Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-15

Leave the painting for a few mo-
ments, dear; l want to introduce you to
Captain Polling. My daughter"
Ethel plucked off her unbecoming head
gear as she turned to face the unknown
visitor She was greatly surprised at
the Introduction, her father having kept
her in strict seclusion since she left
school a year before
Il taught Coptain Polling the rudi-
ments Of sketching before he went on
an expedition to Central Africa three or
four years ago., and he is 50 delighted
with his own efforts that be wanted to
carry me right away to Wimbledon at
once, to see and praise them"
That is scarcely truthful statement,
Miss MalIett," put in Captain Polling
with smile. Il don't want praise, but
Judgment. The expedition | went out
with is going to publish the result of our
investigations, and they want some of my
sketches to Illustrate the work. When ]
saw Mr.. Mallett in Picadilly I thought
Here is the man who will tell me hon
estly if | dare to allow them to be pub
iished;' and l bounced upon him. And
now l have obtained two judges in the
place of one. My trap is waiting out
side, and | trust you will let me take you
both down to my little box. My house
keeper will find US something to eat, and
IN the cool of the evening we can go
quietly through my little pictures and
arrange them together"
Ethel looked puzzled. Mr.. Mallett
could hardly conceal the surprise he felt
at the adrOit manner in which his late
pupil had managed to include 1.-The child"
Ethel glanced at her rather worn but
prettily made dove-cOlored gown and her
bibbed holland apron.
Il am not in presentable order" she
began.
But you will see no one but the house
keeper and the present company. Show
yourself superior to such considerations,
Miss Mallett. 1t will be a positive favor
to me, for they are hurrying the prep
arations forward, and l should not like to
be the cause of delaying the publication
of the book
Very well; I will come. But papa
will tell you l am of no use in u case of
this Sort
Ethel leaned back in the well-cush-
| Toned phaeton and listened lazily to the
| conversation between the two men, her
| father sharing the back seat with the
groom.
Captain Pelling's horses Travelled well.
and, the breeze blowing right in her face
Ethel gradually lost the depressing pain
III her head and began to feel interested
in the places they were passing.
| Win at last the horses stopped at a
tiny cottage, consisting to all appear
ances entirely of bay windows and
creeper covered porch, and looking timer
still by comparison with the gigantic elm
trees that surrounded it, she had slight
tinge of pink in her cheeks, and the dark
| rings had nearly disappeared from round
| her eyes.
\ pleasant middle-aged woman came
| to the Lall door, and Captain Polling
| handed Ethel over to her at once.
Give Miss Mallett a cup of especially
good tea, Mrs. Crichton, and make her
lie down until a quarter of an hour be-
! fore dinner. Above all, don't let her
talk; she has had bad headache
Ethel looked at him in mute surprise
land it will return if she exerts herself
! before she dimes"
Mr.. Mallett looked amused; but the
| captain, supremacy unconscious of having
said or done anything unusual, led the
way through the long, low hall and out at
glass door at the end.
This way, MISS" and Mrs. Crichton
opened the door, through which she was
followed by Ethel