The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-25
PRINT IN
THE SAND
BY FRANK PRATT.

II was lust an ordinary footprint in the
moist earth on the river bank, Well
defined imprint of a lady.s foot but IL IN
terested me greatly. i am not conscious
that l have more than my share of sem
tiuent. or am at all one of those efer-
vescent creatures who are stirred pro-
foundly by a womans shoe, empty at
that: much less would I Doe expected 20
interest myself in a mere track ~ the
mud Yet that foot print touched some
chord in my nature that responded Inc
stantly. 1 do not seek TO excuse IL.
When the famous Cmsoe was SO deeply
agitated by the print OF human io".
there was some reason ln the weakness.
1t was a naked foot and 10 disturbed the
solitude Of years. But the person who
made my print Il already regarded II
with a sense Of ownership was not
barefooted Far from it, The shoe
which pressed that soft biz OF earth
was Of the latest pattern and my imagi-
nation at once clothed the owner with
all sorts Of interesting qualities.
In the first place how did the foot
print come there2 II was about two feet
from the waters edge and pointed In
land at an angle of forty-hve degrees,
but there was no mate 10 II and absolute
~ no other trace Of human presence,
much less the presence OF a lady. it
was as If Venus, clothed FOR once. had
come out of the water poised herself ON
one foot as she shook the liquid pearls
from her hair. and vanished.
| carefully built palisade Of twigs
around the footprint and went back TO
the house to lay the matter before the
boys
There were four OF us in the party. in
GLIDING our host. VIII EsterbroOk. This
young man had INDUCED one OF his many
fancies and leased for "a summer homo
an abandoned mill IL was I'm as pretty
a spot as he could find along the Fox,
one of the most picturesque rivers in
Illinois.
The mill made a fine summer cottage,
II the term cottage could be applied 10
the ancient structure Of substantial stone
devoid OF ali ornamentation save
wealth Of woodbine which chung lovingly
10 the unattractive walls. Transforming
them in summer into graceful masses of
green. and adding 10 winters desOlation
wide verandah had been built over
looking the river where IL wound through
a most charming wilderness and poured
over an old dam which long before had
ceased 10 be an obstruction. The first
floor OF the building, except one corner
where a kitchen had been enclosed, was
left unchanged. a single room large
tINkrn lOl Il AAllAt lAll. \ Nlllilk ldhAf
opposite the kitchen was promise of
good cheer abundantly fulfilled; ham,
mocks swung from the old timber sup
ports and plenty Of easy chairs gave the
place an air Of solid comfort. Upstairs
a number of bedrooms had been parti-
toned or and deconuy furnished. 1t
was a strange transformation for the
old mill. but none the less delightful.
Pending the arrival of Wits mother
and sisters, we four were keeping bache-
lor's hall. and glorious time we were
having. There was great seclusion, al
most isolation, beauty Of scenery and
plenty OF quiet sport. an of which add
vantagcs VIII set forth 10 us I'm glowing
speech after we were seated az the table
for the first meal at Miil-on-the-Fox, as
the new home had been at once chris
tened. Wits way OF freeing his mind
was TO make a speech and we were used
10 II.
He stood with one foot on his chair.
good fellowship beaming from every fea-
ture. as he waved fork for attention.
We ST once suspended the medtated at
tack 20 listen.
Boys" he said In his most grandilo-
quent tones reserved for state occasions.
fellow prisoners escaped temporarily
from LIES drudgery, welcome to Mill