The suburban citizen., 1901-11-09


tnlngs that swim, but even pike
will make some struggle, and this
was a big one. Joan reeled in, and
the pike resisted, and the punt rocked
up and down. Presently from a dream
in which he and Captain Suttlebury
were exchanging pistol shots across
| a pocket handkerchief-all for the
love of a lady-Dick Maynard awoke
and rubbed his eyes. The girl was
standing at the far end OF the punt,
with feet firmly planted, tense in
every limb, and beautifully balanc-
ing the heavy rod. She had not
called out for assistance, or begun
shaking as some women do in their
excitement. He could imagine ner
| lips quite firm and curved, and it
piQued him that he could only see
her back, and the back, curled clouds
OF her hair.
Can I helpY be said half unwill-
ingly.
She answered without turning her
| head
Have you got the landing netw
Eyes"
He went forward, and she held up
the pike nearer the side. She was a
little breathless, but talked without
allowing her attention to be distract
ed from the business Oh hand.
you owe me a pair Of gloves, Mr..
Maynard. Fast asleep-aren't you
ashamed-only an hour after break
fast?"
WAS I really Gslocp?"
Were you:'
The pike was head up, trying to
furrow the tops Of the water with
his narrow tail. Maynard made an
effectual dive with the net, the fish
shooting away to the right.
"Ahem. Good morning, Miss joan"
They had both been so wrapped up
in their fishing that they had entirely
failed to notice the approach OF Cap
tain Suttlebury in the second punt,
and at the very moment that he sent
the nose Of his punt into theirs May
nard had the tail OF the fish in the
net.
"Well" said Joan coldly.
Maynard had relieved her Of the
rod and was rceling up the slack of
the line.
Well" repeated joan, tapping her
foot.
"Er-I supposed id find you on the
lake" said Captain Suttlebury.
You were looking for me?"
"Of course; it was just as well
found you"
Perhaps" said Joan. at made me
lose a rather large pike
Captain Sut,le6ury was dimly con
sclous from her point that he was
expected to apologize. But that was
not his wagon the contrary, he felt
that he had a right to demand an
apology.
Il do not imagine he said in his
pompous manner, that your mother
would approve OF this sort Of thing"
what sort of thing"
"Flshing with one o. the s."
He had meant to say servants, but
caught Maynard eye.
Perhaps" she said meekly, "you
are right. You are so often right
Captain Suttlebury, aren't you? And
In any case l ought to consider it
luck in way that you came, oughtn't
l? because my canoe has drifted off,
and Mr. Maynard has lost his pole
and we might have been left here in
the middle Of the lake for hours"
Maynard froze up. Nothing would
have been more lucky, to his way Of
thinking, than the contingency men
toned, but he imagined Joan was
making her submission. SO did Cap
tain Suttlebury, and he assumed a
conquering pose.
Lost his pole, has hcT' he inquired,
loftily.
Eyes" said Joan. at is stuck in the
reeds. You can almost see it from
here"
Then, Mr.. What's-his-name," said
the Captain, turning towards Mayn-
ard you can take my punt and fetch
this pole back here. After that you
can go MISS Rye and | slan't need
you, dye see?7
He held out the pole belonging to
his own punt as he spoke, and for a
moment his fate hung in the balance.
Then Maynard puts his hands in his
pockets and turned to Joan
"Am / to understand that Is what
you wish?' he asked, stldiy.
"Please do" she said.
Because she wished It, he stepped
across on the other punt, disregard
Ing even the supercillous smile with
which Captain Suttlebury handed him
the pole. Then, without a word. he
pushed off. AS the gap between the
two punts widened to a yard, before
either Of the two were aware Of It,
Joan had taken n running leap from
one to the other. Size was beside