The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-23

all those pretty clothes in a boat?
Why" here the professor smiled
some big black bass will catch sight OF
you and jump out of the water to YOU.
Then what will become of the dress?
Answer me that"
Il don't know father, but I'll be very
careful, and 1 don't want to go past the
mill looking like a rag-tag.'
| ooh, no! That's it, is it? Well, come
along, then; only l am afraid that on
your return you will be climbing fences
| to come home the back way
1t was but short distance to the
river, and they were soon out on 1T and
anchored some distance above the rift.
The professor baited Annals hook, and
| she caught the first fish, her father d.
recting her how to handle him until he
was safe in the net. Anna enjoyed the
sport keenly, especially when the pro-
| fessor and she hooked two fish at the
same time, and the constant manoeu-
| vering to keep the lines from tangling
added a zest that made her eyes
| sparkle. Suddenly she became con-
scious that the boat was moving, and,
glancing over the stern, saw that they
We're almost in the rift. She was on the
rowing seat, and, laying her rod down,
took up the oars to pull the boat out OF
danger. Just then the fish on her line
gave vicious tug, and to her dismay
she saw the rod sliding over the side,
She dropped the oars In trying to save
the rod, and the professor looked over
his shoulder in time to see what was
happening just as the boat lurched and
slid over the falls. BY some providen-
tial chance the boat did not upset, al
though the professor did, but Annals
eyes filed with tears as they worked
the boat ashore, and she thought of the
deep disappointment Gerald would feel
at losing his rod. But there he was
now, waiting for them.
AS the boat touched the bank he said;
GIVE been up to the house for you,
and they told me should find you here.
Uncle Henry is dead"
"Deadn they both exclaimed.
nYes he died suddenly about an hour
ago from heart disease" Anna took
his hand and pressed it as they walked
in silence to the house.
After the funeral 1t was found that
Henry Willis had left no will, and so his
property and money would naturally go
to his son, a dissolute fellow whose es-
capades had made him the scapegrace
of the village.
Nothing had been heard Of him for
years, but on the day of the funeral he
made his appearance, and with most
important air announced himself as the
property owner of the village
1t was while talking 1t over with
Anna that Gerald said in conclusion:
1T was good thing Uncle Henry
gave me this place just as he did, for
fear that his son would have made 1t
too unpleasant for us to remain here.
Not knowing of my proprietorship In
the mill he has already said that |
might look for my walking papers as
soon as he came In control. BY the
way, Anna, did you ever find that deed?
Times up, you know. l am going to
town In the morning"
mo, didn't find it, Gerald, but I
searched all over the room for it, wher-
ever did you put it?'
Cant you guess?"
mo, I can't guess. Now, don't tease
me any more. but tell me where 1t is
well, If you can't guess I'll tell you.
1t Is III Nflt very ldSl biCSC ycu WottiN !
look for 1.-THE butt Of my fishing rod
Your rod? Oh! Gerald, your rod!
Il lost it,
Lost 1t! Why, how?-what?-I don't
understand, dear" Anna told the story
of the fishing trip. Meanwhile a blank
expression had stolen over Willis face.
and Anna broke down and cried. But
the professor came to the rescue.
There, there child. | meant to tell
you that had found the rod, and here
it is he said, as he drew 1t out from
the veranda,
Some time after, the professor was
reading when his daughter looked up
from her sewing. Father, how did you
ever find that rod again? / don't re-
member that you went to the river at J
all after the day lost it,"
The professor was safe behind his |
paper, and so ignored her question: but |
when she repeated it he answered,
rather apologetically: "Well-ah, the I
fact Is that the rod you took with you
was not Gerald's, but an old one of
mine New York Weekly.