Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-24
CHAPTER XXI.

At the risk of being accused of betray-
ing the secrets of the sex, this opportunity
is taken of recording an observation made
respecting men. 1t is simply this: That
we all turn sooner or later to some wom-
en- in our difficulties. And when a man
has gone irretrievably to the dogs, his
descent is explicable by the simple argu-
ment that he happened to turn to the
wrong woman. Matthew Mark Easton
had hitherto got along fairly we'll with
out feminine interference, but this in no
manner detracted from his respect for
feminine astuteness. This respect now
urged him to brush his hat very carefully
one afternoon, purchase a new flower for
his button hole, and drive to Miss Win
ter's. He found that lady at home and
alone.
Il thought" he said, as he entered the
room and placed his hat carefully on the
piano, that l should find you at home
this afternoon. 1t is so English outside"
"The weather does not usually affect
my movements" replied Miss Winter 81
am glad you came this afternoon, because
| am not often TO be found at home at
this time. Tell me, how is Mr.. Tyars?"
He is WE'LL was the answer, thank
you. His arm is knitting nicely"
There was a little pause, then he add
ed, with a marked drawl-an Ameri-
canism to which he rarely gave way:
How is Miss Grace?"
Agnes Winter looked up sharply. Mat
thew Mark Easton met the gaze of those
clever northern eyes with a half smile.
She gave a little short laugh, half pleas
ed, half embarrassed, like the laugh of
some fair masker when she finds herself
| forced to lay aside her mask.
Il wonder" she said, how much you
know"
The strange, wrinkled face fell at once
into an expression of gravity which rem
dered it somewhat wistful and almost
ludcrous.
"Nothing--I guess!'
How much do you surmise?" she
amended, unconsciously using a word to-
ward which he had a decided conversa-
tional penchant.
Everything. My mind is in a fevered
state of surmise."
is there anything to be dOne?" she
asked, after a heightened pause.
Il counted" he answered, that l
would put that question to you"
Don't you see that | can do nothing,
that l am powerless"
And" he continued, imperturbably,
what am l to do?"
well, l should go to Mr.. Tyars and
say, 'Claud Tyars, you cannot go on this
xpedition-you have no right to sacri-
fee the happiness of-of another to the
qualification of your own personal ambi-
ton
Il cannot do that" he said, because
Claud Tyars has bound himself to go,
and l will not let him off his contract
1t is my expedition"
He hardly expected her to believe it,
knowing Tyars and himself as she did.
But he was quite aware that he laid him
self open to a blow on the sorest spot in
his heart.
Then why do you not so yourself, Mr..
EaSton?'
He WINGED under it, all the same.
though he made no attempt to Justify
himself. She had touched his pride and
there is no prouder man on earth than
a high-bred North American. He merely
sat and endeavorcd to keep his lips still,
as TyarS would have managed to do. In
a second Miss Winters saw the result of
the taunt, and her generous heart soft
l ened
Il beg your pardon" she said; Il
know there must be some good reason"
She waited. in order to give nim an
opportunity of setting forth his good rea-
son, but he refused to take it, and she
never had the satisfaction of hearing Il
from his own lips.
ITO be continued