Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-08-03

sible,' interposed DR.. DeveauX Il
should not like to be responsible for
any man on foot in such a storm as
this"
"rn go myself" said Gormly quick
ly.
You, Mr.. Gormly!" exclaimed Mrs.
Haldane. Why, we couldn't think Of
such a thing. The danger!'
Madam, have been afoot in worse
storms than this" he answered, when
| was a mere boy in the far west"
1t was the first intimation anybody
from New York had had as to any
period of Gormly's life outside of New
York, and one of the company at least
prtcked up his ears at this remark
and listened attentively.
I'VE couldn't think of allowing you
to do so,' said Miss Haldane.
Il suppose that pair you have could
hardly take us over?" questioned Liv-
ingstone Haldane
Il am afraid not" answered Gormly.
They have been driven rather hard
today, and they are light pair at
| DeSL, DIS you notice.
Well, we are thrust upon you. then,
marooned as 1t were
Il hope you won't find my house the
| typical desert island" answered CORN
ly, smiling. Indeed, l scarcely know
what the resources of the establish
ment are, having catered into posses
sion only today; but whatever they
are, they are at your service"
There's no help for it, I suppose -
! answered Haldane somewhat gloomi-
ly. Il guess you will have to keep US
until morning"
Think how happy you make a lone
ly old bachelor" returned Germly, ''by
being his Christmas guests. And if
you will accept this situation, as in
deed l fear you must, [ shall make ar
! engagements so that you can be taken
to your own place on Christmas morn
ing. Let me consult my butler, who
was Mr.. Goodrich's major domo before
bought the place, and see what can
be done"
A brief conversation with that func-
tionary threw some little cheer over
| the situation. GormIy's own ward
robe, which had been sent down,
would amply supply the men with
whatever they needed, and the butler
| impaired the cheering news that the
lOdgekeeper was married man with
two grown daughters, and he had no
doubt that such things as the women
required might be secured from them
Send at once" said GormIy quick
ly, and ask Mrs. Bullen to come up
to the house and be of what service
she can to the ladies. How are we
| off for bedrooms?"
Plenty of them, sir, and all ready
for guests.
We'll, see that they are prepared,
and have Mrs. BulIen here immediate
| ly."
As the butler went off to attend to
these orders, Gormly reentered the
/ room and found the whole party COM
fOrtably gathered about the fire. He
explained that he had found a wom-
an OF the place. the lodgekeeper's
wife; that he had sent the station
wagon for her; and that she would be
present doubtless within a half hour
with such indispensable articles of at
tire as might serve to make the wom-
en- guests at least comfortable.
If you were only in communication
with your shop, \ : Gormly," said Mrs.
Haldane-and whether she meant to
be offensive or not. Gormly could not
| tell-''we would lack nothing"
L am sorry for your sake, madam,
that l am not. AS it is, we shall have
to do our best with the limited re-
sources at hand"
Conversation ran on desultoriIy this
way for short time, when the butler
announced the arrival of Mrs. Bullen