Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-05

ed up as if to escape. When he found
it was nothing he got out his handker-
chief and dabbed his forehead. Then
he changed to the divan. Still, she
might think he expected her to come
and sit there beside him if she found
him there. That, while delightful,
would be too confusing; so he hastily
started a tremulous whistle before he
remembered himself and coughed.
When Alice did come down she
walked into the room so casually, and
naturally that it was almost shock
to-him until he recalled that of course
she was not aware that this evening
was set apart: from all others because
of what he had resolved to say
Those roses you sent to-day were
just beautiful, Chauncey," she said,
blithely. Thank you so much!''.
Were they?" Smelling asked, gut
turally. t. -
The pretty girl in the pale blue
dress glanced at him in concern. my
goodness!" she cried. You aren't 60
ing to have pneumonia or anything,
are you? Your. voice is dreadfully
hoarse! Does your head ache?"
That was Alice-always instantly
sympathetic! There was an opening
here and Smelling darkly CROPPED
for it.
''Give me your sympathy for life
your sweet thoughtfulness Then he
coughed again and spoke distinctly
Il haven't ghost of a cold" he told
her hurriedly. Isis your mother
quite weH?"
The pretty girl frankly stared
why, of course she said. Mother
always is well. What put that into
your head?"
ooh, I don't know" Smelling an
swered miserably.
"Shall I phone for Grace and Tom
so we can play bridge?" she asked
him.
Smelling turned about in alarm.
"Oh, my, mol" he exploded.
81 believe your head does ache and
you won't own up to it," said the pref
ty girl. Il thought you liked Grace
and Tom
ooh, 1 dol" protested the young
man. II am very fond of them, very
fond" he ended emphatically. He
wiped his forehead as he spoke.
Your voice didn't sound fond" re-
proved the young woman. Il thought
it would amuse you. You-you act
kind of bored tonight"
Here was another opening-"more
important things to consider"-"mind
wholly wrapped up in you"-"what is
bridge to life's happiness?'' Then
he managed to say that while his head
didn't ache he did not feel very well.
How do you like my new dress?
the young woman started in again.
tits beautiful" said Smelling Deep
ly. ut looks lovely on you. I don't
know that it looks better than your
other one-I mean all your other ones,
of course. In fact the one before
this one-I mean the pink one-was
just as pretty-although of course per-
haps this is prettier. I like you best
in blue-unless it is pink"
The young woman looked frankly
concerned. "Chauncey," she said 81
just know you feel dreadfully and are
coming down with the grip or some
thing. You go right home and drink
something hot and go to bed"
Il believe you are right" said Shell
ing with CHASTITY cheerfulness. His
hand reached toward his hat, but his
knees refused to bend to allow him to
rise. Systematically he got to his
feet Il do feel queer" he confessed.
II wonder what allied Chauncey to-
night" she murmured. HE seemed
to have something on his mind"
Once settled in the street car,
Smelling felt calmness and poise re-
turning to him. AZ he glared into the
street lights his lips moved savagely
in one emphatic word directed at him
aelf-Chicaeo Daily. News