Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-10-17
Continued.

Thames Dutton, one of the prettiest
parts of the Thames, and it had been
arranged that the gentlemen should
row up to the island, hence the white
flannel and cheviot costumes. They
found boats awaiting them at the river
side, and, with much laughing and
gayety, started.
It was a beautiful scene, the river
cleaning like a food of silver between
it's banks of green meadows and state
ly trees, the three boats with their
bright colored occupants. Una, who
was of natures own kin, was filed with
delight; it was better than being at
Warden. She leaned back in her
comfortable seat in the stern OF the
foremost boat, rapt in silent enjoy
ment.
Lady Bell looked at her rather visit
fully.
"How happy you look, child" she
said, in lower voice than usual.
81 am quite happy" said Una,
simply.
"You are just the person for a pic
MIC" said Lady Clarence. II feel sure
that you would look just as contented
and serene if it rained in torrents,
while the rest of us would be running
about bemoaning our spoiled clothes"
Una laughed.
'T am not afraid of rain,'' she said.
"That's fortunate, Miss Rolfe," said
Dalrymple, who was pulling stroke,
and exerting himself nobly, while Het-
ley. pulling behind him, allowed him to
do all the work That's fortunate, as
we shall be sure to have shower or
two-always do at water picnic"
''No prophesying, marquis!" cried
Lady Bell. There isn't cloud in the
sky; there isn't a sign of wet
'Tm sorry for that" he said, with
mock gravity, "for I'm fearful thirsty.
They paid no attention to this broad
hint, however, until they were going
through Teddington Lock. when Lady
Bell produced some champagne and
soda water, and Hetley made cool
ing cup.
When it came to Una's turnkey all
drank out of the same cup, a splendid
silver tankard, chased with the Earls-
ley arms-she glanced at it askance
and shook her head.
But you must, my dear Una,' said
Lady Bell. "You will be parched.'
LET me have some water" said Una,
and making cup of her hand-a trick
she had learned at very early age
she bent over the boat and as quietly
and naturally drank draught.
The countess looked at her earnest
Iy, and Sir Arkroyd muttered to Dali
Tymple:
Where did she come from?"
81 don't know said Dalrymple, in
the same tone. I'D stick to water all
the day if she'd let me drink it out of
the same cup. Isn't she beautiful
perfectly lovely!"
Hush, she'll hear you," muttered
Sir Arkroyd, warningly.
But he need not have feared.
Una sat like the dream-maiden in the
ballad, deaf to all but the splash of the
oars and the music of the birds.
Presently the stately pile of Hamp-
ton Court Palace glided, as it were, in
to their view, and with a long pull
Dalrymple sent the boat to the island.
The two other boats were close be-
hind and then these grand people who
were accustomed to be waited on hand
and foot, got out and dragged hampers
under the shadow of the oaks and will
lows; and the countess and Lady Clar-
ence laid the cloth, while Lady Bell and
the rest knelt beside the hampers and
pulled out the things one by one. Then
Sir Arkroyd was sent to lay the cham
payne bottles in the shallow water, and
DaIrymple was handed dish and the
ingredients for making the salad.
In a few minutes luncheon was set
out to the accompaniment of much
laughter, and few accidents. One
OF the champagne bottles had slid into
the deep water and disappeared to the
bottom of the river to astOnish the fish.
The corkscrew followed it; and dismay
fell on all, until the viscount calmly
produced another from his pocket.
Never go to a picnic without a
corkscrew," he said, shaking his head.
Generally have to produce it, too"
Then there was much dragging about
of hampers, and arranging of shawls
and boat cushions to provide seats for
the ladies; but at last all were seated,
and Dalrymple, brandishing a knife in
dangerous proximity to Lady Pierre
points head, cut the first slice of raised
pie.
Then it was discovered how easy
it is to make jokes at picnic. You
can't be stately and ceremonious sit
ting cross-legged on the grass, and bal
ancing your plate on your knees; es-
pecially when, in consequence of there
not being quite enough knives, you
have to lend the one you are using to
your next-door neighbor.
AS usual, too, there were not quite
enough plates and those dainty gentle
49,, uvL,o iy1+o ffc If fu foil into