Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-03-01

pdrculiy uOt SceluS we'll oCdnoiuAh8.
Then he sat leisurely down upon the
grassland her shoes. He pulled out
his pipe, lit it and pulled serenely,
while the evening deepened into twi-
light and then into soft and indistin-
guishabie gloom.
Meanwhile Helen sat breathless, with
her bare feet pulled up beneath her
short skirt, in imminent danger Of fall
ing if she made the slightest move
ment She thought he had not seen
her and would go away soon.
1t had been too dark to read for
some time, and it seemed ages before
he rose. Helen breathed a sigh Of re-
lief, and then, as he thought better Of
it and lay down again, she realized
how very dark 1t was and that she
was afraid to be left alone. She set
her teeth and resolved to conquer her
terror. Not for worlds would she have
him catch her in her present plight.
especially after her bad treatment Of
him that very afternoon. She regret
ted the folly Of having told him she
was afraid Of the dark and only hoped
he took 1t for a joke. II he found
her here he would do something to
get even. and, besides, she knew that
in her present softened mood she al
most wanted to stop teasing him and
let him sweep her into the strong,
sweet current Of his love. Nervous at
the thought, she dropped her book. On
its way to the grass 1t knocked Car
rolls hat from his head and his pipe
from his mouth.
"Hello! he exclaimed as If to him
self and In apparent surprise. "a book
descending like the gentle rain from
heaven! Bertha NJ. Clay too! A girl
who would wear such ridiculous little
shoes"-here he picked up and whim-
sically examined her oxfords-'would
be just the sort Of girl who reads
Bertha Clay. Guess Ill take 'em home
and advertise 'em." He put them In
his coat pocket.
"She was kind enough to leave me
her canoe too. Guess I'll 60"
Nell came near screaming after him.
Her canoe! How dared he! She could
never walk alone, and in her bare feet,
along that horrible. lonely river road.
With a gasp of terror she saw him
actually launch the little shell. but
when he leaped in and began to push
off all the terror Of the night seemed
to descend bodily upon her. Like
flash she determined to brave out the
situation.
Henry! Henry Carroll! Bring back
my boat this minute!"
"Hello" he returned, padding to
shore again. who's there, / should like
to known
"Nell Benton"
where are you? Wait till get this
thing ashore" He leaped out. where
in the world are you, NellT"
"In the tree" she called carelessly.
"Where did you think WASP"
"At home, naturally, after what you
said this afternoon"
81 changed my mind. Hand me my
shoes, please" she said sweetly, tuck
ing her toes farther up under her
skirt
w udI uc
ITO put ON, so can go home"
II don't see 1t that way. The shoes
are In my pocket; you saw me put them
there. saw you climb up there and
waited to watch you trap yourself.
You've had me up tree year now;
now I've got you up one. Guess I'll
keep you there till you promise better
manners"
ooh, never mind! / can come down
without shoes. You will please go away
now. Only don't take my boat" She
made motion as If to swing herself
down.
SWELL" he commanded, zone move
ment and I'll kick down this little ia
cob's ladder of yours and 60 home,
shoes, stockings, boat and all. It's my
innings. You have played with me long
enough. Nell, do you love meT
II couldn't love any one but a-gen-
tleman," she answered sweetly.
well waive that point. Do you love
meT He waited, then went on in a
stern tone, "I'll give you four minutes
to decide"
1t is astonishing how many things
can happen out Of doors in four min
1tes. The moon came up over the hills;
a quick breeze stirred everything into
motion: the birds walked and twittered.
Nells blood surged holly to her cheeks,
and the tide of her unacknowledged
love swelled to her lips. Still she was
hardly ready to give up. Henry struck
a match for another look at his watch.
''Three minutes gone! Nell, love
you. There is just another minute
shall never ask you again. Dear"-he
threw his cap to the ground and reach
ed his arms up TO her-"let me come
and take you, sweetheart The moon
silvered his fair face and softened the
outlines of the rugged, handsome face
upturned to her. In heart much may
happen in minute. Nell's went out to
the man below her. She stretched a
hand down toward him.
"Come. them she whispered. He
card. He leaped to her inclined plane,
lifted her in his arms and swung her to
the ground
''Do you love meF" he asked as he