The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-18
THE
AUOuYMOU LETTER
The Strange History OF a
Scrap of Paper.
CHAPTER ".
TROLLING ON THE LAKE.

1t mas Deel lovely QaN, WIN scarcely Il
cloud to cast shadow. Raymond is call
ing to them now, and they are preparing
for their homeward trip. The lines are
gotten out, and the party is once more out
on the water. In the largest boat Ray
mond is rowing, and Tom is slowly I'M
winding his line. Claudie drops the bright,
red and silver colored spoon into the water,
a d watches 1t wh1I about the hooks,
until at last the length of line let out,
allows It to disappear from view. On they
row, silently watching the line, neither of
them speaking.
"Oh, look, look, What shame! They
have caught the first fish, at last cries
Claudio.
CHANGING over his shoulder, Dick OBJ
serves Tom slowly pulling in his line, hand
over hand
Sure enough, they have taken the first
prize this time, he says. His observations
IN this direction are cut short by another
little scream from Claude.
OH" she cries III delight. I've caught
one, I've caught ons!'
But for moment if looks doubtful
whether Claudio has captured the fish or
whether the fish has captured Claude: both
are Juggling at either end of the line.
Can you manage him." Dick asks.
II guess / can; he IS very strong,
though"
Slowly Dick reverscs his stroke, backing
the boat toward the captive, and slowly
Claudio draws IN the line.
Suddenly, and without warning, the Iish
which is evidently a large one, makes a
dash for liberty. The unexpected jerk
draws the line from her hgnds, and it ap-
pears as if the fish and line were lost. A
Httle cry of disInay from Claude, as Dick,
dropping his oars, springs forward Just IN
time to catch the rapidly reteating cord.
She is evidently too exhausted TO handle it
again. and Dick draws him slowly forward
Occasionally lie plurges above the water,
then dives deeply, but he is too securely
fastened to Get away, and soon they have
him close at hand, and with a dexterous
swing he lands him in the boat. Then
with an excellent hurrah, Dick waves
his cap in triumph toward the other
boat. Claudies eyes sparkle with ex-
element, and her face Pushes with
pleasure over their success. Again they
drop their line into the water, but their
sood luck is past, and after rowing about a
short time, they finally draw up to the
wharf, where the other boat is now await
ing them.
You must have caught large one, :"
Raymond eyclaims, as Dick draws in his
oars.
Indeed, We did" replies Dick, holding
up their prize
My eyes, what a whopper!" cries Tom,
gazing at 1t IN admiration. That beats
both of ours. be adds somewhat ruefully,
holding up two that look rather diminutiYe
IN comparison with Dicks.
Well, that's not bad showing for so
short time, says Raymond rs the party
walk up toward the house together
Down the path comes Bruce, the mastiff,
bounding along, wagging his tail with de-
light mt seeing his mistress AGAIN.
"Ah, Bruce, dear old fellow, have you
missed me3' cries Claudio, patting him af-
fectionateIy. Bruce exhibits his affection
III his dumb way. looking tenderly up into
her eyes; then, as Tom stoops to stroke
him, he growls, as if to say his caresses
we've not wanted. Tom has not been able
to make friends with the mastiff, and has
mingled feelings of respect and fear for
him
Nice dog says Tom. coaxlngly, reach
ing out his hand in hesitating manner
and draws It back quickly, rs Bruce turns
rather savagely pn him.
Come, boys, YOU have not seen my
hounds vet, iuterposed RAYMOND
Claudio, tell Chloe to have tea at six.
thirty. as Sharp viii not be able to come
over before then"
DO you keep your hounds shut up?" ask,
Dick, as they walk round toward a shed a
the rear of the cottage.
Yes, he responds. IF [ didn't, | coulC
never find them when | wished to"
As he speaks he throws open the door o.
the shed, and two fine beagle hounds sprins
out and Jump upon him, baying in loud
joyful tones. Down, Don; down, Sport
you rascals'
IN tell You, boys. we will try our lucl
after fox Tomorrow. Most all game il
out of season now, but the fox we can slay
at any time"
Il shouldn't think those sholt-legged fel.
lows could run very fast, F" Tom saws.
We don't want fast-running hounds t.
hunt the fox here, laughingly replies Ray
mond.
"Oh," sal Tom, relapsing into silence.
What time shall we start tomorrow.
queries Dick.
oh, early in the morning, as soon as w
breakfast
Ton and Dick now repair to their room
IN order to brush up a bit. as Tom ex
presses it; and when they descend agar
Sharp has arrived and is seated on the We.
-anda in conversation with Claude.
Dick, somehow, feels a restraint in the
presence of this man Sharp, but Tom!
ready tongue 1attles on at its usual rate
man IN society. Every wish of Claudio.
seems to be anticipated by him; and, later
i develops that the little oyerSeer possesses
voice Of marvellous strength and beauty
and he shows 1t to good advantage in his
duet with Claude.
Altogether, II Is not a pleasant evening
Eos Dick, aud he retires that night feeling
q id-ily at odds with himself and every
Tie morning davns clear and bright
again, and the plans of tie preceding day
are successfully iulhlled to the letter. Ant
lie events of the past two DAYS proved tr
lee but a foretaste of what was to come
FISHING excursions, picuics. and shooting
matches, asd various other pleasurabi,
Dastl4es, made the days fly quickly by.
Md So the days glded on. Halevon
days they We're; bright spots IN the memory
- DICK, 70 be cherish 1 and held sacred
lis Heort no longer doubted the truth but
bo"ed ~ loving reverence at the shl5ra OF
It> iiolauy.
Yes. he loved Claude. with all the pas
son, sikh all the strength of his great and
generous nature. He loved her as a man
s.t love tut once. There was no face to
ham % tur. SO beautiful. as Claudies. No
lahq. ne natare, so gentle and so kind.
las lost al interest IN his guns and the
4aa1lng expeditions planned by Tom and
ta' nond. Re only cared to be in her
presence; to lie at her feet as she sketched
4 tit Ct scenery here or there. He felt
81 +. q mast tsll her OF his great love. and
@e iezral TO do, and kept SAYING 70
g. III. - Tomorrow, to morrow l VIII tell
h
tge sHL "ss just peepirg over the hills,
irs clear morning as Raymond,
3, a.d JleS We're preparing 10 cross the
a Is TAG mil. Sharp had sent word that
-iret very much TO Sc 1Ir. RAYMOND
2ard 10 me cutting OF some timber that
stood near the mill, and the two friends
li..t concluded 10 accompany him.
and as Ire beat moved OF, Claude stood
q thc landing, waving her adleus. TIE