Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-07-23

friendly and bright spoken. but some
way--well, wish he hadn't come"
Don't worry = he shan't make
trouble for anybody John said stout
~, though In heart not quite as ease
1is aunt passed on with sigh OF
relief. The morning service was over
the intermission was fairly a-buzz
with hospitality. Yearly the basket
dinner was sort of housewifely COM
petition. Though all baskets were
spread upon common tables free to
everybody, those who had fetched
them made point of seeing that
their own friends got the best of their
own choice edibles. Also that the
poorer folk. and especially the county
charges, were not sighted. John
Speer and his spinster aunts were not
singular in their determination that
Gods poor should be considered when
they had come to the services in Gods
house
Waiting upon them, looking ont for
the small boys. with side efforts for
Aunt Martha and Aunt Mary, kept
John so occupied he could do no more
than smile at Norma, until, everybody
fed to repletion, the crowd began to
scatter and clot for intimate gossip.
Lenox Gordon had momentarily left
her-John almost ran to her, caught
her arm and drew her apart, saying
hushedly: Tell me the trouble,
deari"
Il can't, III mustn't-but oh, l do
wish l could. Norma answered
breathlessly.
John smiled at her. 81 am sure you
will tell me-ghether or no you can"
he said Out with it, At once"
'I-I--don't know-how to begin"
Norma said flushing a little.
Its about your cousin" John said
with decision, not interrogation.
She started. How do you know"
she asked.
Never mind" John retorted. Tell
me what he wants"
''He-wants me to--to-marry him
tie shudder, half closing her eyes.
John frowned. Very naturally he
dces," he said. but why such sud-
denness and haste?"
Il ought not 10 tell you,' Norma
said wistfully. But, OIL am so UNI
happy yet-there seems no other
way out"
"Out Of what?" John demanded,
his breathing short.
TROUBLED" Norma whispered.
Trouble of the worst. Lenox has
used money-not his own-speculated
and lost it. Not so very much money
but more than he can get any
other way"
''The curl" John snapped through
shut teeth. so he would beggar
you to save himself"
mo! there would be something
left-quite half my money" Norma
interrupted breathlessly. Il can't
stand by and see shame fall on my
blood--my mothers name. He says
if l will only save him. he will give
me back my freedom-after little
and work the rest of his life-work
honestly, 10 pay me.
81 have a better plan" John inter-
rupted, his brow clearing. Il see his
point-married you come straight
into your fortune, no matter who your
husband may be. To save your pride,
and also to save a man who may not
be wholly lad. I'm quite willing to
sacrifice myself Marry me-and |
engage to see Lenox through.
ooh! If only you will take mel
wanted 50 to ask you" Norma
painted, her eyes shining star-wise.
John had much ado to keep from
kissing her on the spot. "You are
coward he said gravely, though his
eyes danced You know it is leap
year"
$50 1t is-but l had forgotten"
Norma flashed at him. Nov you
mention it, everything is easy. Mr..
John Speer, when will you marry
me?"
AS soon as we can find the pre-
siding elder" John said, catching her
hand quite openly and leading her
away.
And this is how it happened that
the basket meeting had sensation
Jobn and Norma stood up in the face
Of 1t, and were married before after
noon service.
Ton of Goa.