts.
There are some girls-lots Of girls
whom one always asks to marry one
when one Mas known them long
enough. They seem to expect it, and
n drops into it as a matter of course.
Then you are engaged-fOr they never
refuse you-until some other fellow
turns up, and you are not exactly
shelved, you know, onl you come in
n find your fiancee kissing him, and
you feel a little out of it, and you don't
call so often; and then some other
girl turns up and you don't call at
all"
But that is very frivolous. 1t
seems strange to me. | eve thought
[ should have much to do with them,
but love and marriage have always
seemed to me such solemn. things"
Some people take them that way"
Come, Frank, I've spoken very
openly to you. o might be more
honest with me. Surely there must
be some love which al more than
that to a man like you!"
Armathwaite started. The girl had
suddenly put SO much energy and pen
etration into her look and tone that
she could not again be answered by
mere b~adinage, the more so that a new
and most unwelcome consciousness be-
gan to steal over him at her question.
1--WE all love seriously at n time or
another, l suppose" he said evasively.
He began tapping his riding-gaiter
with his whip, and looking through
the window at the cob, which had just
been brought round, instead of go
ing out to mount. Mile played with
her w~ork-basket, and looked out too.
What made you say that to me,
Millie?" he asked abruptly, without
looking down at her.
ooh, | oughtn't to have said it at
all, l dare say said she.
Yes, yes, but what did you mean
by it?"
She paused for a moment because
Mrs. Peele, who was delivering a long
monologue to the housemaid at the
fireplace, had talked herself out OF
blNollI, anu udu " lCNIuIJ liz LOANSE
by a short silence. AS soon as her
sOnorous voice resounded again
through the room, her daughter be
gan her reply very softly and shyly.
For the last week you have been
silent and restless, and fancied-
unhappy. Twice-last night and an.
ither time-you have gone out very
suddenly, with a strange look on your
face, as if you saw something in
visible to anybody else"
Last night! How did you know
that?"
Il had run round to see Mrs. Len
nox next door, and l passed you or
my way back as you rushed out"
I did not see you"
mo, you would not have cen any
body, I think" A pause. Then shs
went on in a lower tone than ever: 6.
waited up to see you when you came
home" The fair skin OF Armathwaite's
face flushed as he listened. But she
paused again. you did not come bacl
so | went to my room-very late. Blu
first | drew back the bolt of the from
door so that you could let yourself in.
Thank you, Mile"
Il heard you come in-very much
later than that. | had been asleep
and it startled me to near sounds il
the house in the middle of the night
l ran to my door, and opened it
very little way. The light was jus