The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-07-12
A Hero of Romance.
By Laurence Livingston.

He was mystery. That Is to all
the neighbors except one-gay, fool
ish Gennie Hanson. She saw the
handsome Mystery the day he rented
and moved into the haunted Withers'
homestead, about a mile from her
fathers farmhouse. This house bore
an Ill name, and no one had occu-
pied 1t since old man Withers was
found dead, with his throat cut. Since
then there were those who said his
ghost came back to show where he
had hidden his money, but as he
never made over fifty cents a month,
over and above mere living expenses,
the more sensible paid no attention
to such stories. Evidently the new
renter was not bothered by ghosts.
although he did not try to be sOcta-
BILE and get acquainted, and SO the
people just let him alone. all except
Gennie.
The girl was only seventeen, and
had no mother, and the man ap-
peared wonderfully handsome to
her, with his flashing dark eyes, jet
black hair, and pink and white COM
pleXion, covered with a prOfusion of
black beard and long. dropping
mustache. His voice was soft and
low, his hands long and slender, and
his fingers pointed, while his figure,
although lacking in height. was slen-
der and elegant. OF course. she was
taken with his fine clothes, and his
manners, which seemed perfect to
the innocent little country girl, who
had never been more than thirty
miles away from her home in all her
life. Oh, yes, and such contrast to
honest Abram Hoover. who had been
taking her about ever since they
were children together. Young
Hoover's farm sdjoined her fathers
on the other side of the Withers'
homestead, and 1t was an understood
thing that Gennie and he were to be
married.
After she saw the Mystery. how
ever, Gennie was very restless. and
several times slipped away to wan
der along the road passing the With
srs' homestead, hoping to see the
stranger. One day she was startled
ut having her wish gratif1ed. for a
low, sweet voice said gently on her
left:
81 wonder II / can ask favor Of
you"
Gennie turned and saw the Mys-
terry standing by her eide,
What do you wantf" she asked
rather abruptly. being considerably
startled.
Il want some small change. Could
you break a ten for met" and as he
spoke, the Mystery took crisp ton
dollar bill from his heSviIy en-
bossed card case, and as he did 80
Gennie thought of tho day Abram
jabbed his bills down In his hip
pocket. It happened she had con-
siderable change with her for she
paid all the bills for her father. and
bought the things they needed at the
little town eight miles away. There
fore, 1t was with pride. that she drew
channels skin bag from its resting
place in her gown. and counted out
the ten dollars
How pretty new money looks"
she said, caressing the crisp note.
Think SO? have several of
them, for / like new money myself,
but ] find 1t difficult to get change,
and as have NO conveyance. I sup
pose will have to hire some one to
make my purchases"
The soft apple blossom color
spread over the Fair young face. and
pair of gentle blue eyes were raised
to the dark ones. az Gennfe STAN
mered:
If you trust mel"
Trust you, my -blue-eyed beauty -
half whispered the Mystery. ~ would
trust you with everything 1 pos
$685." then added aloud:
REST here few minutes, it is q
delightful spot" leading her toward
break in the Usage orange hedge,
where wild roses rain riot. and wild
morning glories rustled their tiny
bells in warning. but the sweet, will
full girl did not heed. His half whis-
pered words had set heart on fire,
and Gennie felt she loved the man
she had barely spoken to.
For half an hour the two sat and
talked, the handsome man Of the
world refraining from frightening
the innocent girl by any mad protes-
tations, but making ardent love new
ertheless.
II am scientist. darling" he said
softly. mo, do not stop me. I have
to say what my heart keeps repeat
Ing. / came here for quiet In order
to work out problem. I am afraid
Of others discovering my secret. If /
could impose upon your" and he let
the full fire of his eyes. which few
women had been able to resist, fall
upon her own.
Gennie put forth two trembling,
eager little hands. crying earnestly:
Tell me what I can do?'
DO you ever go marketng?"
'Several times a week" and she