Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-07-16
The WOOdnan
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Now, little mother, If you say
Roger TO me again I'll refuse to make
his acquaintance when we get back.
It's bad enough to hear the girls rave
over him and his good looks, and to be
asked silly questions about his life
abroad, and If he really is engaged to
Lady Westbrock In London. How do l
know? l told Laura the other day l
didn't know him. had never seen him,
and have great mind to disown him
as relative. For heavens sake, don't
mention Rogers name again."
Myrtle's mother, who was reading a
novel in a comfortable chair while her
maid brushed her handsome gray hair,
looked up and laughed easily.
you can't help meeting him, child,
and knowing him this fall. He's the
lion of the house since his book on the
Central American explora tons came
out He is a very nice, good-lOOking
young man; really don't see why you
would disclaim him for a cousin. 1 am
sure he wrote you quite pleasant note
when he got back. If you had accepted
bis invitation and gone on his touring
cal, y you would have enjoyed it i'm
mensesT. His auto"
"Oh, yes, l know" said Myrtle,
laughing. 1T is the finest motor car
ever seen In these parts. Laura told
me all about ii, and how delightful
Roger made himself If he wants to
n &c Nj ~,
proper understanding of himself and
his merits, he had better go back
among : Aztec ruins and the tombs of
dead kings, and get away from all
these women who flatter him and from
our sensational social whirl. l be-
lieve 1t is more his millions than his
book that makes him so dreadfully
popular. Please don't mention him
again"
Mrs. Carlson smiled at her handsome
daughter, who was putting on her
gloves to go out, and agreed.
Every well. Well taboo Roger and
keep him at a distance. l daresay he
found the ancient civilization as good
as ours. The Aztecs lived in Mexico,
you know. Remember, we leave at
the end of the week. Do drive to"
Then followed a list of commissions,
to which Myrtle listened dutifully But
when in her coupe, driving down the
avenue, Myrtle thought of Roger more
than of her shopping
1t was a relief the week following to
get away from friends and intimates
$50 dreadfully prone to gossip and
scandal, the noise and dust of the city
and It's manifold and sometimes wear
Ing social exactions, of which Myrtle
had had rather a surfeit all through
the winter and the equally gay spring
She and her mother agreed that two
months of a quiet life on the very top
of the mountains, where they would
see no one and would spend the cool
summer days driving long distances or
rambling idly through the great prim-
eval forest, would be pleasurable by
way of contrast, besides being extreme
iy recuperative.
One special June day Myrtle, coming
down path, saw young fellow in
u,
rough trousers, boots and q felt hat.
pulled down over his face cutting
down a towering hemlock, which had
been partly killed by lightning.
BEST looking mountaineer I've seen
yet" thought Myrtle, sitting down on
fallen and decayed log to watch him
and see the fall of the tree.
The tall hemlock quivered and shook
under the sharp strokes Of the cleverly
welded ak, and it was evident its fall
was approaching.
Pausing and looking up TO shape the
direction of its crash, the woodman for
the first time saw Myrtle sitting on the
log and watching him.
Selling her by the arm, he dragged
her rapidly to one side, and none too
soon.
Quivering in it's great length and
bending first slowly and majestically,
then coming down with lightning speed
and a tremendous crash, the forest
giant accepted its doom and fell to the
earth. Its sparse branches spread
around, covering the very spot where
Myrtle had sat.
Il suppose my hat and sketch book
are gone forever. I'll never get them
out from under those branches. 1 don't
mind the hat. but would hate to lose
my sketches" Myrtle said ruefully.
You came near losing something
much more valuable" the mountaineer
said. smiling down at the purple-blue
eyes and long black lashes. "Nhat
made you sit so near? Did you not see
the tree was going TO fall in your
direction? You would have been
crushed if I hadn't pulled you to a
place Of safety. l hope I was not too
rough. Did l hurt your arm?"
You certainly did. But as I owe
YOU my life l won't quarrel with you
over that. Indeed, am most grateful.
If you hadn't been so quick l would be
where my hat is now, under that huge
trunk. How frightfully big a tree
looks when it is down; just see how it
has crushed the smaller ones"
''Sit on the stump while l try to I'M
earth your book. You look quite pale, >
he said, brushing of some chips with
his hat to make more presentable
seat
"A remarkable looking man." Myrtle
thought, as he sprang over the fallen
trunk and pulling aside the branches,
tried to discover the sketch book.
Returning presently with some torn
leaves he presented them to Myrtle.
THAT is all l could rescue, l am
sorry 90 say. Did you draw those
sketches? The view of the valley and
I'm &c aartoipIy pxpaIlanfv