Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-09

flower with lady near on whom he
might bestow it? The lilies sought
their rightful owner, and | simply
helped them on their rightful way,
while Tom looked at the three he had
gathered as if unwilling to initiate
me, and equally unwilling to keep
them. 1T was shame to pick them, ,
he said, and laid them back upon the
water.
The steamer now shot ahead, and
our guide told US that its passengers
would carry" across to Eagle lake,
where another steamer would receive
them, while our carry was shorter
one farther up.
Tom and | both received the news
unwlllingly, for we could not bear to
have this bright vision vanish so soon.
Should we never again see Maud?
We looked at each other, bnt said
nothing.
When at length we shot out into
Eagle lake, after the last of our carries
there was no sign Of any steamer; and,
as we rowed on. the sun set and the
moon rose, but We were still alone.
On Blue Mountain lake we heard
the steamers whistle once more, and
in the distance saw its column of
smoke and sparks as it pulled off 10
another part of the shore. We felt
like grumbling at our cholce of hotels,
but il was too late to change; so, hun
cry, tired and disappointed, we climb
cd the steep hillside.
Oar appetites did not fail US, now
ever, Chow could they in that airO,
and after supper we walked up and
down the broad piazza, looking upon
tie moon lighted lake and mountains
with n tinge of sadness as We thought
our outing was SO nearly over, and we
unused upon tie maiden whose beauty
had charmed us.
Next morning we drove mile in
the early twilight in order to take the
stage. We found only one uuengag-
ed outside seat, and Tom insisted on
my taking that. Was lie really
generous, or did he have an intuitlon2
| asked myself, as suddenly our &C
guaIntances of yesterday came down
the steps and entered the stage. Maud
wore her lilies and nodded pleasantly
rs our eyes met; but she took a seat
directly opposite Tom.
1t seemed to me a very unlnterest-
ing road. | saw little but the blacken-
ed trees and the burnt wilder
uess. | was sadly bored by talkative
seat-mate, but there was no chance of
relief until we reached Cedar river,
where the stage was exchanged for a
Concord coach.
| found that Tom had made great
advance in the acquaintance of the
little party to which Maud belonged,
and which / now joined. We all
climbed on top Of the coach, aud,
though the sun was hotter than ever,
aud the dead trees quiet as CHASTITY,
l no longer objected to riding out
side.
Maud's father proved a good -natur,
ed man, whose hay-fever had driven
him to the woods; and, on the shore
of Raquette lake, he, with Maud and
Jack, had been camping in bark
shanty, and without guide.
They teld US of their experiences in
ii frank, jolly way, that made camp.
ing seem the most desirable kind of
life Imaginable. Maud looked on us
with evident pity when she found that
We had been less than three weeks in
the woods, and our camping Xperi-
cnces had been only with a guide.
But we rataliated with a glowing ac
count of our boat trip, which fascnat-
ed her, and sue Immediately mplored
her fat her to take her through the
lakes next summer. She had learned
20 fish, row and swim, though Jack
laughed at the idea of her swimming
where the water wasn't over her head.
She got enthusiastic over her rowing,
however; and said she could cook
fish as we'll as catch them, and make
splendid pancakesl and we doubted
none of her accomplishments.
How swiftly our six horses sped
over the rough road! Long before
we wished it we ratified into North
Creek, where the railroad station
M 4de us feel that our happy mountain
life was at an end.
We found that our paths would dj,
verge at Saratoga, SO we made the
most of the few hours left. The car
seemed close after out door life, and
we wondered if civilization were
worth while, after all.
AS we rumbled along, talking mer
rily, in spite of the noise, q Saucy gust
of wind caught Maud's hat and whirl,
ed ii out of the window.
"What shall / do2" she appealed 10
us, for Jack was laughing, and her
father, evidently puzzled.
That's the only hat | had with
me, aud can't go bareheaded
II might lend you this, I" said Jack,
offering her his straw, which was
very much the worse for its camping
experience.
Il can do better than that, said J.,
Jacks suggestion having reminded
me of something; and soon pulled
out skull cap of the same general
color rs her dress. "Wouidn't this
do} have some pretty wings, if you
want to trim it. ="
she choose a gay one out of my
store, with which her deft fingers
soon transformed the esp; and when
ii was on her head she looked prettier
than ever. We four adminng mascu-
lines congratulated her on her sue
NGSN, stlld L was III NAONNl Ibli ASiN'
been distanced again, for he too, had
a cap, which he would have b!eG only
too happy to see on that graceful
head, if he had only thought of it.
But there was little time for regrets.
Already we were nearing Saratoga,
and must part with our friends.
Good byes are seldom pleasant.
Perhaps it is we'll that they are often
hurried A few words, a touch of the
hand, and she was gone.
Did we ever see her agaln9 Which
of us won here Was one made happy.
the other heart broken, and our
friendship thus shattered forever3
No, dear reader Is it possible for
two men, who have fallen in love
with the same girl, TO be content TO
hold equal places in her affection, -
il she is only eight years old. -Ja2Gt
Clark in Outing.
4 Pretty Incident.
Naw Orleans Times Democrat.