Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-01-26

y
diadalned TO notice the most artistic
flies of the gentlemen sportsmen or
their liveliest mmnows. His special
haunt was beneath the roots OF the
bag bending sycamore which leaned
far out over the stream Without n
tremor she climbed into the trees low
crotch by pathway of loosely laid
rails, established herself as comfort.
ably as possible and dropped her hook
right In front of the big fellows nose.
She could not see him-the water was
just delicately turbid from rains two
days back-but she felt him nibble n
bit, then saw the water swirl as with
an upward rush. Presently she saw
him leap half out of the water ten
yards away. She drew in her hook to
find half the bait bitten off. and as she
put on fresh worms she said. with a
smiling nod: "Old man, Sukey ought to
have come along. She could have got
points on how to hook and land the
preacher"
she was too intent on sport to hear a
little stitlod laugh. Indeed, she had
no consciousness of anything just then
but the matter in hand She had cast
q little way from where the trout
broke. For perhaps two minutes the
float lay aggrayatingly expressionlcss,
simply drifting bit in the eddy of the
pool then it went under with rush,
to come up two yards away and 90
down again almost instantly The
trout. bold from long impunity. had
swallowed the hook.
Alicia did not try to haul him in at
once. Instead she let him play up
stream and down. taking in the slack
with bare hands and letting it 20 back
with a rush that must have bewildered
her captive After a ten minutes fight
she hauled in her quarry two pounds
of cleaning silver, and, holding him
fast made to scramble down TO the
bank
DiSmay Smote her as she turned
about. The rails had slipped down.
She was fairly cntrappcd. The tree
crotch ovcrhun@ tie &ater. which was.
she knew. wei over her head. Al
though she could swim little, she did
not like TO risk a plunge. Yet there
seemed no alternative. The landward
side of the big tr;nk was not to be
reached from whore she sat She made
an impatient little swing OF her catch,
saying There. you'll get back in the
water after an and take me with you.
l think I'll tie you to me and make you
swim out"
Better not" a mans voice said
little way OFF Il don't believe he
would swim out He'd rather keep you
down ut the bottom
Then come and take me down."
Alicia said disdainfully, angry beyond
words that anything masculine could
thus calmly contemplate her plight in
stead OF flying to the rescue. She
heard long, firm steps approaching. BY
craning her neck severely she saw
man, young, handsome well set up,
evidently an athlete and fashionably
dressed 80 YOU are Alicia Blair, my
hostess in part.
"And how came you here when you
are looked for ut the house" Alicia
demanded severely.
Paul Redmond laughed. Because l
had rather be here" he retorted. MY
traps have gone on houseward to an
nounce me. but | heard so much OF
that 'tomboy granddaughter on the
way from town, when my guide, Dea-
con Ests who fetched me by the short
cut to show me well, several things
said that she is, right now, a-feeShin'.'
simply had to come and see for my
self"
How long SINGER Alicia asked her
face scarlet Redmond laughed again.
THE point is iIumaterial," he SAID.
Just now the burning question is,
How shall | get DOWN.
That's easy Put up the rails and go
away" Alicia said.
Redmond shook his head. Il can't
trust you. The rails might Slip he
said. Il know Il better way, but first
fling me your fish.
Obedicntly Alicia swung him her
gasping prize. He at once slipped
timber pronged twig through Its gllls
and anchored it comfortably In the
stream, saying: Let the example bear
fruit, Miss Alicia Don't give any OF
your later captiyes needless agony
You don seem to care about me-
I'm very uncomfortable, Alicia said
with spirit. IF you won't put up the
rails. at least 80 away. The water Is
deep-stilp'-
you are not going into it, Redmond
said quickly, stepping upon the lean
ing trunk and clinging fast to 1t win
one arm. He held the other out toward
her, saying with twinkle: zone, two
three Here we 90! Jump! I'll eaten
you right rs a trivet.'
Il won't jump Alicia said with her
grandcSt air
Redmond looked at her severely.
You will jump he repeated ana
right straight off. It's going to RAIN
like fun in about twenty minutes, ana
unless YOU take me to the house shall
get very wet"
Il think you are--despicable," Alicia
pouted But as he looked ut her, snli-
ing more roguishly than ever, she gave
spring, was caught and swung safe
10 the bank. 20 Redmond Sa'i 80
Ter. her eyes fa!rly dancing. j uoh