Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-12-28


Of their applause I even scared to
original heights. In the parlance of
the stage, made hit In fact when
one o'clock came and with it the in
timation from Mrs Dace that she
must depart, 1t was only after a little
sigh that reached my ears alone, and
q fash from her wonderful eyes that
quickly hid themselves behind the
screening Iashes as I looked deep into
them. OF the perpendicular bill paid
my half without pang, secretly philo-
sophized by the knowledge that the
gods won't allow US TO be in their
debt, and when man wines and dimes
with woman he must pay for II with
the glistening jewels of his brow.
We prepared to depart
Edwards paved the way for me.
Mrs. Dace lives at the Arcadia. which
is not more than a mile from your
house. You can take her there, step
back in your carriage and be home ten
minutes later. Miss Lyddon and I
go in another direction, and leave you
to your pleasant homeward ride. OF
course We must all meet again. It
will require another evening to talk
this one over
We babe them good night and hail
ing a carriage, I assisted my compan-
ion into it. The rather long ride
homeward still fingers in my mind as
a pleasant dream. The gentle sway
ing Of the carriage as the rubber tires
rolled noiselessly over the boulevard
lulled US into half condolences. She
told me quite few things about her
self. Her husband, an Englishman,
had been in some diplomatic service
in the orient, had died a year before,
and she had now come back to her
birthplace on matters of business.
UnreserVedly, she seemed to accept
me as a thorough man of the world,
and even did me the fattery TO repeat
some of my witticisms of the evening
and laugh over them for moment
the second time. When I say that
I was charmed I think I have ex-
pressed it.
In front of the formidable entrance
to the building where she resided I
assisted her to alight, and she thrust
out her fingers which I took eagerly.
The physical contact thrilled me from
head to toe and the enchantment of
her smile enthraIIed me. You have
entertained me delightfully."-. I feel
fiattered to have met you" she muir
INJURED. And since you are a busy
man by day, hope you will call and
see me some evening when you can
think of nothing else to do You can
reach me over the phone at almost
any time. l hope you will not forget
me-"
That anyone once seeing her could
ever forget her! Nothing could be
more ridiculous than the thought. l
lightly laughed the idea to scorn as I
bent over her hand. Mrs Dace, the
old Roman general reported to his
emperor, I came, saw, [ conquered
To you [ must report somewhat differ
quered' l will pay you my tributes
very soon. Until then life will be a
necessity instead Of pleasure
She tripped up the entrance steps
and from their top sent me futter
of her handkerchief anu 3 flashing
smile that made my blood leap as
she vanished behind the heavy door.
Back into the carriage I climbed and
went home in an exhilaratfon Of spir-
its that the wine did not account for.
The seine had been cast and was be
ing held wide to receive. Unsuspi-
ciously the fish wiggled on
The next day I happened to see
Bruce. In the course of our converse
ton I casually asked him what he
knew of my companion of the night
before, and he began digging his fin
gers into his head as though trying to
scratch out an answer Presently it
came:
Lets see don't know that I can
tell you very much-you know 1
never paid any particular attention to
her." he began in a quizzical glance
at me. Still, if you will agree to
keep it a family secret, 1 might re-
member a few things. Promise, hon
est Injun?'
Honest Injun"
We'll, then, here goes. Matte Mad
den was born in this town about
thirty years ago of poor but dishonest
parents. But she was a beauty even
as a girl and people forgave her par
entage on that account. She eloped
out of school with a more or less &C
count EngIishman named Dace, who
afterwards got into the service of his
government over in India or some 9TH
er outlandish place on the back of the
map. He died with his boots on
How was he killed." I inquired.
Bruce grew trifie more serious.
'Well, now, that is something I am
no authority upon. / can only repeat
to you in confidence what I have
heard and read But the report has it
that it happened In disagreement
with a Russian nobleman over her
one of those cheerful little affairs
that sometimes occur out that way,
you know; referee and seconds to the
front; wine and jealousy in the back
ground; moon in the distance-you
understand Anyway 1t made rip
ping good story for the journals. Next
thing l heard of her she was back
here. I hope you are not going to
make a fool of yourself over her"
His general tone had slighefS irri-
tated me, but the last remark positive
ly nettled mo; think one in the
family is enough" retorted. But he
slipped the thrust aside in his usual
smooth way, laughing.
81 guess that's right. Come to
think of it, I never did know you to
make a fool of yourself over anything.
That does seem to be my specially,
doesn't it? But while I give you
credit for having a better balanced
head than I have, I'll tell you what
l do in certain cases. When get up
have a gladstone revival OF trunk
smashing stories with modern frills
and attachments"