Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-05
Her Answer.

Two young men lay stretched at full
length upon the fragrant grass sloping
down to the river. Their straw hats
were tilted over their faces and a
clump of brushwood behind them
partially shielded them from the OBJ
servation Of chance pedestrians on the
road above.
But Hattie Carruthers saw them,
for she peered about for the owner of
the boat, which she recognized, despite
it's new coat of paint, and the Mora"
on it's PROV.
How contented they look" she
thought, as she surveyed them from
above. 'Im sure that's dear, immacu-
late Jim in that disgraceful straw hat
and blazer. l wonder who the other
one is? Some pal of Jim's, I suppose.
What dirty white shoes! How sur
prised Jim will be when he knows we
have arrived. I wonder if [ could
creep down behind those bushes and
drop some pebbles on his hat, just to
inform him that his daring Nora is
here I believe the lazy wretches are
asleep"
But they were not sleeping, and Just
as Hattie got in a convenient position
behind the bushes, Jim-for it YVES he
pushed back his hat and sat up.
Hattie dropped down on her knees and
waited for a favorable moment to dis
charge the pebbles.
NCo 1-C-, rofIIco n cto1y
til tomorrow and be introduced to
Hattie?" said jim.
Jack Staines sat UP resignedly.
Tell me, JIM" he said slowly, "why
your fiancee's sister,"
because, next to Nora replied
Jim Loyalty, "she's the prettiest and
jolliest girl know, and you are my
best friend, so I want to do you a good
turn
Jim, old chap" said his friend
solemnly filling his pipe, your NC
tives would be palpable to year
old baby. l have heard nothing but
Hattie this and Hattie that for a whole
CT affairs
"You are in love with a charming
young lady. Unfortunately, she has
a tiresome younger sister-Hattie-
who is always instructed by careful
mamma to play 'gooseberry,' and to
generally make herself a nuisance TO
you and your fiancee. Knowing my
susceptibility to beauty, you are ma
liciolsly attempting to palm off ttis
overgrown, giggling schoolgirl IS an
attractive young lady, so that you will
be able to have her sister to yourself
row and then, without feeling her
sharp eyes upon you.
Don't interrupt my eloquence, old
man! l know exactly what you are &C
ing to say-she doesn't wear her hail
in plat and she is not overgrown
Hattie? Why, the very name is hoy
denish and redolent of bread ard but
ter. Besides, I want to go to Trouville
with the boys
Jim tore up tufts Of grass viciously
81 should resent those remarks yer!
much from any other man but you"
Jim, my boy, I'm sorry said RI:
friend contritely 81 know it r1l-t b.
hard luck to have a tiTesome sister al
ways in the program. I'd make up m!
mind to go to Trouville. Shall We
leave her most gracious majesty, the
queen, TO decide? In other word!
: shall we toss up for it? Heads fol
Hattie-tails, Trouville."
Hattie, an indulgent and unwilling
listener, saw the coin spun into TIL
air and deity caught. an then jim
exclaimed triumphantly, 'The queer
decides in favor Of Hattie!"
Hattie trembled in her hiding-place
fer she had no wish to be discovered
But they did not see her, and pres
emily, to her great relief, she hear
them enter the boat and push off.
+ Jim cast a sidelong glance at Jacl
I Staines the next morning as he intro
, duced him to Hattie Carruthers. TIL
I girl looked very dainty and loVable
[ and as pretty as a picture in her whit
2 frock and shady hat; and if any on
: had told Jack at that moment that tn
e boys were having great time a
n Trouville he would have received tn
news with the utmost Indifference.
}, One day, during q ramble along tn
g riverside, they lost sight Of Jim an
S Nora. Jack suggested that is wa
s kind to lose them sometimes, and Hal
tie frowned and smiled and blushe
Gust as Nora had done when Jim fa
: limited that the others didn't war
|. them, that was very evident); but sh