Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-01-07
CHAPTER VIII

Seldom did eye rest on a prettier pic.
ture than was made by bonnie Maude
Denison this early April morning. The
close-titting French grey merino dress
with the plain linen collar and cuffs, set
off her beautifully nodded figure to per.
lection, while the cerise neck-ribbon just
relieves and gives warmth to her some,
what neutral-tinted robe. Moreover, that
she had just returned from a successful
raid on the conservatory, snow-white
cameila and its blood-red sister couuet-
tlshly twisted in her glossy brown hair,
sufficiently attested-those crown Jewels
OF the floral world looking more in place
now than when adjoining their parent
stems.
Coco morning, sweet mother mine, y
cried Maude, as Mrs Denison entered
the breakfast room Only look at the
plumber I've brought you! | found old
Judkins' flowers unguarded this morning
ana l gathered and plucked. Isn't that a
bouquet. mamma, to greet you in April?''
Yes, love-gloriouS. No need TO fell
me JudSins was away, or never would
his pets have been despoiled in this wise. -
NO, cross old thing He thinks flow
their
stems, and not to wear or decorate
rooms"
The entrance of Harold Denison here
checked conversation. He nodded a care
less Good morning to his daughter, and
then plunged moodily into his correspond
ence. He found nothing there, appar-
emily. to raise his spirits. At length.
thrusting his letters into his pockets. he
rose.
Well he said, things look blacker
and hlacker It's no use struggling the
sooner my scheme is tried. the better. Do
what you promised yesterday. DELAY is
useless
But, Harold" pleaded his wife
as the ever-ready tears rose to her ewes.
Don't be foolish. It's our ONLY chance
Understand" he said, crossing over 70 his
wife's chair, and lowering his voice 50
that his daughter could not catch his
wordS-"just put it before her in com
mon sense way this morning. How can
you tell she will object She can do os
she likes about it. | have no wish to
coerce her i'll any way; but, mind. tell her
the whole truth. 1t is only fair the pro
posal should be laid before her. III come
up TO your room after luncheon, and Won
can tell me how she takes it - and. turn
ing on his heel, Harold Denison left the
room.
What's the matter, my mother" said
Maude, she stole TO Mrs. Denison,S
side, and, passing her arms round her
neck. laid her fair, fresh young cheek
against the pale, worn. troubled foca
More of these dreadful money miseries
l suppose but don't look so fearful over
IT. Papa looks so gloomy. and You so
sad, it's enough to brighten poor me. Even
II he has lost some more money, | SUD-
pose we shall always have enough 10
live upon and if you and |. mother, can't
have new dresses for everso long. that's
nothing TO be very sad about"
| am afraid Maude Denison is display-
ing an ignorance of the world. and A dis
regard to the vanities and gewgaws there
Of that may seem a little high-strained .
but recollect that she is but eighteen.
that the Nmbinster was her first ball, and
that, owing to her fathers pride and
straitened circumstances, she has lived a
very secluded life.
Few were the strangers that came with
In the gates of Glinn of late years. Har-
he could do so with all the old lavish
PROFESSIONALISM prodigal hospitality of
former times which had entailed such bit
terness in his present daily bread. His
wife. naturally an extremely sensitive
woman. shrunk also from mixing in So
ciety in much more humble and modest
way than she had been wont to do. She
was not of the temperament to face the
half-whispered comments and appraised
eyebrows of her country neighbors Poor
thing l hear he has run through every
thing: even the carriage horses have to
be put down. Remarks of this kind
were past her endurance, and so ii was
that since she left school, some two years
ago Maude had led a very secluded life
True, many an old friend of the Deni-
sons had offered to take care of the girl
to various gaieties in the county. even il
they could not induce Mrs. Denison to
come TO their houses and chaperone her
own daughter; but all such invitations
had been met with a brief though cour-
teous refusal Poor lady she had more
than once pleaded in her darling's behalf
but. wrapped in his own selfish pride
Harold Denison said fercely, he would
be patronized by no one
And so Maude grew up like some wild
flower, though not born to bloom and
blush unseen" For are there not already
two who would fain pluck the wild flower
and gather it to their bosoms if they may
Did Maude know she was handsome
OF course she did. She wanted no Nmin.
ster ball to tell her that. What CIR