Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-12-01
QUITE SURE.

Percy Talbot, l hate your
Yes" indolenty.
Yes, YOU are the most ill-behaved,
| impolite, inconsiderate-''
! what vile allitera toni said Mr..
Talbot, muSingly. "'Ill-behaved, i'm
polite, inoOnSiderate-noW say infant
to complete it, On you might add
another adjective before attempting
the noun; internal, now? How would
that Beg
Il don't know anything about your
horrid swear words. You are very
familiar with them, / dare say! You
are everything that is horrid.'
Not sou eclaimed Mr.. Talbot, posi-
! lively, L know one horrid thing Pm
not"
! No reply.
| Can you guess what?"
Still no answer.
''Well-a toad." said the gentleman
triumphantly. Because if I were
that you wouldn't dare be in the same
boat with me. Would you?"
at couldn't be much more disagree
abe than it is now,' acidly.
"Oh, yes it could. IF 1 should tip
the boat over now Or
Percy! You know you wouldn't
dare"
"Oh, yes, I would" modify. "a
man can dare lots when he is des-
perate.'
"He wouldn't dare kill himself,
though, if he were as wicked as you
are. l have that advantage" she
laughed. Take me over there, why
don't you, where the water lilies are"
"Why should To-
well, why shouldn't you? Go be-
cause I tell you to-"
IF | worked on your plan that
/ would be ample excuse not to go.
Besides I'm not fond of doing things
for people who hate me-
chats why you don't do much,
isn't it:' she inquired, with interest.
Il knew / should find satisfactory
proof some day for your idleness. You
are terribly lazy, Percy, and you
never
why do you hate me, I wonder?"
interrupted Mr.. Talbot abruptly is
it for some reason or just an innate
ayersion?'
Its both,' she replied, gravely.
You aren't bit nice to me in the
first place. I've asked you four fines
to drive Aunt Charlotte and Miss Pick
arts tomorrow and four times you have
refused. And then | guess there is a
lingering aversion, too.'
An unconquerable one,'
Yes. I never change my opinion
about any one. How short these stems
break off! If you had any remnants
of human kindness you would gather
them for me-"
And row, too, I suppose? / can do
several things at once but even that
is not in my power. So you are de-
cided never to like me? You are quite
Sure!'
"Quite sure. Oh, Percy, see what
you did! Rowed right over that great
beauty / wanted so! Take me home.
[ hate getting water lilies, anyhow.
You get soaking wet. and don't get
any after all. Take me home.''
Mr.. Talbot started obediently with
long, Steady strokes for the shore
and rs they glided on silently he was
watching her-NIildred Congdon-and
thinking; he was remembering these
ten happy weeks of his vacation in
the little village and his meeting with
her; she had come to live with her
aunt after he had left to begin his
law practice in the city; he had adj
mired her at first as a pretty, simple
little village girl and then he had
come to Ike and respect and admire
her and now-well, now, when she
explained to him so cody that she
hated him it was very unpleasant.
Ordinarily Mr.. Talbot was the soul
Of independence; but this was different.
He watched her bending over the
fra grant flowers, with the light from
the sunset behind her throwing shafts
of gold ON her hair, and when the
boat was moored and they were walk
ing up the struggling street they were
still silent
Percy, suddenly.
1T depends, of course" she answer
ed. WHAT"
'Of what you were thinking just
then and ON the water? And 1 Will
tell YOU
Why, yes" she said, readily, 81
was counting up the rolls they have
provided for tomorrow and prophecy
ing that there would not be enough.
Why?"
He laughed little sadly, and then
he answered her.
Il wonder if / could ever make your
thoughts anything like mine. 1 was
thinking how well I love you"
NO" she answered, lightly. You
never can. Of course you don't mean
it, thought"
II never was more serious in my
life," he said grayely. You do not, of
course, love me-"
No, Of course not"
"And you are sure you never will?"
She looked at the earnest, handsome,
boyish face before her and for the
first time a vague doubt crossed her
mind.