Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-01
A STORY OF SHADOW LAKE

ing position in which the voice of my I'M
known colioquist had accosted me. In
truth and in fact, vas engaged in ex-
aiming the padlocked mooring of a
graceful little boat, whose keel lay on the
shore. and meditating to myself how very
agreeable a row across the crystal lake
would he through the silence of the purple
August daybreak.
Good morningl" responded, turning
to meet the inquiring gaze of tall, gem
tlemanly looking parsonage, apparandy
about 25 wears OF age, who stood leaning
against a little gate. He was dark and
handsome, with piercing eyes, forehead
slightly bald. and jet-black mustache,
twisted jauntily away from a small nerV-
GUS mouth; and his dress was tasteful and
fauItIess in the last degree. He had taken
off his hat to greet me, and now stood
apparently awaiting some more definite
explanation on my part. !
81 beg your pardon, sir, ] stammeEed,
rather confused; IL hope | am not tres
passing on private grOunds?'
"Why, sir, you are undeniabIy on pri-
yete grounds, returned the stranger smIl-
ing, but think we won t call it by any
such harsh name as trespassing. You are
staying in the neighborhOod?'
Vernon CheveIey Ell? A very pretty
name, sir, | congratulate myself on max
ing your acquaintar ce. Will you allow
me to reciprOCate your franknesS :"
He bowed low as he presented me with
crumbIed bit Of brown paper that he ex-
tracted from an old cigar case. Upon it
was inscribed, in staring letters of red ink,
the one word, Albert
ALBERT -who?" | invountarIly ques-
toned.
ALBERT, sir!' returned my companion,
starting to u sitting posture, and regarding
me with stern dignity. Price Albert,
sir! Albert Of England, Scotland and
WaIes!"
stared at him. aghast. Was the man
mad, or dreaming?
ITO your knees, sir!' he said, with a
sharp, sudden imperiOusness. Have yoI
no reverence for royaty?"
oEeyed his quick sign, almost before |
| knew what ! was doing. He smiled com
pacentiy, at the same time drawing a
gaudy tinsel star from his pocket and
gravely aiiixing it to the left breast of his
coat.
yes, my friend he went on. impress
lively, you are now in the presence of
Prince Consort of Great Britain Men
have amused themselves by disseminating
the idle tale that was dead; that's all
they know about it. | am not dead; and
| what is more, ! never shall die. | am
privileged with the gift of everlasting ex-
istence. As long as | wear this jeweIed
star, death can never come near met
felt the cold perspiration oozing from
| every pour in my body; | could almost
feel myself grow pale us 1 became fully
convinced that was out upon the solitary
lake alone with madam had heard
when first | came to this mountain retreat
that there was large asylum somewhere
in the vicinity, but had never given the
affair second thought Now | was reap
ing the consequence OF my own folly and
recklessncss.
Il am staying at the Lake House for
the summer" | explained; land suppose
my morning walk has led me further than
| at first intended?'
you are about six miles from the
house, sir, returned my companion, cour-
teousIy. And, Judging from your occu-
patton when | came down to the gate, you
would not object to crossing back by
water?'
laughed and acknowledged the fact.
TO tell The truth, sir, | was just think
ing how cool and pleasant short row
would be. In fact, if the boat had not
been fastened, | should most assuredly
have braved all consequences, and boldly
adyentured the experiment.
81 think we can overcome that objec-
ton, said the stranger quietly turning
to an old ruined tree, whose gnaried trunk
oyerhung the transparent tide, and draw
Il key from its hollow depths. Suppose
we get up an appetite for breakfast
together? | am not an inexperienced
oarsman myself, and suppose you
understand the art of propelIing on the
water
Just give ne an opportunity, and see
If don indicate my education in aquatic
matters said in high. good humor,
springmg into the fairy-hke little shell.
Really, sir, this Is an unexpected treat.
scarcely know how to thank you sufi-
GENTLY for your courtesy
Then do not attempt, said the gen.
tlcman inclining his head with digni-
fed high. bred poIiteness which impressed
me more and more in his favor "assure
you the qualification is entirely mutual.
Pull TO the right little. we shall get en-
tangled III yonder floating sheet of water
lilies, if we are not careful. Upon my
word this Is a most perfect morning for
the water
Il was indeed, Across the diamond gilt
ter of the lake the golden splondors Of an
August sunrise were just beginning to be
reflected and in the distance, a range of
dim, misty mountain peaks leaned against
the horizon like far-otf Sentinels almost
losing their outline IN the blue radiance of
the cloudlesS heavens
Il wish | were an artistr' broke almost
nvoluntarily from my lips.
NV companion smiled.
Need a man he an artist to enjoy the
beauties of such Il scene rs thiS?" he
asked. "A little more toward youder point.
channel. and you can pull rs hard or as
easy rs you choose The boat will almost
move 10y herself, in fact, -
He threw down his oars and leaned back
in the stern. adjusting his straw hat 81 as
to shield his eyes from the too vivid glare
of the morning sunshine.
lone scarcely thinks of civilization in
such a secluded spot rs this, he muir
INJURED lazily. Il suppose there Ism nj Il liv-
ing soul within Il mile of us, always ex-
cepting birds and fishes.
Il suppose not, | assented.
But. nevertheless. the forms and cere-
monies OF society cannot entirely be cast
aside. May know whom have had the
pleasure of helping to an hour pleaSure?'
| drew my card from my waist-coat
pocket, and handed 1t across with
smile.
His dark. piercing eyes royed restleSSly
from object to object. Suddenly they rest
Ell on my appalled, contenance.
You don't believe what | am saylng?"
The remembrance of what | had often
read and heard about the expediency-
nay, the positive neCessity-that existed
for iudulSing monomaniaCs To the top of
their tent, In whatever whim might pos
SeSS their minds. occurred to me. and
FASTENED to reply. "Of course ! believe it!
Why shouldn't -
''Ah. why shouldn't you. indeed? But
people are SO skeptical nowadays. Now,
when Victor Emanuel was staying at
my house and Pope Pms came down by
way of the Medlterranean-take care,
where are you going?"
| had thought to take advantage of the
new path into which his troubled mind
had wandered to divert our course a little
more Shoreward; but his cunning, rowing
eye was upon me in an Instant.
Tit Is getting very not here,
stammered Il thought perhaps, we
should find it cooler on shore"
"Ah-h-h.' he Kissed, putting his face