Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-10
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BY n. s. MER2EMAN


morning. Yours very truly
agnes WINTER
The young sailor read this letter among
Others a the breakfast table. His faith
er and sister were engaged on their own
affairs-Helen with her letters, the ad-
miral among his newspapers. Oswin
Grace read the letter twice, and then
slipped it into his pocket together with
the envelope that had contained it.
Miss Winters elderly maid servant ex-
pecrcd Lieut.. Grace, for she opened the
door and stood back invitingly. He was
ushered up into the warm, luxurious
drawing ROOM and after the door had
been closed, stood for a few moments IT.
resolutc in the middle of the deep carpet.
Presently he began to wander about the
room, taking things up and setting them
down again. He inhaled the subtle at
mOsphere of feminine home refinement
and looked curiously around him. There
were a hundred little personalities, little
incOnsidered feminine trides that are only
found where a woman is quite at home.
There was a silly little lace handkerchief
utterly useless and vain, lying upon
table beside work basket. He took it
up, examined its texture critically, and
ther instinctivey raised it to his face.
He threw it down again with peculiar
twisted smile.
Wonder what scent it is" he mutter
ed Il have never come across it--any-
where else"
lie went toward the mantelpiece; upon
it were two portraits-old photographs,
somewhat faded. One of Helen, the 9th
er Of himself lie examined his own like
ness for some moments.
Solemn little beggar," he said, for the
photograph was of a little square-built
midshipman with a long, oval face. Sol
emn little beggar; wonder what the end
will be? Wonder why he is on this
mantclpiece? | think that l was rather
fool to come here. Tyars would not
like it,"
While he was still following out the
train of thought suggested by this rehec
ton the door opened asd Miss Winter en-
tered. She had evidently just come in,
for She was still gloved and furred.
= she said, gayly, you have come.
l was afraid that your exacting com
mander would require your services all
the morning"
My exacting commander" he answer
ed, rs he took her goved hand in his,
has peculiar way of doing everything
himself and leaving his subordinates idle.7
She was standing before him, slowly
unbuttoning her Tram little sealskin
jacket
What she said, suddenly, "about the
exDedition?"
lie looked back at her over his shout
de-, for he had gone toward the window,
and there was Il sudden CLEAN of deter
mination in his eyes. 1t was her infu-
ence that had disturbed Tyars' resolu-
ton.
What expcdition?" he asked CURLY, on
his guard.
This theater expedition" she replied
sweetly.
oh, we'll ] suppose it will be carried
through. We I'll want to go. l suppose
you are not 81 ongy opposed to it?'
"I| she La he'd lightly; 'of course l
want to go. J u know that l am always
ready for amu ment, proftless or other
wise-proiitle> preferred Why do you
look so grave, Oswin? Please DON'T
hate solemnity. Do you know you have
got terribly grave lately? 1t is"
1T is what, Agnes?"
He was looking down at her with his
keen, close-set gray eyes, and she met
his glance for n moment only.
Mr.. Tyars," she answered casping
her fingers together and bending them
backward as if to restore the circulation
after her cold walk
There is something" said Grace, after
a little pause, during which Miss Winter
had continued to rub remarkably rosy
little pair of hands together, that jars.
Tyars annoys you in some way. Why?"
Miss Winter changed color. She look
ed very girlish with the hot blush fading
slowly from her cheeks. She did not
however, make any answer.
Wont you tell me. Agnes" he urged
and as he spoke he walked away from her
and stood looking out of the window.
They were thus at opposite sides of the
room back to back. She glanced over
her shoulder, drew deep breath. and
then spoke with an odd little smile which
was almost painful.
His Arctic expedition" she said, de-
Hberately. IF he is going to spend his
life in that sort of thing | would rather
-not-cultivate his friendship"
She leaned forward, warming her hands
feverishly, breathing rapidly and uneven
W. She felt him approach, for his foot
steps were inaudible on the thick carpet
and she only crouched a little lower. At
last, after a horrid silence, he spoke. and
his voice was deeper and singularly mo-
notonous.
Why should you not wish to cultivate
his friendship under those circum-
stances?"
Because" she answered lamely. 81
should hate TO have friend of mine-a
real friend-running the risk of such a
horrible death"
He walked away to the window again
and stood there with his hands thrust
into his jacket pockets-plucky, self-con-
Gained, taking his punishment without a
word.
That" he said. SIS the worst of max
ing friends. One is bound to drift away
from them. But still it is foolish to hold
aloof on that account"
Our maritime philosopher" she said.
will now eXpound a maxim. Ex-pound.
Derivaton-to pound out"
Shall l get the tickets?" he asked. in
a practical way.
Please"
Well, then, l will go off at once and
book them"
He shook hands and left her standing
in tn emiddle of the room.
Perhaps she murmured regretfully,
lit was very cruel-or it may be only my
own self-conceit. At all events. it was
not 50 cruel as they are to Helen. | do
not think thar they will both go now"
Scarcely had the front door closed be-
hind Oswin Grace when the bell was rung
again.
Miss Winter, standing in the drawing
room, heard the tones of mans voice.
md in a few moments the maid knock ed
Und came into the drawing room.
"A gentleman, please, miss; 4 Mr.. Eas-
ton, she said.
Mr.. Easton," repeated Agnes Winter
For moment she forgot who this might
be. SHOW him up at once"
Matthew Mark EaSton had evidently
devoted some care to the question of dress
on this occasion. Some extra care. per
hans for he was y nac1lliarly Oeo+ man