The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-18
HOOKING The VETERAN.

pounced upon wyndhan in a body but he had an air
Of genial aooness that stopped while fascinated them
Then ne had a boy-a big-eyed, silent oldfashioned
lad Of &c. who followed him like spaniel and avoided
the other children the resort The pretty
marrageabie age and tendency decided that Wyhdham
was married man. No widower. they thought could
have resisted them for whole nobody
anything about him he enthusiastic fisherman.
and at each morning his boy and he down
by the river for the early bass
Old Mrs. Dawson whose daughter Chloe the
leading spirit of community being
rheumatism too early one morning met him and his
boy in the orchard with their tackle and luncheon
the water.
Good morning. sir she said You're not going
hshing?"
Yes. Mrs DAWSON he said. without pausing.
wen luck anyway."
But catch anything sir. The all
tried the first week they didn't anything
show for their trouble
oh. wen better than that ma am he said pass
ing down the hill with. Shall I send you bass FOR
Yes. 1Ir. wyndhann dare YOU"
And at breakfast hour later she told the story
of Wyndhams vain journey. The laughed and
agreed there flsh the Beechy river that
the newcomer would have his early breakfast and his
trouble for a reward. presently Bertha, the
ress brought in smoking hot. boiled bass said
This is for and your daughter DAWSON
For us?" cried Chloe widening great blue eyes
as she gazed at the beautiful dish and did he bring
it up hmself2'
Nom. He sent Ernest his boy It's the biggest
ones been ketehed here for four since
! come"
waters Of the Beechy looked enviousiy the three
FOUNDER which Miss Chloe apportoned herself her
mother and the ladies the table
This Wyndham be a fisherman.
No. no. Fishermen never have such luck"
He'll quit when he finds that he caught the oldest
inhabtant,
I his first shall be the last"
And they made light of the strangers prowess be-
cause they didn't ike to the spos laid like trophy
upon Choes plate
The morning while wyneham and his boy were
away Mrs. Davidson, wandering among little
sroup Of cottages strangers screen door
ajar and the itself wide open. "Il close it
before the flies in she thought. when she
at the threshold empty envelope on the
floor She had trouble in reading the address 1t
was Graham Wyndham, col Park Terrace. Town" In
side OF week Mrs Dawson knew all about him;
did Chloe Being self-confdent artIess garrulous
girl she told everybody else and Wyndhams popularity
increased he might have been left 10 his boy
and his fishing and his peace If he had been married
or poor, or less handsome behold. But he was a
"ldo"er with but one child wealth and surpass-
ing puchritude. Therefore there fixed
up pcncs planned and dozen less pretentous feminine
traps laid for. his wary heart.
But the handsome widower evaded all these designing
decoys. He his mornings by river, read his
went to bed with his each night 9 He declined
all invitations with impartial courtesy.
talked openly of their dsappointments regard
ing him He cocklike in his regularity that the
men began to at him and lay wagers about his
fishing exploits. In two weeks, including Sundays.
he changed not his habits then. he had
failed provide breakfasters least
fish. So that it became practice the boarders
regard Wyndham that the bet the yield OF his
skill with the rod and the future
book their chances by booking his appear
ance in the little society circle of Terraceport
He was knee deep in the water morning. ready
for far cast when he heard Ernest, who catching
frogs among the weeds. say '-Mornn'. Chloe
looking up he brink above him Miss Dawson
herself, her like a wild her Ike a
wind blown aureole of gold.
What luck, wyndham?" She smiled as she
said it, and he paused gazing with astonshed pleasure
at her radiant beauty
No this instant Miss DAWSON he an
swered CALAMITY Il haven't had strike yet. You're
down early, aren't your"
Yes early But came down to tell you
that Tompkns and Mr.. Eldridge have got a big bet
on this morning. They're getting excited because
you haven't fish yet. Mr.. Tompkns has bet
$40 that don't make good he calls it. this
ing. and the other thinks will So there you
are. just came down 10 tell that reputation
IS stake"
And how do YOU bet. Miss Davison?" asked wyndhsm
trying long throw into a Swallowed eddy
"Oh. I haven't bet, but / think you'll get fish. I
hope Tompkins is first cousin know and
I'd like TO him lose He's tease. and-yes.
he's dreadfuiy vain"
I'm afraid he's going to win. though" said the
fisherman. hooking lively frog This time he got
brisk strike. bat the product only baby bass.
which he put back into the river. Why did you put
Il back2" she asked, sitting down 10 the shade
he velvet green TOO small" he nuttered nothing
ess taan a two-pounder me. Miss DAWSON
He again. and looking up for instant asked;
How long do those hode'
Ill nine She pulled ont her tiny watch froNrcd
and said It's only now
Are you coming my lawn party Mr. Wyndham2'
he asked suddenly when he had put back another OF
he small fry.
lie did answer. for the siIken line whistlsng
strike. he lost it. and he waded take
fresh bait from Ernest he looked narrowly at her
md murmured Are YOU going TO have lawn par;y7'
''Win YOU let try fish Mr. Wyndhamg
He laughed assent mpsled the wrggng frog and put
ne rod her pretty hands re told her how
wing bamboo and frowned when she laughed
i'm but she cluns the chance learn and instead
keeping her the fishing chartered about her
avn party
You won't think forward 81 tsn little
ecret 81 miner" she eooed.
No. indeed. There Press thumb the reel.
-. he's
wen shen. whispering II yau don't come III lose
box ~ gloves
you've been betting that I'd conner
i bet vou.r
At shat instant ghe .ine ara the song
isht brought he ssnse q couhat BIS face. Vow
s cried strike HIM Shaking ~th excitement
be pressed her thumb the iitte haunns Efntias-
nd the stricken bass saped up Hto the
SHIT shook his silver arIaor IN dshanca. ne took
Be rns and played TIE brave III Il lay isari1g
be grass
Hes = warrior Chloe said wynefara exostefiT.
ee tho Old ingruwz his f4ss Yes have hcosed
veteran. and zin the