Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-05-16

was 2 RAPID pad man ln06eQt WlO
enjoyed any advantage over him when
it came to drawing his gun" His
Skill and daring had been unques-
toned, ne had made a name for him
self which still abides, especially in
the mountains where things yet re-
NAMED almost as primitive as they
had been from the beginning.
His fame had been accompanied by
fortune, too; the cattle upon a thou
sand hills were his, the treasures of
mines Of fabulous richness were at
his command. He lived in Denver in
one of the greatest of the bonanza
palaces on the hills of that city, con-
fronting the snow-capped mountain
range. For the rest he held stock in
all sorts Of corporations, was a di-
rector in numerous concerns and SO
On-the reader can supply the usual
catalogue. they are all alike. He had
married late in life and was the father
of two little girls and a boy, the old
est sixteen and the youngest ten.
Going east. which he did not love.
on an infrequent business trip, he
had renewed his acquaintance with
his brother and the one eve lamb OF
his brothers. flock, tQ-wit, the afOre-
mentioned Enid. He aad been struck,
as everybody was, BY the splendid
personality of the girl and had striven
earnestly to dIsabuse her mind of the
prevalent idea that there was nothing
much worth while on the continent
beyond the Allegheny except scenery.
What you need, Enid, is a ride
across the plains, a sight Of real noun
tains, beside which these little foot
hills in Pennsylvania that people back
here make so much OF wouldn't be
noticed. You want to get some of the
spirited, glorious freedom Of the west
into your conservative straightIaced
little body"
In my day, Robert" reproVtngly re-
marked his brother, Ends father,
freedom was the last thing a young
lady gently born and delicateIy
nurtured would have coveted"
Your day is passed, Steve" re-
turned the younger Maitland with
shocking carelessness. Freedom is
what every woman desires now, espe-
ciaIly when she is married. You are
not in love with anybody, are you,
Enfd?"
with not SOUL" frankly replied
the girl, greatly amused at the col
loquy between the two men, who,
though mothered by the same woman.
were as dissimiIar as-what shall L
say, the east is from the west? Let
it go at that
That's all right" said her uncle,
relieved apparently. Il will take you
out west and introduce you to some
real men and"
IF I thought it possible" tnterposed
Mr.. Stephen Maitland in his most
austere and dignified manner, that
my daughter" with a perceptible en-
phasis on the my" as If he and not
the daughter we're the principal being
under consideration, should ever SO
far forget what belongs to her station
in life and her family as TO allow her
affections to become engaged by any
one who, from his birth and upbring
ing in the northumberland atmos-
phere of the western country would
be persona non grata to dignifed so
ciety of this ancient city and"
Nonsense interrupted the young
er brother bIuntly. You have lived
here wrapped up in yourselves and
your dinky little town so long that
mental asphyxiation is threatening
you"
I will thank you, Robert" said his
brother with something approaching
the manner in which he would have
repealed a blasphemy, mot to refer to
Philadelphia as-er-what was your
most extraordinary word?"
'Dinky,' If my recollection serves"
'Ah, precisely. | am not sure as
to the meaning Of the term, but