Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-07

I
| the table and gracefully lighted it,
pulled out the smoke, and yawned.
AS she drew in her line thus, his
| frenzied struggles were getting short
er, but more violent. "Oh hang it all,
Carolyn, you know was only fooling,
Of course! Why, we were laughing
| all the time, you know that! I had no
idea you'd ever accept me! Do you
mean to tell me that you are in love
with me?" he asked bitingly.
| Not at all! see no need of lying
about it, whatever. But you certainly
! do amuse me-" Her eyes danced.
well. I should say it was hardly
! enough to accept a man simply be-
cause he amused you!" This was the
best Hall could do, now; he was get
ting winded.
"Oh, yes" she replied jauntily, "on
the contrary, I'm quite sure that /
! shall want to be amused all my life
especially when I'm married"
Heavens! Do you consider that
we are engaged"
She looked at him with surprised
eyes. Her fishing was approaching a
climax. She began to wind in her line
to short length, speaking incisively.
See here, Hall, you're not trying TO
| get out Of it, or anything, are you?"
Hall gasped, wearied with the duel
| Now, Carolyn, let me explain just
how it is-Tll have to tell you some
thing-I want to-hang it-you make
it so damned hard for me-what l
mean is"
Carolyn rose and looked him in the
eye. She laid her hand on him; and,
soft as was its touch, he felt as if it
were gripping him like a handcuff.
Hall, see here! Are you trying to
get out of it, or aren't you! Just tell
me that"
"Why-why, think you're carrying
the joke little too far, Carolyn, that's
au-honestly l dol"
Carolyn now had him at the edge of
the boat. She jerked him in with a
laugh. MY dear old Hail." she said,
and her voice was honey-sweet, I'm
carrying 1t only far enough to want to
wear that ring you bought today for
me. Where is it?" She actually be-
gan to feel in his waistcoat pocket.
He backed off in terror. 81 haven't
any ring!"
Carolyn smiled. well. never mind
We don't want anyone to know just
yet, anyway, do we? Rings can wait
Now come over here and sit down,
and I'll tell you exactly what we're 60
ing to do" She proceeded to lead
him, too dazed to resist, toward the
couch where they sat down together.
Nov be brave" she said, smiling
I'll let you hold my hand. You do
just what 1 say, and you'll never re
greet it. l hate engagements; they
have neither the excitement of court
ship, nor the satisfaction of matri
! mony. So, at just nine o'clock tomor
row morning, you are going to call Oh
me and we'll toddle down to a justice
of the peace. Well just cut out the
white veil and downcast eyes anC
everything. All you'll have to do is tc
put gold band on my finger; and my
share will be to say I Will and become
|
teri"
Hall was staring toward the door
my cousin Jonas" he said.
oh, bother!" Carolyn's eyes shot
; fire. Just as we want to arrange
everything"
Jonas Hassingbury, tall and gaunt
eating a lettuce sandwich, stroIIed in
as cool and self-possessed as the mos
, experienced cotillion leader in town
He was perfectly sure of himself
without wealth, or power or socia
training, he was blessed with an ego
ism that king might have envied
I Jonas had never been embarrassed i
his life.
/ Hall looked at him, for the first time
< with relief, and rose.
T Miss Dallys," he said, "let me pre-
j sent my cousin, Mr.. Hassingbury"
7 Jonas put the sandwich behind hi
T. back, and bowed. Carolyn looked VI
at him, annoyed.
t "Dallys?" Jonas queried, ''neve
S heerd O. that name before, to m,
D knowledge. What be We, Portuguese?
i With the grace of a veteran, b
b dropped down beside her on the couch
r At any other time Carolyn woul
r have welcomed his quaint charm. Blu
/ her eyes were now for Hall, and sh
t was anxious. Her answer was vague.
; Jonas, however, did not appear t
notice it. His work was plain H
u had to make himself attractive, an
u get rid of Hall. He launched forth
d therefore, on a description of the tow
5 of Branford while Carolyn yawned BIZ
" hind her fan.
5 At the first pause Hall broke in. ''B
iove, Carolyn, I've got to get som
!. photographs in my room promised t
a show Mr.. Doremus! Cousin Jonas wi
take care of you all right, Carolyn
Y, He's a great man for the Iadies!" an
u with this slid out Of range of her prt
test.
n Carolyn pulled herself together t
d make the best of it This yokel mus
r be got rid Of at once. She leaned Il
il ward him with ardor.
lie "Oh, Mr.. Hassingbury, do you reau
4, think I'm pretty? You must hay
,r known so many beautiful women-i
Branford!"
= Yes, that's right" said Jonas, wit
-~oS~~~~~~~~o~~o~o-~o~o-~-
| appointed. When commencement da