Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-06-05

the deformity being due to fall in his
baby days, and a uark-eyed, bright
faced, intelligent child. He adored
Sam on whose shoulder he was imme-
diately percheo, and by his precocious
prattle he soon relieved the unnatural
tension of the situation.
You promised to take me boating
with you when you came down to Dun
DON, SAM" said Jim.
did I, mater" asked Sam.
'Now, you know you did," said Jim,
pulling his ear poll heard you;
diun't you, Poll?'
''Mr. Forbes doesn't want to be both
cred with little chatterbox like you
when he goes boating" said Mary.
ooh, that's all you know" said Jim
scornfully. you're only girl, and
girls think everybody chatterboxes ex-
cept themselves"
would you mind coming out with
me, Jim?" asked Mr.. Henderson.
Jim eyed him suspiciously.
II promised to go with SAM he said
evasively.
you're staunch and true, Jim said
Sam. You'll stick to your old
friends
Polly's face famed at the caustic re-.
mark
cone may make new friends without
proving false to the old ones said Mr..
Henderson with an air of superior wis
dom.
"One can always make fair weather
friends" said Sam, bluntly.
Then Jim put in his oar again, and
ratified on till Heath cottage was
reached.
Mr.. Dawson caught Polly alone for
a moment.
well, young lady," he said with a
humorous twinkle in his eye, you are
booked at last"
"Booked?' she said, with a fine as
sumption of puzzled air. Where
to-"
''To that 81 Dorado of your sex-the
glded city of matrimony," he an
swered.
''You always were fond of teasing
me, father" she said, looking just a
trifie conscious.
ct is no teasing matter, I assure
you,' he said. 'Sam Forbes has just
asked my permission to marry you
ooh, indeed she said, with an in
scrutable look in her dark eyes. I
suppose he didn't think it necessary
to ask mine?"
Mr.. Dawson laughed, and rubbed his
hands briskly.
ooh, Sam considers himself quite
sure of yours" he said.
"What?" cried Poll Indignantly.
Il told him." said Mr. Dawson, that
I didn't think you would have him, but
he only smiled knowingly, and an
swered: oh, yes, she will -
Polls face hardened and her eyes be-
came two points of fame.
''That is just like his insuferable
conceit," she said. "He thinks no girl
could possibly refuse him, but he'll find
he has made a great mistake if he ever
dares to put the question to me- And
she founced Indignantly from the
room.
Mr.. Henderson had that morning
made her an offer of his hand and
heart, and she, having a tender feeling
to Sam, had asked for time to consider
the matter Now, Mr.. Hendersons
star rose rapidly in the ascendant,
while Sans went down in utter dark
ness.
CHAPTER III.
''Jim," said Mr.. Sam Forbes to his
little friend that evening, eff Mr.. Hen
derson asks you to go boating with
him when we go down to the beach I
hope you will CO."
''But won't you come too?"
"I may. But you see Polly may not
wish to go, and I should not like her
to be left all alone" said the cunning
Sam.
ooh, she'll go fast enough if you
CO." said Jim. And I don't care about
going out with Mr.. Henderson all by
myself"
ooh, he's a muff," said Jim. But
never mind; I'll go to please YOU
Thank you, Jim; you're a regular
brick
Jim tried hard to straighten his poor,
crooked back for the idea of being con-
sidered a regular brick by Sam
Forbes made him feel that he was,
after all, something more than a de-
formed little mite.
Sam proved himself to be shrewd
guesser. Mr.. Henderson offered to
take Jim out for a row, and Jim
jumped at the offer Polly, who was
burning to have it out with Sam, re-
fused to go, and Mr.. Henderson, mutt
tering curses, not loud, but deep, had
to pull out with Jim as his solitary
companion, leaving his rival in pos
session of the field.
Sam noticed that Polly was not her
usual self. She seemed cold and hard
and defiant, and he could not think
what had come over her. Usually she
was frank, yivacious, and generous
hnartnd tn fau1t with a rim gin Q