Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-06-16
IcoNT1NuEp.l

CONTINUED
--.-So 1uuue no reply. The memory
of what he had so evidently wished her
to infer regarding his reasons for this
new departure came to her in an in
slant and brought a little wonderment
as to the possible outcome of it. Turn
which way she would and propose
what topic she might, he seemed bound
to use it asa vehicle of his undisguised
admiration. She had wished to con-
slider him as q friend, because he had
been friend to her adored brother
vie brother needed one. and
WIZ :5e 'lad written him dozen
chattS' Listers which might be printed
for all Tie privacy they contained. she
had studiously refrained from allow
Ing him to infer even that she had any
special interest In his actions.
When they arrived home Albert was
on the piazza and Aunt Susan had sup
per waiting. The table was set with
blue ware of very old and quaint pat
tern, and when Alice had filed bowl
with lilies for centerpiece they gather
ed around and passed things in true
country fashion. The evening was un--
usually warm for June, and after the
two young men had smoked and chat
ted for half an hour Alice appeared
dressed in spotless white, with half
open lily in her hair and another at her
throat. The moon, which was nearing
Its full, shone through the open spaces
of the vineclad porch and added an
ethereal touch to the sylphlike picture
she presented.
Well" she remarked cheerfully as
she seated herself near her brother,
my time is yours, and what can do
to entertain you"
Il had planned to take Frank to
trout brool- tomorrow morning." re-
sponded Albert, "and in the afternoon
you and he can hunt for mill ponds and
grottoes, If you like, or gather laurel"
And leave me alone all the fore
noon?" put in Alice. ''No, thank you.
I'm shut up for five days. and you can't
get rid Of me SO easily. Why can't I
go too?"
I'm agreeable" replied her brother,
3'only trout brook is not nice walking
LUZ q Auuy.
I'm aware of that" she responded,
S'and you two can go fishing, and I'll
hunt for laurel in the meantime. We.
can take basket Of lunch with us and
make a day Of 1t in the woods" Then,
as possible contingency presented it.
self to her she added: why not let
tine invite my friend, Abby Miles, togo
fortcompany? She and can pick lau-
rel. and when you have caught all the
harmless little trout you want we can
meet where we leave the wagon and
have picnic.''
THAT suits me-" said her brother,
and WithOu4 waiting for further dis
cussi0n this diplomatic fairy in white
arose and remarked: "I'll get shawl,
and then I'll trouble you, Mr.. Mason,
to escort me over to -Abby's. It's only
few rods. and l want you to meet
her. She's ever so nice.'
The plan as mapped by Alice was
carried out to the letter, and when the
two young men Joined the girls at noon
they found broad fat rock in the
woods had been covered with table
cloth, and spread with tempting meal.
The girls had gathered great punches
of pink laurel, and cluster of it deck
ed the table. After dinner Alice insist
ed that they visit the mill pond once
more, and when they returned at night
with two baskets of trout and laurel
and pond lilies enough to stock flower
stand the day was voted an eminent
success.
Frank made one error, however, for
just before they left the mill he slipped
away unobserved and, finding the mill
err, put bit of paper into his hand
with the remark, keep this to pay for
the boat" and left him hurriedly.
When the old man made examination
he found he had a five dollar bill. To
surprises of this kind he was not ac-
customed, and before noon the next day
there wasn't u man, woman or child in
Sandgate who had not heard of it.