The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-03-14

breathe. But what an Old wreck the
fatker isl
eyes" said Vinton, indiferently; ~
believe he is expected to die suddenly.
He wore out his wife nursing him about
FIVE years ago. She was a French wo-
man, which may account for the girls
style. Take care of yourself, and don't
fall through the bridge. Good night"
And Max Vinton opened his own gate.
Eugene Davenport went down the street
till he came to the bridge, just beyond
which stood his new dwelling. 1t was
long and partly covered, and, as he
neared it, he heard most dismal wall
ing. In the middle of the bridge he saw
child OF seven years, with one foot
caught between two old boards. Eu-
gene was very fond of children, and, as
he extricated the foot, he asked in the
gentlest tone of very sweet voice:
"Whose boy are you?"
A prolonged stare, and sudden ces-
sation of tears was his only answer.
Come" said Eugene, coaxingly, tell
me your name and will carry you home
on my shoulder"
"Tommy McMasters. What's yours?'
Eugene Davenport"
II was going to see you," announced
the youngster, as Eugene lifted him. A
light figure passed them.
40, Mr.. Davenport, have you found
Tommy? Mrs McMasters came over to
our house in perfect despair, and the
whole village is reused, looking for him. D
1t was Hilda who spoke. Her beautiful
black eyes looked up at him from under
the falling, waving locks, and her regu-
lar face was softened by the pale yellow
CLOUD" she wore around her head.
They walked back together; it was about
half a mile from the bridge to McMas-
ter's dwelling. Davenport talked to her
as he knew how to talk-a dangerous
mixture of poetry, cynicism, large chart
ty and knowledge of the world. They
had nearly reached the house when they
met Max Ninton.
Il see you have found the young
rogue" he said. a have just got Mrs.
McMasters safe home"
They went in to restore the lost boy to
his mother. Although his habit of run
ming away was confirmed, he had never
been away so long before; and the scold-
ing he received was not so severe as it
might have been had not Davenport
been perfect stranger, carrying off his
Standardization, however, with the easy
grace peculiar to him. The whole eight
children overwhelmed him with caresses,
and it was some time before the party
left.
AZ am going to walk up with you,
Hilda," said Max. as they reached the
street.
"Then good night, Miss Averell.
That boy was no light weight" said
Davenport, and went in the opposite
direction.
Hilda,' said Max, gravely, "did you
walk up from the bridge with Daven-
port?''
Yes" said Hilda, startled Why%
81 don't want you to walk alone with
him in the evening again. His reputa-
ton is that of very fast man, and a
Irritation with him"
az don't think you have any right,
Max, to" she began rather resentfully,
tossing the hair off her forehead. But
he interrupted her eagerly:
"Won't you give me the right, Hill
da?"
What was she to say7 She had always
admired Max Vinton, but in spite of her
deep eyes she had never felt thrill of
passion in her life. With her heart full
of sisterly affection which she took for
love, she gave him the right to forbid
her walking alone at night with Eugene
Davenport. At her gate they parted,
and she ran into the house, frightened at
the long pressure of his burning lips on
hers. That night, as the twins lay in
each others arms, Haidee heard full
account of her sisters adventures. She
lay quite still, only saying in gentle
voice, Mr.. Davenport seems bright and
agreeable" Not word of Max.
The days and weeks flew on. Hilda
was quietly happy, and received con-
CALCULATIONS (for the news spread like
wildfire) with quaint grace eminently
becoming. Haidee began furious fir
tation with Eugene. But here the vii
lage was mystifed, for at cursory
glance they never could tell which sister
it was who walked and drove and sang
with Mr.. Davenport, and it began to be
whispered that Max had reason to be
jealous. Eugene had hint of this and
laughed. Max began to be miserable.
Davenport's visits to the Averell house
were so frequent that vague warnings
given to Hilda by her betrothed gave her
no cause to deny any explicit accusa-
ton. She did say to Haidee one day.
am afraid you will get into trouble,
dear"
But Haidee pouted and said sharply:
81 don't interfere between you and
I Nov hnuo r.nht 70 no
tween me and my amusements." Her
sister said no more.
One day Grace VInton went into the
McMasters nursery to give long prom
ised dolls dress to number five, and this
was the sight that met her eyes: Tommy
sitting in chair, with the youngest girl,
number seven by his side, driving two
chairs for horses. Jumping to the floor,
he handed out number seven, and kiss
ing her affectionately, said: "Good-by,
my darling! That's what Gerrie says
TO Miss Ayerell," he added, looking up
at Grace. Me and Johnny Mitchell
was playing in the next yard, and we
saw him; didn't we, Lenaw Number
seven nodded. Grace, outraged went
straight home and told her brother. 1T
may pe sut, IeultulbeT. VIII WALL
little longer" he said, with a set face.
But things came to crisis sooner than he
expected. The story was all over the
town, and people wandered what he
would do.
The next evening Eugene Davenport
stood at the heads of two fast horses in
front of the Averell gate. The house
was quite dark. Old Mr. Averell had
been in bed for some time. Max, who
could not make up his mind how to open
his subject, was at home being petted by
Grace. Hilda. bare-headed, for the
night was very warm had gone down to
the river bank at the back of the house
10 wonder over MaI's odd behavior
Eugene whistled softly A figure with
flushed face and shining eyes came from
under dropping tree to meet him.
They came up this morning, and are in
splendid condition. VIII YOU Gomez"
She shrank back
A." on are not afraid" ha sa;d with