Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-17
CEAPTER II.-(Continued.)

you quite did your duty"
Pretty fairly ] fancy. We can't be
expected 10 consummate the amount of
pirouetting that your sex delight in. l
danced a good deal. and it was real pleas
ure to me to see the little sensation you
made. | like to see my pretty cousin
appreciated as she should be, and taking
her legitimate position in the county"
And what's that, pray|
why. as the belle of all Hampshire,
Of course | wish, though, you hadn't
danced with that fellow Pearman last
night I've a sort of presentiment i'll
will come of it."
You stupid Granville; what can come
Of it: | am not likely to see him again
for perhaps never. At the
worst recognition of his existence on
meeting is all that quadrille entails
well, | suppose you are right, Maude;
but it is time | was off. Good-by." And
Grenville's pulse tingled a little, as his
lips touched the fair cheek so quietly
yielded to him. Kind regards TO my I'M
Gle and aunt and drop me line now
and then
Don't be afraid of that" laughed
Miss Denison don't | always write to
you when | want anything and am
not always wanting something? | think
the past might testify in my favor. Good
by: don't be long before you come and
see US again"
Grenville Rose pondered modify over
his visit, as he drove to the station. He
had not quite mastered the fact that he
was in love with his cousin, but he had
arrived at some close apprehensions on
the subject He felt that he would have
been a good deal better satisfied had his
parting salute been much less easily ac-
corded
Maude fresh as a rose, after turn
round the garden. comes in inst in time to
greet her mother on her return to the
dining room. Petting her mother is one
of the chief pleasures of Maude Denison's
life. On this occasion she conducts her
.nto the easychair next the fire, makes
the tea. and then, drawing a stool near,
seats herself at Mrs. Denisons feet. and
with girlish delight recounts all her sue
cesses of the previous night; to which
the fond mother listens with quiet happi-
ness. as her hand plays with her daugh-
ter's silken trcsses. That nobody could
eclipse. that nobody could ever be wor-
Thy bL dlluS with IeI DSci ISSo -1ouNae'
was a thing that Mrs. Denison would
have deemed absurd to argue
And. mother, DEAR" said the girl. at
last. "Grenville said, before he went away
this morning, | was quite the belle of the
ball. What do you think of your daugh-
ter now? Won't that satisfy papa, al
though he did grumble so about the eH-
pense of the dress?"
Yes, love. He will be quite content
cd when he hears how thoroughly you en-
joyed yourself | am only so sorry that
! was not strong enough to have been
present myself at my darlings success.
Harold Denison entered the room in
his usual lstless fashion. He kissed his
daughter carelessly. asked if she had en-
loved her ball. scarce listened to her af-
firmation, and then plunged at once into
the letters and papers that lay piled
alongside his plate. He was a tall, slight,
handsome man, with keen, cold eye and
rather undecided mouth, verging on fifty
years Of age The slightly grizzled eye
brows knit as he skinned his correspond
ence Duns. lawyers letters anent mort
cages and sundry other liabilities, form
ed the staple of the daily missives that
constituted the accompaniment to his
breakfast Can it be wondered that the
mans temper was soured?-that the
whilom gay froIic squire of Glinn had
become Il cold. caustic and selfish man of
the world:
Things seem TO be getting worse and
worse Eleanor" he observed, throwing
down an epistle on the best supertine
blue post. and slipping his tea modify.
The old cry from Reynolds and Gibson
that that interest on the mortgage will
be due next month, and begging prompt
settlement this time, as the fellow is get
ting rather uneasy about the stability of
the security. on account of the delay of
last half-year. 1t will be hard to scrape
the money together Sheep, too. are
down to nothing almost-so Thompson
tells me-or else | have a hundred to
sell that | looked to to help me through
with this
Mrs. ncuison sighed. She had gone
through a good many such breakfasts in
her time. and felt as helpless as ever in
suggesting expedieuts for the occasion.
Its very unfortunate" she said at
length. MIR. Pearman is not pressing,
at all events, | hope
No: ne has the grace to remember
that thirds Of the property have al
ready fallen into his hands. He is al
WAYS tolerably lenient about his money
The fellow knows, moreover, that his is
the first mortgage on the estate: and
daresav. at times looks forward to being
the eventual owner of Glinn. Shouldn't
wonder if he was. too, some of these
DAYS" muttered Denison bitterly. Il
used to grievc once, Nell. that we hadn't
son: | begin TO think now it was all
for the best. | should feel it more if |
had to think that my boy would never be
master here Yet that is pretty we'll how
the case would stand if we had one"
providence knows what is best for
us, Harold" returned his wife, softly !;
1T was a sore source of trouble to us
once but as you say, it spares us some
bitter thoughts now"
She associated herself with him in his
career of extravaganza as if she had been
equally TO blame, though. as far as her
gentle nature dared, she had entered
more than one meek remonstrance at his
reckless career. But Mrs. Denison was
not the woman 10 throw her husband
faults continually in his teeth. 1t was
all done now. past recall; still. as far as
"
willing TO bear her share of the burden
Harold Denison's folly had entailed on
his family.
md pray, Maude, did Mr.. Pearman
honor minister with his presence last
night" inquired her father, sarcastically.
Young Mr.. Pearman was there, but
not the old man. He seemed TO know a
good many people there. Mr.. Brisden-''
Yes, it's the old story. The old
county families are swept away by these
spinners. brewers, solicitors, and such
like. Another hundred years, and there
won't be one of the old names left in
the neighboraood.''
Breakfast is over. Maude hits away
TO her own little sanctum, with its piano,
books, and budding camellias Mrs. Den
ison goes off for a conference with the
old housekeeper: while the squire bstakes