Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-05-10

BY RIVER
BANK s.

My DEAR FRIEND-Dine with us tonight. l
most particularly want to sec you. Yours
ever, LUCIE.
II know what she wants-to saddle me
with her young cub for his holidays"
thought as / tore up the note and threw
the bits into the waste paper basket
Lucie was the widow of my best friend
| was godfather to the boy, and since he
got into his teens had been cajoled into
being bear leader each summer. AS he
| cared neither for fishing, boating, hill
climbing nor any other mild pursuit suit
able to his position as the only son of a
widow, holiday time was my hardest work
in the year
| I found Mrs. Winthrop even more
charming than usual. The little dinner
was perfect, the wines irreproachable, and
BERTHE seemed quite clothed and in his
right mind. 1t was some slight relief to
find that for the first time was to be al
lowed to cart my godson abroad.
"Bertie has taken quite turn for
architecture Of late" said his mother to
me at dessert "He longs to see the Bel
gium churches. A friend of his has just
gone off with his bicycle"
BERTHE was just 20. wonder If the BIZ
cycling friend happened to have sister
with him or what was in the wind. How
ever, succumbed, as usual, and few
days later found us both on board one Of
the comfortable vessels that run between
Harwich and Antwerp.
| l suggested Bruges and Client as our
next hating places, but he looked glum.
J "You see, the mater did not quite un-
herstand me. 1t Is not churches and
things l care for. 1t Is scenery, especially
river scenery" he said convincingly
Then he descanted upon the beauties of
the Mouse, particularly its grand capaci-
ties for fishing. Now, fishing Is a weak
ness of mine. although BERTHE did not
know it.
Twenty four hours later we were steam
ing through the rocky and woodland seem
cry of the river Mouse. Gradually but GER
tainly and my godson S relative positions
had changed. Anyhow agreed when we
awoke next morning at Dinant that this
was the pleasantest time we had had to-
gether Breakfasting in the fine room
overlooking the river, we ordered a car
rage to drive to Waulsort a village where
Bertie's friend and his fishing rods were
putting up. Here we were met by BERTHE s
friend, really pleasant, gentlemanly fell
low-quite fisherman-who would take
no denial, but insisted upon my taking
his place in a punt moored nearly opposite
the hotel and using his rod and tackle for
the rest of the day.
81 and BERTHE will take spin. can
borrow bike for him." he said, and a
splendid days fishing had of it. really
enjoyed myself-until supper time came
and BERTHE and his friend failed to appear.
With desperate effort unearthed what
was in my mind of the French language
and appealed to the head waiter. From
him gathered that they never expected
gentlemen back from Dinant until mid
night paced the road gloomily in the
moonlight, imagining every sort of horror
which would blast poor Lucie Winthrop g
happiness forever and swearing to myself
that would never let her precious son
out of my sight again, until the wander
J ers returned in high good spirits BERTHE
said he was enchanted with the music at
Dinant There was place called a casino,
where any one could enter free and hear
two splendid concerts day-concerts that
beat everything he had heard in London.
said little, but next morning, when the
two suddenly announced that they were
taking another "spin," / ordered q car
riage and-as thought-following them
to Dinant entered the casino.
My fears were allayed by tho appear
ance of the place--a large, well appoint
ed house in the Grande rue Entering
you pass deserted refreshment room,
with billiard tables on your right and a
deserted Office on your left, and are con-
fronted with % charming garden-tables
and chairs under the clumps of trees and
a kiosk for the orchestra at the end. Evil
IDENTIFY the two lads were not here.
So wandered about the town, lunched
and returned to hear a charming concert
in the afternoon, which was mainly at
tended by young and middle aged persons
of the opposite sex.
Still no BERTHE and Harold. was leav-
ing the place to be driven back to Waul-
sort when came upon them coming down
a thickly carpeted staircase so deeply in
conversation that they did not SEQ me.
When they did, they looked confused,
but soon recovered their equanimity and
told me they had become members of the
Cerclo DIES strangers, as it is called, hav-
ing found fellows to introduce them, and
that they had been playing backgammon
and chess, the favorite games in the place.
frankly told BERTHE that unless could
become a member too, / could not really
countenance his lettering about a place
his mother who objected on principle to
all card games, would be Mortified at the
mere mention of However, the two
seemed so pleased that I should join the
circle that / began to think myself sus-
picious old spoil sport, and next day, when
we all drove over together and it was inn
possible tosfnd any one knew to intro
duce me (the man Bertie's friend Harold
knew had left Dinant), let the lads go
free and enjoy their quiet game of chess
up stairs while listened to the enchant-
ing music, for that it undoubtedly is.
was enjoying my peaceful holiday to
the utmost when was startled by a letter
from Mime. Lucie.
~ must beg and entreat you to leave
Dinant instantly" she wrote in trembling
characters Il have heard there are two
places where they gamble-actually gam
BILE. OF course poor, dear Berthe knows
nothing of such things or Harold knight.
ON either. Still, they might be inveigled, T"
etc.
We were putting up then at the Hotel
DIES Postes a5 Dinant l was reading the
letter in our room up stairs when BERTHE
came in, looking pale and disturbed.
Gould you lend mo S25?" he said, or
rather stammered, desperately. II am
cleaned out. Harold and played back
CANNON with some other fellows for a
lark, and owe that much over and above
what the mater gave me at starting"
"Oh" said. "You have had u quiet
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