Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-01-05

Ntiiiciii utSh ana III Il cigar prepar4
tory to few minutes chat.
"Ile never has shown any special
fondness for tobacco" 49, her smile
struck Ferroll as possessing qualities
Of unconyentiopality md good cqu.
radeship-"h | really think he likes
the smell of it out here in the woods.
We like anything that offers a change.
That's the reason we are rusticatlug. $
She told Eerroll about the log cabin
and Sally.
You are rather pmcky woman
he looked ut her admiringly why
did you come absolutely aloneY
That's the nice part" She fastened
wreath Of green leaves around the
neck OF the slumbering Billie. Il was
tired OF everybody, and. If YOU must
know the exact TRUTH ran away TO
keep from being married for my
money. had nm idea that match
making friend was connecting 4
scheme to deprive me OF my liberty"
Ferroll showed sudden interest.
1--WE have Il bond of sympathy" ne
said, watching his creditable perform
ance nj making smoke rings in the
calm summer mir. Il have an aunt In
Newport who was absolutely deter
mined l should visit her this summer.
She had picked out rich old maid
who owned lovely cottage. and had
II all planned that | was to 20. to see
and TO conquer said spinster, So. you
see. l came down here TO keep from
being forced into marrying for money
II used TO know some people in New
port. What's your aunt's name?
she asked. with pretense OF idle curl
osity.
Mrs. Fenlon. She has been there
for the last three years only" And
his observation being concentrated on
his newest smoke ring he failed to see
the crimson that flushed her face when
he mentioned the name of her own next
door neighbor mt Newport
Billie's mistress sat under the tree
by the creek one day until she had flu
ished her book. and still Ferroll had
not appeared
she leaned over and patted the dog 5
head.
Its the first time in three weeks
that he has not been here first, Billie,
she said
Billie gave snort that either cX-
pressed rdicule for the anxiety in her
"A Al Of lao ., hts "A, rs
rubbed the wrong way; then he sud
denly sat up to listen, and in a few
minutes Ferroll came down the path.
For the first time he came without
his fishing tackle. He threw himself
down on the ground beside them and
scowled into the dogs welcoming eyes
billie, ] want you to know that I'm
an egregious IDIOT Perhaps you viii
be somewhat ut sea as to the meaning
of egregious. but | assure you it's The
very worst kind of IDIOT
Miss Winchester raised her eyebrow
in sympathetic surprise.
Suppose you tell us how you became
aware of your mental defects sh'
suggested.
lie pulled the dogs head over on hi
knee
billie | dare not tell how | dis
| covered the fact of my idiocy. Las
night when | left the creek | was
| happy man. | had determined to com,
down here this morning and ask yol
how you would like to live in house
with doctors sign on 1t. l had &
faint hope that your mistress would
hate To give you mp and would come
too. to look after you, you know. But
Billie, that hope Is as dead ms door
nail had letter from my aunt this
morning, and she mentioned casually
oh, yes. darn caSually-that she was
glad | had postponed my visit, as Miss
Julia Winchester was not at home and
she would not have me miss having a
trial ut winning her money for any
thing"
The woman sat perfectly quiet while
he continued his condolences.
"Now. she would always think ! was
after her money, you unsympathetic
brute, and, to make matters worse, !
have kept her amused for three weeks
with jokes about the old maid at New
port. Billie, do you think there Is a
living woman that would overlook be-
ing called an old maid?'
She reached over and took hold of
one of the dogs maltreated ears.
Lend me an ear, Billie, You ought
to be a well trained dog. for | have
spent hours on your education. Get
up and express nicely to the gentle
man your Overwhelming desire to live
in house ornamented by doctors
sign"
Then she managed to force her head
away from Ferroils shoulder long
enough to add another sentence:
you might state that your mistress
has fondness for cgregious idiots,
Billie"