Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-10-02
Her Answer.

Two young men lay stretched at full
length upon the fragrant grass sloping
down to the river. Their straw hats
we're 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 its PROV.
Glow contented they look" she
thought. as she surveyed them from
above. f"Im sure that's dear, immacu-
| late Jim in that disgraceful straw hat
and blazer. I wonder who the other
one is? Some pal of Jim's, | suppose.
What dirty white shoes! How sur
prised Jim will be when he knows we
have arrived I wonder if l could
creep down behind those bushes and
drop some pebbles on his hat, just to
inform him tnat his daring Nora is
here. L believe the lazy wretches are
asleep"
But they we're not sleeping, and just
as Hattie got in convenient position
behind the bushes, Jim-for it was he
pushed back his hat and sat up.
Hattie dropped down on her knees ana
| waited for a favorable moment to dis
charge the pebbles.
80 you absolutely refuse to stay I'M
til tomorrow and be introduced to
Hattie?" said Jim.
Jack Staines sat UP resignedly.
''Tell me, Jim he said slowly, why
are you so anxious to introduce me to
your fiancee's sister?''
because, next to Nora replied
Jim Loyalty, "sihe's the prettiest and
jolhest girl know, and you are my
best friend, so I want to do you good
turn
"Jim, old chap" said his friend
solemnly filling his pipe, your mo-
tives would be palpable to 2-year-
old baby. I have heard nothing but
Hattie this and Hattie that for whole
week. Now, this is the true position
of affairs.
'You are in love with a charming
young lady Unfortunately, she has
tiresome younger sister-Hatte-
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
licioUsly attempting to palm off this
overgrown, giggling schoolgirl as an
attractive young lady, so that you will
be able to have her sister to yourself
now and then, without feeling her
sharp eyes upon you.
Don't interrupt my eloquence, old
man! I know exactly what you are go
ing to say-she doesn't wear her hair
in a plat and she is not overgrown.
Hattie? Why, the very name is hoy
denish and redolent of bread and but
ter. Besides, I want to go to Trouville
with the boys
Jim tore up tufts of grass viciously.
II should resent those remarks very
much from any other man but you. -
"Jim, my boy, I'm SORRY" said his
friend contritely. IT know it must be
hard luck to have tiresome sister al
ways in the program. I'd make UP my
mind to go to- Trouville. Shall we
leave her most gracious majesty, the
queen, to decide? In other words
shall we toss up for it? Heads for
!, Hattie-tails, Trouville!"
) Hattie, an indulgent and unwilling
5 listener, saw the coin spun into the
air and deity caught, and then jim
: exclaimed triumphantly, "The queen
| decides in favor of Hattie!"
Hattie trembled in her hiding-place
for she had no wish to be discovered
But they did not see her, and pres.
emily, to her great relief, she heari
them enter the boat and push off.
Jim cast a sidelong glance at JACK
: Staines the next morning as he intro
duced him to Hattie Carruthers. The
girl looked very dainty and lovable
and as pretty as picture in her white
; frock and shady hat; and if any one
had told Jack ait that moment that the
UOyS WGI0 udN1uS d. Sl0dL LlLUS
Trouville he would have received The
news with the utmost Indifference.
One day, during a ramble along tht
riverside, they lost sight of Jim ant
Nora. Jack suggested that is was
kind to lose them sometimes, and Hat
tie frowned and smiled and blushet
Gust as Nora had done when Jim hac
limited that the others didn't wan
them, that was very evident); but She
allowed him to lead the way to the
spot where, hidden behind the bushes
she had first seen him.
7 "Do you know why I have brought
| you here, Miss Carruthers?'' he asked
presently.
Hattie shook her head and showed
great interest in the position of g
poppy in her bouquet.
''Lt was on this spot, a week ago
that Jim promised me an introduction
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