Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-24
Fiction
FROM A JUNE DIARY.
BY w. P. MacHenry.

BY w. P. MacHenry.
1t is dull at the Oaks
Lake Nemahbin CLEANS at dawn,
glares at noon, and coaxes the Oaks
folks at twilight-in vain Black bass
beg for the opportunity to strike at
anything, from helgamite to a double
spinner; tennis courts are deserted ;
croQuet grounds ditto; the golf course
is hardly visited; even pinpong is
shelved. Members of ''the groupe''
lazily discuss weather, the coming re-
gatta at Oconomowoc, and the latest
guests.
The Oaks auto arrives. John as
sists tot of summers to alight. then
her companion, vision indescribable;
next, Mrs. Baird and Miss Baird,
popular with the "groupe" Tot and
the vision disappear into the hotel.
while the Bairds receive greetings
from old friends and make new ones.
The row of overdressed penwipers,
sitting upon the veranda, regard the
"groupe'' questioningly, the newcomers
with an i'll bred stare, and lorgnettes
IN two or three cases get in their dead
ly work.
The new arrivals cause q sudden
change in the atmosphere. Ennui is
replaced by ambition; welcome to the
popular Bairds, curiosity concerning
"tot'' and the VISION and general
activity succeeds Indifference.
The "groupe' decided upon d sail
ing party, and soon the heart of Ne
mahbin is made by the acceptance of
its many silent invitations
The canvaseS of the Laura. Thrush
and Nancy Deane swell to the breeze.
Two canoes with tiny sails and single
occupants, assisted by wind and pad
die, keep fairly abreast of the little
fleet as it loafs along, and those on
shore vote it a charming picture.
Several small yachts, including the
Leopard, still ride at anchor, and a
variety Of pleasure craft point toward
their moorings. An old looking cat
boat, the Helene, is moored, sheet
down, to the landing.
On board the Laura, between dis
cussing of the "vision,'' plans were
brewing for a golf match on the NOR
row; under the sails of the Thrush a
picnic and the vision were the top
les. The Nancy Deane carried Nell
Fred, Dan, and two other men to
handle the tackle, with Dan at the
tiller. Nell was a lass of 10, expert at
fly and bait casting, swimming, good
gauge hammerless, shell vest, and
with sail or oar, a favorite on the golf
course, we'll bred, happy addition to
any drawing room function, and a true
little sport in the field. Her sixteen
corduroy hunting suit were all ready
for next weeks woodcock shooting,
and she was simply killing time until
the law opened for the '1ong billed
whistler"
The trio also discussed the VISION"
who had registered: Miss Dumont"
and Miss Verna Dumont." Further
than this no one had the slightest in
formation to offer.
Fred had been markedly devoted to
Nell for over year. Dan had only
been "dangler" without hope, but
with fires smoldering: always thankful
for chance moment near Nell or even
glimpse Of her, whether at short or
long range.
At the repeated mention of the
vision" Fred withdrew more and
more within himself until his condi-
ton became one of almost stupid alb
straction.
La Dumont, upon her arrival, was
gowned in becoming tailor made of
gray, her remarkable face shaded by
fedora of fine straw, trimmed only
with band and single feather. Her
figure, slightly above medium height,
defed criticism. Her department
might have been that Of some princess
travelling incognito, and every motion
was the embodiment of grace, if not of
witchcraft. All this, however, sinks
into utter insignificance when one re-
calls her face-a classic profile, warm
brown eyes, hair trifie darker than
that of Titian's Flora" mouth ready
to relax into the most heavenly smile
or contract to the commanding express
sion Of general. Her complexion
came and went-now a creamy white
shading into the rarest pink possible
to flesh and blood; again the richer,
glowing color of the semi-brunette:
now eyes melting IN tenderest, sweet
est companionshfp; an instant later
darling defiance and daring courage
Her magnetism pervaded all intimate
surroundings compelled
Her face, impossible of complete anal
ysis, was vague, haunting, eerie. Com
positely she was an atmosphere rather
than a being, and every one who had
caught even her casual glance became
aware Of a presence
| On the landing linger quite a num-
| Der, who watch the white sails dimin-
ish. The canoes are scarcely visible.
| There is a restless movement; all eyes
| turn toward the catboat The vision
! is there with Verna by her side. Both