Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-10-05

preston grew rather grave as he
took up an envelope and looked at it.
BY George!" he said, all the rest
doesn't matter; but this doesn't be.
long to me-"
Leslie stood and looked down at him
anxiousy. She was thinking OF
colds and rheumatism while the
young fellow sat so perfectly content
ed in his wet clothes.
Don't YOU think-had you not bet.
ter go home and change your things
as quickly as possible " she said, for.
getting her shyness in her anxiety.
Why, ! shall be dry in ten
minutes" he said, carelessly. And /
sha'nt take any harm ii I'm not /
never caught cold in my life; besides,
salt water never hurts"
Il don't believe that; IFS fallacy,
she said. Some Of the old fishermen
here suffer terribly from rheumatism. "
That's because they're old, you
see" he said, smiling Up at her; and
! If you think it's so dangerous, hadn't
/ you better put Master Dick down,
He Is making you awfulIy wet"
- am so glad to get him back that
| don't mind his making me a little
damp; but | do wish you would go."
/ He did not seem to hear her, burt
after another glance at the letter
/ said:
Il picked this up just over there"
and he nodded in the direction OF the
4 Cliff-"and | should like to find its
owner though | expect she won't
thank me very much when she sees
It's condition. Have you been here
long? DO you konw the people here
pretty well?"
We have been here some months. 70
said Leslie, ''and-yes, think | know
! them all"
Now who does she mean by we
her husband?" MOI" he assured
himself. She can't be married; too
Young and happy looking.
We'll, then, perhaps you may know
young lady by the name OF Leslie
/ Leslie Lisle?" he said.
THAT is my name; it is L." she re-
piled.
BY George!" he exclaimed. "Then
there Is your property" and he held
out the letter.
Leslie took 1t, and, as she looked at
the address, flushed hotly--it was
Ralph Duncombes missing letter
My father dropped 1t. Thank you.
I'm sorry that | didn't put 1t in my
coatpocket instead OF my waistcoat,"
he said. But | knew IL did that
should forget it perhaps for weeks.
always forget letters that fellows ask
me to post. SO | put 1t in with my
watch, that | might come across 1t
when | looked at the time, and so it's
got wet; but as 1t was opened you
have read 1t, SO that | hope 1t doesn't
matter SO much"
mo, ] haven't read it-papa al
ways opens my letters-he doesn't
notice the difference; 1t does not
matter In the least. ! know what was
! In It, thank YOU" she said hurriedly.
/ Il wish some one would always
open ami read my letters, and an
swer them too" said Yorke, as
he thought OF the neat pile of bills
which awaited him every morning at
breakfast. Are you staying mean
lodging visiting here, Miss LeslieY'
he asked, for the sake of saying some.
thing that would keep her by his
side for ut least a few minutes longer.
Yes" said Leslie. I'VE are stay
Ing In the Street, as 1t is called at
Sea View"
1T Is very pretty place, isn't it?"
Very" assented Leslie, "and quiet.
There Is no prettier place on the coast
than Portmaris."
80 should think" he said, look.
ing round; then turning to the beauti.
ful face: Il am a stranger, and only
arrived an hour or two ago"
He looked down, trying to think or
something else to say, but could think
of nothing.
Leslie stood silent for moment.
! Then she said
VIII you not go and change your
things now? Dick would be very
sorry II you were to catch cold on his
account"
1t was on the tip OF Yorke's tongue
to ask: only Diclt?" but once more
he checked himself. The retort would
have come naturally enough II he had
been addressing London belle, but
there was something in the beautiful
gray eyes-an Understandable express.
sion of maidenly dignity and reserve
which. sweet MS 1t was. warned him
that such conversational small change
would not he acceptable to Miss Leslie,
so, instead. he said, with smile:
"Oh, Dick won't mind. Besides, he
knows | am almost as dry as he is
by this time"
Leslie shook her head as II in con,