Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-08-10

seemed quite far away now. The first
few days of our rapid intimacy had
passed, and now she was as much
stranger to me as on the first meeting
In the pines. I said nothing about her
coming to the farm; I don't know why
Somehow, [ was piqued. I wished her
to make the first move. In some way,
it was all due to my asking her to
choose the paint for my dining room,
and that seemed to me ridiculous.
There was no sun to wake me in the
morning, so that I slept till half-past
six. Outside the rain was pouring
steadily down, and 1 found Bert re-
joicing, for it was badly needed. After
breakfast l waylaid Miss Goodwin.
mo work on the trellis today" said
I, swallowing my pique; $50 I'm going
to fix up the south room. I'm going to
make twin fires out Of some of the
nice, fragrant apple wood you haven't
sawed for me, and hang the Hiroshiges,
and unpack the books, and have an ele-
CANT time-if you don't make me do it
alone"
The girl shot a look around Mrs.
Bert's sitting room, where a small
owl stood on the mantel under a glass
case and a transparent pink muslin
sack filed with burst milkweed pods
was draped over crayOn portrait of
Bert as young man. followed her
glance and then our eyes met.
Just the same, they are dear, good
souIs,' she smiled.
"Of course" I answered. "But to
sit here on a cold, rainy day! You may
read by the fire while 1 work. Only
please conner
MAY 1 read The Foundation Of the
Nineteenth Century, Doctor Upton?"
she said.
''You may read the dictionary, if you
wish,'' l replied.
She went to get her raincOat. It was
cold out of doors, and the rain drove
in our faces as we splashed down the
road. The painters had made fire in
the kitchen range, and as we stepped
in the warmth greeted us in curious,
friendly way. [ brought several logs
Of dead apple wood into the big room
and soon had the twin hearths cheer
full with dancing flames. Then [ went
back to the shed, and brought the two
cushions which had been on my win
dOW-seats at college, to place them on
the settle. But as | came into the
room, instead Of finding the girl wait
ing to sit by the fire. I saw her with
sleeves rolled up washing the west
window. Her body was outlined
against the light, her hair making an
aura about her head. AS she turned
little l caught the saucy grace Of her
she came Gown &c breakfast and found
porch.
I'm going to take one-with your
said |. 81 want to see the country.
too.''
She smiled a little, and picked a
lilac bud holding it to her nose. She
don't know whether [ got the sundial
beds right or not Won't you please
come back to tell me? Or am I stupid
again. and mustn't you advise me
about that?'
Her eyes twinkled a little "You are
still very stupid" she said, "but per
haps l will consent to give my invalu-
able advice on this important subject"
"Goodp' I cried. "And We'll build
some more trellis if your hands are bet
ter
My hands are all right" she said,
with the faintest emphasis on the noun,
which made a variety of perplexing in
terpretations possible and kept me
silent as helped her over the wall in
to Berts great cauliflower field, and we
tramped through the soft soil toward
the house.