Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-10
CHAPTER L


are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths,
seeming pocket handkerchiefs, stretching
gloves, tying white neck cloths, and 9TH
erwisc preparing for the momentous even
ing. The inferior clay of minister mover
about the gateway of The George hotel,
in all that exhilaration of spirits that
gratuitous sightseeing is wont to produce
among the multitude. 1t is but momen-
tary glimpse of some hundred or so OF
ladies and gentlemen in evening attire
that is destined to be the reward of their
patience; but then, you see, minister Is
a town in which the stream of life runs
so sluggisnly. Circuses, conjurers, lee
turers, monoogue entertainers. etc, are
rather shy of minister; the little town
is so thoroughly habituated to retiring to
rest at an early hour, that even the visits
of some Of these talented and adventur-
Gus beings have failed to tempt the in
habitants to forego their beds or to ex-
pend their silver.
But the dulest village in England rec
ognizes some occasions in the year on
which dreary mirth takes the place of
melancholy stagnation. They were two;
the fair and the dispensary ball. 1t is
causing the pulse of minister to beat
with fevcrish rapidly. and the popula-
ton are already waiting to display their
critical acumen on the bellies Of town and
country.
The dear old country tiddles are playing
their somewhat superannuated dance mu
sic with all the wonted animation and dis
regard of the nicetics of tune which is so
much the characteristic of provincial
bands. There is no lack Of pretty girls
tastefully dressed, in valse and quadrille,
in the queer old room with its still queer
er attempts at decoration in those gaudy
festoons Of artificial flowers. But a state
Iy young lady, dressed in white, with
green and-gold trimmings, seems to bear
away the palm. More than one murmur-
ed tribute to her beauty escapes the lips
of the lookers-on as she whrls by.
WHO is she? She moves like a queen
amongst the rest, and they are cookbook
ing girls. too, some of them" And the
speaker, a rather coarse-lookfng dark
man, a little the wrong side of thirty.
turned for information to the knot of
men he was lounging with at the door.
Haven't you ever seen her before.
Pearmnn? No, l suppose you hardly
could have done She goes out but little
that's Maude Deuison."
What daughter of old Denison of
Glnn:"
Just so-former owner of all those fat
acres which have since fallen into your
respected progenitor's possession :" and a
slight infection of voice just italicized the
epithet; for Gus Brisden was of a good
old county family, and had little revcr-
ence for the pearmans of Mannersley.
Yes. very handsome was Maude Deni-
son. She was Il beauty of the regal or
der, and her stately carriage alone would
have sutficed to make mon ask, who is
she:" even without the rich brown
tresses, proud grey eyes, and regular fea-
lures.
Il must know her :" said Pearman.
Can you introduce nae, Brisdcn?"
NO | barely know her myself" re-
piled Gus.
u must 20 and find somebody who
can" and Pearman hurried away.
Apparently he was successful, for
shortly afterwards he led out Miss Deni-
son for Quadrille, during which Mr..
peurmun did his uttermost to make him.
self agreeable. He was a very earthly
piece of clay, but he had enjoyed the
advantage of a good education, and was
by no means deficient in ability. He had
achieved a certain amount of tact while
undergoing the friction of such society as
he had encountered, and proved himself
an apt pupil in worldly knowledge. This
stood him in good stead Just now. When
he led Maude Denison back to her chap
Sba cir,ly h.
no means the least agreeable partner she
had had that evening. She had but Just
resumed her seat when a tall, fair man
was by her side His brow was slightly
knit. and his eyes sparkled angrily as he
exclaimed, My dear Maude, how could
you dance with that man."
Which, Grenville?" INQUIRED Miss
Denisou, smiling. Il have danced with
q good many tonight, including your
sweet self, cousin mine"
Don't be absurd, Maude: you know
very well whom | mean-that dark man
your last partner"
And wherefore should l not dance
with himi" inquired Miss Denison.
For q hundred reasons His name
alone should have sufficed to prevent it."
Dear me-" laughed the young lady,
merrily. You have piqued my woman's
curiosity Do tell me who this monster
of iniquity is, for, truth to say, | did
not catch his name when he was intro
duced TO me-
You didn't know who he was? l
thought not That's young Pearman-
the unmitigsted cad
80 that was Mr.. Pearman, was it,
remarked Maude, musingly. We'll, Gren-
vile, | don't think | should have danced
with him had | known who he was
but, you see, | didn't, and l cannot see
that 1t is of much consequence now. One
Is not obliged 10 recognize the partner of
ouadrille again unless one likes. you
know; and though III plead guilty to
finding him amusing, l don't think l wish
TO prosecute the acquaintance. But don It
you think it is getting time TO leave?
Mrs. Learmont. you are as good as gold. .
said Maude. turning to her chaperone,
waiting in this resigned manner for me.
However, I am quite at your disposal
now
Pray don't think of me: want you
to thoroughly enjoy your ball, and l am
quite willing TO look on at your valsing
for another hour. l have lots of people
to come and talk to me. you know
yes laughed Maude; Il am quite
aware that you have lots of old friends,
only too glad to have the chance of a
quiet chat with you, and know also that
yon would sit here and pinch yourself to
keep awake sooner than debar your god
daughter of five minutes qualification
bet | also have conscience. Go and see
about the carriage, Granville"
1t is very curious to watch what trifins
affairs influence the tenor of our lives
Maude Denison has deemed it of little
consequence that she has danced quad