Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-08-13
SYD'S FISH.

parlor, where sat the ladies of the fam.
lily. Syd-who had been growing
sleepy over her sewing for the last half
hour, with Belle writing a love'letter
in The bay window her mother yawn.
ing oyer her account.booK and Grand
ma G reyson, nodding over her knitting
10y the fire-hailed his advent with de-
light.
"Syd 10
"Here, Tom Whittier bound ?"
queried sgd, rising and putting her
work away.
ITO the lake." waving his fishing
tackle before her longing eyes. prop
er cloudy day for fishing. Come along,
sis 10
"All right. will. Good bye, grand
ma, and here's kiss. Don't worry,
mother. You needn't look so shocked,
Belle, for I've been an angel all sum-
mer-haven't whistled for fortnight.
/ will to-day, though ~ muttered Syd,
rebelliously, as she drew on her rubber
boots and buttoned her waterproof In
the hall.
"Girls didn't 60 trapsin' off so when
I was young |" and grandma shook her
head wisely over her knitting needles.
"Seventeen years DID," sighed Mrs.
Gre, son, "and such a romp 10
TOO bad, for she can be little lady
when she tries 10 added Belle.
Meanwhile sgd, ,at once the pride and
torment of the family, with Fl fishing-rod
over shoulder, was dashing through the
wet fields, in the direction of the lake.
"How that girl does 60 10 mutter-
ed Tom, who brought up the rear
painting and out of breath. "Syd !
Hold on It's a-going to rain. Here's
the umbrel Hold on. I say %
sgd "held on" accordingly, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling, her
hair hopelessly down. Very pretty was
sgd, especially with all that shining
hair oyer her shoulders, and not at all
"fast" looking either, though she could
fish. swim, play ball, row, ride and
shoot, as we'll as her brother Tom.
The two ''sports" aimed for a favorite
fishing station, sort of plateau, with
fringe of sturdy shrubs along the
edge oyer-hanging a narrow strip OF
sandy shore. Just beyond was deep
hole, where the big fishes Of the lake
lay concealed.
"Stay here and fish, sgd. while I get
some more grubs. There amt half g.
nough bait.
sgd nodded, and Tom darted away.
The fair fisher viewed the wriggling
mass of worms in Toms tin cup with
evident disgust, took thick brown pa
per from her pocket, opened it, disclo-
sing fragments of fresh pork, and then
baited her hook, whistling "Ye banks
and braes" with all her might during
the operation.
A fine-looking young fellow, sitting
on camp.stool beneath Syd's perch,
looked up at the sound. It evidently
disturbed him, for he frowned angrily
up at the bushes that concealed the un-
conscious offender but seeing no one.
went on with his work. This was not
fishing, however. An easel stood be-
fore him he held palette and brushes
in his hand. He was an amateur ar
tist, probably. He had been trying in
vain that afternoon to catch the effect
of rain on water, and Ills failure had
put him out of sorts apparently, for as
the unseen whistler went from "Bon-
ME DOOM to "Captain Jenks," he
contracted his brow and mnttered
something i'll natured about ''confound-
ed boys"
But he was destined to a worse doom
than this, for as the lines which had
lain still In the water few minutes.
| was ierked sharply up, monstrous fish
dropped off, and the hook, relieved of
its weight, swung suddenly round.
burying itself on the back of the ar
lists hand. He started up, utteriDg
an exclamation more expressive than
polite.
"Deuce take that boy ~ said he with
an emphasis so energetic that it reach
ed unlucky sgd.
"Oh, my soul 20 she exclaimed, and
dart ID down the rocks.
Meanwhile the artist, holding his
iackknife in his left hand, was endeav-
oring to open it with his teeth.
eGood heayens ! What have l
done ?"
He looked up in astonishment, to see
lovely young lady with a mass of
bright hair around her shoulders, and
great, startled violet eyes, bending over
him, looking very pale and anxious.
"Oh, | am so sorry ! didn't mean
to | Please do forgive me :? Are you
yery much hurt ?' all in a breath.
So surprised was he at the unexpect-
ed apparition, that he didn't hear half
she said.