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

Just IN time 10 n0lp WASH up, SAID
Dalrymple. We've eaten all the straw
berries, old man, and there isn't much
cream. It's lucky for you there is any
pie"
Don't pay any attention to them,
Mr.. Newcombe," said Lady Bell. and
how soft and sweet her voice sounded,
with it's undertone of tenderness. 81
am so sorry you are late. Do not let
them hurry you. You must be so tired.
Let me give you some handsome
tongue, them"
And she herself cut a slice and put
it on his plate.
Don't let me stop the fun" said
Jack, in his grave way. "Go on with
your games. What was it-kiss-in-the-
ring?"
There was laugh; the lightest joke
will serve at picnic.
Il was haunted by the dread that
should come just in time to find
everything cleared UP. What beau
tiful day! No, no more, thanks
''Let me give you some champagne, .
said Lady Bell, and reached forward
with the goblet in her hand.
Jack took it, and nodded over it in
true picnic fashion.
Thanks" he said, and raised it to
his lips.
At that moment Lady Bell looked up,
and, seeing Una standing still and mo-
tionless, beckoned her.
Mechanically Una went round to
her, and so stood in front Of Jack.
His eyes we're fixed at the bottom of
the cup at the moment, but presently
he lifted them, and, with a sharp cry,
he let the cup fall to the ground and
sprang to is feet.
And then he stood staring at her
downcast face with startled eyes and
pale countenance.
"Hallo! Take care!' cried Dalrym.
pie. what are you up to now, Saw
age? Anything bitten your"
Lady Bell looked from one to the
other, from Una's white, downcast
face to Jacks pale, startled one.
''Una,' she breathed, what is it?"
But Jack recovered himself.
Gust like you fellows" he said.
Didn't you know that you had pitched
me on an ants nest? What did you
say, Lady Bell? I beg your pardon. I
don't think there is much spilled, and
there is nothing broken
And he knelt down and picked up the
cup.
Lady Bell laughed.
81 couldn't think what was the mat
ter" she said. "Are you really bit
Iten?"
Gust like jack" said Sir Arkroyd,
with philosophic calmness. HE is
never happy unless he is breaking
something. l give you my word that
he smashes more glasses at the club
than any other man."
always was clumsy" said Jack,
with constrained laugh.
Lady Bell smiled.
"You have quite frightened my
friend, Miss Rolfe," she said. "Una,
this unfortunate gentleman is Mr..
Newcombe."
Jack had given her time, and she
was able now to look at him calmly.
Jack bowed, his eyes glancing at her
as if they scarcely dared trust the
evidence of their own senses.
''Pray forgive me- he said. 81 am
very awkward. But I don't break quite
so many things as they say Is there
any more champagne, Lady Earlsley?
don't deserve it, know"
Todv Rpl1 took I'm hottie
"Pour this into the cup, Una," she
said, with a smile. 1t is true he
doesn't deserve it, but we will be
merciful."
Una took the bottle and leaned for
ward, and as she did SO Jack rose and
stood before her, so that he screened
her trembling hand from the eyes OF
the rest
His own trembled, his own heart
beat wildly; all else save the beaut1-
full face so close to his own swan be-
fore his eyes.
Was he dreaming, or was it really
she? He could not trust his eyes,
he felt that he must touch her.
Slowly he put out his hand, and
gently, tremblingly touched her white
slender wrist.
Instantly she raised her eyes and
looked at him, long, piteous look,
as if he had struck her.
Yes, it was she. 1t was Una, his
forest-maiden.
With a long breath he raised the
cup to his lips and drained it, then
sank down on the grass and took up
his plate, scarcely knowing what he
was doing.
The laughing voices around him
seemed blurred and indistinct in his
ears, the green trees and silver stream
seemed to fade and vanish, and give
place to the silent glade in which he
had sat with the same beautiful girl
bending over him.
Mechanically he went through the
pretense of eating until a burst OF