Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-07-20
THE TANNING OF
MRS. O'TOOLE D
By T. G. DOwLING.NAIrLAND

n GORGE WILMOT was in a particu-
III larly bad temper that sunny morn
ing as. sitting on the edge of the weir,
he angled for jack, which he knew lay
in hiding somewhere around the roots of
the reeds in the backwater.
Irritating is not the word for II, +" re-
marked Wilmot. savagely, after close on
an hours angry contemplation of his
quill float. Mrs. O'Toole is a fool! A
blind, insensate fool IL Kathleen were
not the darling girl she is, I'd tell her so
TO her face"
Having thus delivered himself Of the
above utterance. he proceeded to wind
in his line. which was rapidly drifting
down the race of the backwater, quite
oblivious to the fact that the lady 20
whom he alluded was Immediately in his
rear.
so you think am fool Ell, Mr.. VIII
mot? Why"
His surprise was so great at hearing
the unexpected voice that the rod near
ly fell from his nervous grasp.
Turning. he noted his interlocutor's
smiling proximity, coloring awkwardly
as his eyes fell on the daintily-clad fig
ure standing before him.
"well, Mr.. Wilmot, won't you tell me
why?"
81 didn't know that you were so
near Mrs. O'Toole," he said, helplessly.
q"
81 give you credit for that amount Of
politeness," she interiected, pleasantly
You are, am sure. too civil to buntly
tell me to my face that | am a fool,
whatever you may think on the subject
Since have. however, heard what your
opinion of my mental capacity is, you
will perhaps tell me what has caused
you to arrive at your conclusion"
81 was thinking of Kathleen" he re-
piled, emboldened by her pleasant man
ner.
"Ol"
"You know that you said three days
ago that you did not consider me eligible
where Kathleen was concerned" he re-
marked. affixing a minnow to his hook.
"well. And now, because that CHANGED
to be my opinion, you think that ! am
imbecile. Is that not so?"
"Mrs. o'Toole" he remarked, smiling
back at his companion when was so
misguided as to give utterance to a
thought which was conceived in anger.
was wrong. humbly apologize for so
doing. but. frankly, do not see why
you should object to my marrying your
daughter am well off. respectable.
and-Kathleen loves me almost as much
as | love her"
at sounds quite idyllic."
Eyes. Does II not?" he replied, en-
couraged by the observation Then
why should you. Mrs. O'Toole, desire to
disturb our little Eden?"
Because Kathleen is an Irish girl and
you are-English.
Don't you think that-that IS an in
sensate reason. If ever there was one?"
NO! can't say that do" she re-
Piled, flushing slightly. since I dis
like the English as | do. why should |
not rather favor the cause Of an Irish
lad. who possesses all your recommends
lions? He is every whit as well on as
you are. comes of as old a stock, and
is heir 10 a fine property. Also he is
head over ears in love with Kathleen"
Are those the only reasons which
you can put forward for refusing my
suit?" he asked. bluntly.
"All. save one" she replied.
(Which is?"
THAT prefer Denis Moore to George
wilmot. sir" she answered. mockingly.
at IS needless % speak further" he
said. sharply. Kathleen is. believe.
207"
"she isl
"And next year she viii consequently
be q"
"An age IN which. though mistress Of
her actions. she viii nevertheless be
guided by her mothers advice. " replied
Mrs. O'Toole. c00lly. Il should not base
my hopes OF marriage with Kathleen on
her attaining her majority, II I were
you. Mr.. Wilmot"
Mrs. O'Toole. I trust that you win
forgive me II I say that a parents au-
thority is at a heavy discount when Il
nnds Itself pitted against true love. he