Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-10-30

eve will not look at it this morning
at any rate, until we have had break
fast, DEAR" she says. ct is wonder
full how much better and brighter
the world and everything in it looks
after a cup of coffee. But papa, you
must not work today; you must take
a rest"
"a rest?" he responds, impatiently.
Eyes, you know how often you say
that working against the grain is
time and energy wasted. And there
is another reason, DEAR" she goes on,
brightly; 1--WE have an invitation for
today"
ga what?" he asks, ENORMOUSLY.
can invitation, dear. We have
been asked to drive to St. Martin.
Last night"-a faint blush rises to
her cheeks-"I ran down to the
beach to--find something I had lost,
and I saw Mr. Temples friend, and
we went for a sail with old William,
and afterward I saw Mr. Temple out
SIDE Marine Villa, and they have
with them to ST. Martin. 1t was the
duke who asked u.s." she adds, can
didly. "But Mr.. Tempe was just as
kind and pressing. I hope you will
go, dear"
He puts the thin, struggling hair
from his forehead with a nervous ges-
ture.
"What are you talking about, Les
lie? What duke?"
"It appears that the young man
who went in for Dick yesterday, Mr..
Temples friend, is duke-the Duke of
Rothbury," she replies.
Like herself, he is neither elated
nor awed, but he looks a distinct re
fIsal Of the invitation
''The Duke of Rothbury?" he says.
CT think I've heard the title some
where. Why do they ask us to go
with them? I don't want to go, and
I suppose you don't care for it. They
are strangers strangers to
u.s.
zone has already proved himself a
very kind friend" says Leslie,
gently.
"You mean in buying the picture?
Yes, yes; but you know how 1 dislike
strangers and-excursions of this
kind. And if you don't want to go
very much I'd rather not Besides
I don't particularly care about max
ing the acquaintance of the duke.
am an artist-a professional man
and do not believe in associating
with persons so far above me in rank.
No, we had better decline. I dare say
my head will be all right presently,
and I shall be able to work, and you
can come with me and mix the col
ors, and so on
Very well, dear" she says, strug
Cling to repress a sigh. "You shall
do just as you like. l should IKE to
have gone, and the drive would have
done you good"
"I am quite WE'LL and hate long
drives-especially in the company Of
dukes. What is he doing here?" he
asks testify. "And you say you went
for a sail with him last EVENING""
'Yes," said Leslie, with sigh that
will not be repressed, as she thinks
of the moonlit sea and the pleasant
companion, who, unfortunately, has
turned out a duke-''yes; and he was
very kind and nice and not bit like
a grand parsonage" she adds with a
smile. Gle looked exactly like a
fisherman last night, and talked like
a young man fresh from school or
college. He is not my idea Of duke
lat all. l fancy I must have thought
that dukes talked in blank verse and
habitually wore their coronets and
robes"
He waves the subject aside with
nervous impatience. "I don't know
anything about them, and I don't
want to- he says, getting up and fid-
getting around the picture 1--WE got
this sky too deep, I Think he cop-
tinues, in an inaudible mutter.
Leslie knows that it is useless to
say any more, and is silent; and
when the breakfast things are clear
ed away she gets out her plain little
desk to write refusal.
But at the outset she finds herself
in difficulty. "Mr. and Miss Lisle
regret" etc., sounds too formal after
that exceedingly informal sail last
night; and yet she does not know
how to begin the note in the first
person. Should she address him as
Dear Duke" or "Your Grace" or
"My Lord" or how?
did you ever write to a duke,
papa?" she asks at last, playing a
tattoo with the pen-holder upon her
white, even teeth.
"Never, thank Heaven!" he says,
absently.
'Then you cannot help me-" she
says with a sigh, and ultimately she
puts the note in the usual formal
so10