Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-30

Thank you kindly" said FIodie,
but l don't really know what in the
world I'd do with you if I got you
Jonas stared at her as if she were
raving. you don't know what you're
taIkin' about! Don't you realize if you
marry me you'll get four million dol
lars? Lord, any other gal would just
jump at the chance to have the
spendin' O. that money"
Let EN- jump" said Flodie. That's
my advice, Mt Hassingbury; you take
a good jumper. And want to give
you tip She went up to him and
took him confdentially by the lapel Of
his coat. There will be three women
here tonight, and all of EN- can jump
like grasshopper5. Once they find out
you have money, and they'll jump at
the chance, you see! They'll jump all
over you'll"
Before the astonished Jonas could
reply, Alfred opened the door to lady
gorgeously arrayed in blue. Flodie
gave one look at her, then whispered:
There's the first one of EN- now!
Miss Gale" Then she stepped for
ward, shifting Transplant scornfuily,
and welcomed Rosamund.
An elaborate, painstaking picture Of
feminine frippery was Rosamund Gale.
She came in as If making a stage en-
trance. Something was to happen to-
night Rosamund was on the war
path.
She barely acknowledged Flodie's
greeting, or Jonas presence, but cast
hasty anxious glance about; then,
seeing no women, seemed to breathe
freer. where's HaIl?' she asked al
most Immediately.
"Oh, somewhere about, In with the
musicians probably" Flodie turned to
Jonas. "Mr. Hassingbury. Miss Gale!"
Jonas bent over her. why, now,
they's lot O. Gales down to Branford,
where I live. I wonder if you"
Tell Hall to hurry pleased" cried
Rosamund to Flodie. Flodie started
of, smiling, but Rosamund caught at
her arm and held her wait a min
ute, thought, Miss Fisher. listen!
Has nything-anything important
happened?"
What d'you mean?"
"Oh, l mean-well, nothing exciting,
has it?"
| Flodie reflected. why, I'm afraid
Alfred has spilled some salad on his
new dress suit, Miss Gale, If that's
what you mean?"
| Rosamund did not condescend to an
swer. She left haughtily and passed
hurriedly into the dressing room and
Invested herself Of her wraps. Jonas
| had but time to remark to Flodie, so
she's one of EN-, is she? Pretty gal,
by jiminy!" when she was out again,
and without noticing them, had gone
to the door of the reception room, and
looked in, scowling.
Here, the rugs we're all up and the
floor waxed for dancing. Three mu.
sicians were scraping and tuning their
instruments. Hall Bonistelle was in a
corner, arranging a vase of flowers
Rosamund darted in and swan up to
him. No scowl now; she was differ
ent creature, smiling, radiant, angelic
sailing on an air of gladness. She
seized Halls hand excitedly.
ooh, Hail." she exclaimed dramatic
ally, mas perfectly delighted! It's
all right, and you needn't worry g
moment longer! Aren't you glad?'
She hung on him fondly as if she ex
pected him to embrace her.
Hall had turned white Rosamund's
beauty had instantly disarmed him
He could no more have said the bruta
things he had contemplated than he
could have struck child. Weakly, he
procrastinated, fumbling her hand
Really" he managed to say. "Jove,
That's fne!"
We'll, why don't you kiss Tue, Hall 2
! Rosamunds eyes we're on the door
watching anxiously for Interruptions
! Flodie gazed in.
Hall looked over his shoulder, EN-
barrassed. "Oh, these musicians
don't want them to-say, wait till W,
can be alone!"
She stared at him in annoyed sur
prise, then gave another irritateC
glance at the door. The sound O
women's voices goaded her on. Non
sense! Why, I intend to announct
our engagement Immediately"
Terrorstricken, Hall exclaimed
"Oh, no. that won't do at all, Rosa
mund. really. Well have to wait a Iii
tie while-not tonight, anyway"
why. that's half the fun of bein;
engaged-talking about it" Then
after another quick look toward tn
office, she gazed up at him and presse,
his hand. I'VE are engaged, aren't NE
HaIl?"
''Oh, yes-certainly! Only"
Rosamund had an instant of triumph
and relief. 1t was all right, then. Sh
tossed her head as if in secret revolt
she would have her own way, see /
she didn't! Well" she said coldly
I'll wait while, if you insist. Only
should think you might look happie
about it. You act so funny!"
He was saved from having to repl,
by Jonas Hassingbury, who, glimpsini
the encounter. and impelled by Flodis
had plunged boldly forward to the res
cue.
Adam and Eve with the covering the.