Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-02-21


Vane renews his attentions to
Queenie, but sue, from some perverse
instinct of coquetry, bestows all her
favors upon the colonel, whose grave
aspect would hardly prove attractive
to children in general. Yet it melts
into kindly smile, as, lifting the lit
tie one on his knee, he chances from
her face to that of the mother, older
only by some eighteen years, and
recall the days when Nina Forester
had sat as confidently on the knee of
the shy young cornet.
You will let me scull you up the
river, Mrs. Fairfax" says Vane, as
he puts down his teacup. Il have
not forgotten" (here his voice takes a
more tender inaexion) "our last ex-
petition to Hampton Court"
Mrs Fairfax looks doubtfully to-
ward her other guest, who somewhat
stffly observes; Don't let me be any
hindrance to your plans. Or perhaps
you will allow me to take an oar in
your service"
Vane's face darkens, but the widow
claps her hands and answers gayly
Capital 1t would really have been
nard work for one alone in this
heat.
So Queenie runs to fetch her
mothers hat, but at the last moment
finds the charms Of favorite kittens
society irresistible and elects to re-
main on terra tirma herself
Vane pulls stroke, and the boat
glides smoothly away from the emer-
aid bank and out into the CLASSY ex-
panse Of water, amid scores of others
gayly laden with similar freight, and
looking as ifplaying part in some hol-
iday scene.
This seems very hard on me, -
murmurs Vane, bending forward, so
that his words are audible to his fair
steerer only. My pleasant afternoon
all spoiled because"
Because you are foolish, self
willed boy" answered the little wom-
an, who, albeit for some years his
! junior, sometimes liked to play at
maternal airs Come, shake off your
fit of blues be agreeable and stay and
dine with us.
"With us Are you going to invite
that fellow tool"
Certainly am He is one of my
very oldest friends'-C'old enough 7"
grumbles Vane)-'and l have not
seen him for years We have
heaps of things to say to one an
other"
"Taen you will certainly go through
them better uninterrupted, y says Sir
Reginald, in a spiteful soto voice
Then aloud: Il am awfully sorry,
Mrs Fairfax but | have just remem-
bered that | have to dine out tonight.
| am afraid l must ask you to land
me at Surbiton, so that can get home
by train. Steer more to the right
please; you are running us into that
barge"
What are you growing nervous3'
And again that sweet, clear voice
rings out, and Vane grinds his teeth
as he feels, rather than sees, that a
grim smile is overspreading the face
behind him.
When Surbiton is reached at length
he scarcely attempts to disguise his re-
lief as he springs ashore,
Good Bye Many thanks, Mrs.
Fairfax. | may come over again
soon2'
eff you like-only it is best to give
me notice beforehand, as | might be
in London for the day. But yes
softenirg as his face falls-''come
when you like. Any day this week. -
The coloneHs heavy mustache has
sustained sundry pulls during this
colloqdy, and his face is shade
graver than usual as he steps into the
vacant seat and possesses himself of
both oars. AS with few vigorous
strokes the boat is once more in mo-
ton, the widows eye for the first
time lights upon the manned hand,
and she exclaims in dismay:
"When-how-dld that happenW
'In South America-long ago
Don't be afraid. My sculling may be
somewhat clumsy, but will promise
to get you safely home in due course
of time"
ooh, was not thinking of myself
But does it not hurt you? l am so
sorry | did not know before Sir Regi-
nald left us Or stay-could l help
you, wonder2'
with those tiny baby hands of
yeurs2 No, no, / am getting on per-
fectly well but give that steam launch
more space or we shall get tossing
after she has passed"
A silence follows, during which
both are busy with their own reilec-
tions. When Mrs Fairfax lifts her
eyes to her companions face it is so
grave that she exclaims in wonder:
II was going to say A penny for
your thoughts, but from the express
sion of your countenance yours must
be weghty enough to be worth much
more. Won't you be generous enough
to impart them gratsl'
A long pause, during which she
leans over the side of the boat and
idly dabbles one hand in the water.
Take care" he says warningly;
you will lose your rings"
II have none on that hand ex-
cept-'
She takes the little white fingers out
of the water, and gazes half sadly on
. ! -