Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-02-04
CHAPTER yIv-fContfnued.l

CHAPTER XIV Continued.)
That afternoon Maude strolled out into
the grounds She wandered up one OF the
grassy vistas through the sea of laurels
until she arrived at pond-a pond all
covered with great large-leaved water
lilies; and by the edge of that pond
Maude sat down, and, resting her head
on her hand, began to think. 1t was one
Of those warm sunshiny days we are occa-
sionaly blessed with in April. She
thought very sadly of the life before her.
OF course it was her duty to save Glinn
to her parents. Why was duty always
made so hard in this world? All 1t was
cruel of Gren TO tell her he loved her
Just when they were to separate forever.
Maude slept-she dreamt and she pic
tured to herself that she was drowning
in some big lake; she was going down
down ever so far, and suddenly she
casped a spar of some kind, and felt that
she was saved. Then big brown man
with fierce red eyes threatened her and
struck at her, and just as she was about
to let go, the big brown man suddenly
vanished, and Granville Rose stood in
his place, caught her by the hand, and
drew her to him. She fell into his arms ;
and as he bent over he kissed her Maude
sat up, and turned over her dream in
her mind. 1t eheered her. She thought
it foretold the triumph Of Gren over
Pearman and everything all light and
sunshine for the future.
But Sam Pearman, in the meanwhile,
loses no time in prosecuting his suit
Difidence is not one of his failings, and
in such mock courtship as this there is
little fear of the result. Before week
had gone by he was formally engaged
to Maude Denison, and the discussion of
when the wedding shall take place is pre-
eminent between the high contracting par
ties. Maude listens, and assents to every
thing in quiet, Estless way. She treats
her betrothed with calm courtesy, but
avoids all occasion of being left alone
with him. So far, Sam Pearman can
boast of receiving but scant favors from
the hands of his bride-elect. Her cheek
Is as yet innocent of his caresses, and a
warm pressure of the hand the extent of
his achievements.
No news-not sign of Grenville Rose ;
and YEARLY Maude commenced going
through all the ordeal of preparing the
trOusseau. They were to be married the
first week in May.
But one morning groom came over
in hot haste from MannersIey with few
lines for the squire from Sam Pearman,
TO say that his father was dead. The
son had told them day or two before
that the old man was ailing. but had had
no idea that there was much the matter.
Three or four days illness, then infiam-
nation set in, and old lawyer Pearman
was gone to his rest. That ancient fisher
would never angle more, and Samuel his
son, reigned in his stead.
Put off the wedding. Nell, for n
month or two, of course said the squire,
as he broke the news to his wife, 10Th
erwise it's perhaps for the best. l can't
pretend to ~feel any intense grief about
old Pearman, and his departure leaves
Sam and Maude all free to enter upon
Mannersley at once"
Mrs. DeniSon showed a wisdom on the
occasion seldom evinced. She said moth
ing, for the simple reason she had nothing
20 say
AS for Sam Pearman, he bore his be-
reavement with tolerable composure.
Sorry for the old father" he muttered.
"He was clever man, every bit of him
lie could play with these swells, and
manage EN- in a way nobody else l ever
saw could. He was very good to me, too.
always. | shall never have the head he
had if | live a hundred years. Lucky
don't want it," Then he fell into brown
study. Yes, put my marriage off a bit
hum. How lucky Coriander is entered
in my name for the Two Thousand, and
not his. Fancy his being disqualified, af-
ter the trial of last week ~