Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-03-23
CHAPTER TX. (Continucd.)

Betty had been making tea for Aunt
Selma, and of course when she heard
us up there, she followed, tray and all,
and we drank Aunt Selina's tea and
had the first really nice time of the
day Bella had come UP, too, but she
was still standofish and queer, and
she stood leaning against a chimney
and staring out over the river. After
little Mr., HARRISON put down his cup
and went over to her, and they talked
quite confdentially for long time.
thought it bad taste in Bella, under
the circumstances, after snubbing Dal-
las and Max, and Of course treating
Jim like the dirt under her feet, to
turn right around and be lovely to
Mr.. HARRISON. It was hard for Jim.
Max came and sat beside me, and
Flanagan, who had been sent down
for more cups, passed tea, putting the
tray on top of the chimney Jim was
sitting grumpily on the roof, with his
feet folded under him, playing Garfield
in the shadow Of the parapet, buying
the deck out of one pocket and putting
his winnings in the other He was
watching Bella too, and she knew it,
and she strained a point to captivate
Mr.. HARRISON. Any one could see that
And that was the picture that came
but in the next mornings papers, tea
cups, cards and all. For when some
one looked up, there were four news
paper photographers on the roof of the
next house, and they had the imperti-
hence to thank us!
Flanagan had seen Bella by that
time, but as he still didn't understand
the situation, things were just the
same But his manner to me puzzled
me; whenever he came near me he
winked prodigiously, and during all
the search he kept one eye on me,
and seemed to be amused about some
thing.
When the rest had gone down to
dress for dinner, which was being sent
IN, thank goodness, l still sat on the
parapet and watched the darkening
river. l felt terribly lonely, all at
once, and sad. There wasn't any one
any nearer than father, in the West,
9r mother in Bermuda, who really
eared a rap whether | sat on that par
apet all night or not, or who would
Sc sorry if | leaped to the dirty bricks
Of the next door-yard-not that l
meant to- of course
The lights came out across the
river, and made purple and yellow
Btreaks on the water, and one of the
motor-boats came painting back to the
yacht club, coughing and gasping as if
1t had overdone. Down on the street
automobiles were starting and stop
ping, cabs rolling, doors slamming, all
the maddening, delightful hustle of
people who are foot-free to dine out,
to dance, to go to the theater, to do
any of the thousand possibilities of a
long February evening. And above
them l sat on the roof and cried. Yes,
cried
was reused by some one coughing
Just behind me. and I tried to straight
en- my face before I turned. 1t was
Flanagan, his double row of brass
buttons cleaning in the twilight.
Excuse me, miss" he said affably,
but the boy from the hotel has left
~ AAAiAASA Oi NilS uOtA oLSp anu uAif
the cowardly little divili Whatu l do
with il? I went to Mrs Wilson. but
she says its no concern Of hers Elan
nigan was evidently bewildered.
You'd better Keep it warm, Elan
nigan, I replied. You needn't wait;
I'm coming" But he did not go
'.If-if you'll excuse me, miss" he
said, don't you think ye'd better tell
them?"
Tell them what?"
The whole thing-the joke he
said confdentiaIly, coming closer.
ITS been great sport, now, hasn't it?
But I'm afraid they will get on to it
soon. and-some of them might not be
agreeable. A pearl necklace is a pearl
necklace. miss, and the lady's wild"
What dc you mean?" l gasped
You don't think-why, Flanagan"
He merely grinned at me and thrust
his hand down in his pocket. When
he brought it up he had Bella's brace
let on his palm, glittering in the faint
light
where did you get it?" Between
relief and the absurdity of the thing. l
was almost historical. But Flanni-
gan did not give me the bracelet; in
stead. it struck me his tone was sud
denly severe.