Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-03-02

who, with his shirt-sleeves tucked up
to his elbows, is welding the long
punt-pole with vigorous pushes, which
shoot the light vessel with graceful
velocity toward the bank.
May looks around, and strains her
eyes, but before she can speak, the
gentleman turns, and giving one last
push, stands erect and raises his cap
MAY, it's Sir Heron" whispers Car
RE. "Shall we go?'
Before May can answer, the end of
the punt runs ashore, and Sir Heron
leaps onto the bank and holds out his
hand. 1t Is so sudden, and so I'M
expected, that he seems to have drop
ped from the clouds, and in Carries
eyes-to say nothing Of May's-he
looks not unlike one of those heroes
of northern legends who came stall
wart and powerful, at helpless maiden's
/ call
SO handsome, so strong so noble
might Perseus have looked when he
came-in silver armor instead of shirt
| -sleeves-to fight and conquer the fell
( dragon of old
! "G0od-morning. Was it you | heard
calling? Yes; you want to go across.
Win you let me take you?" and, with
out waiting for an assent, he turns
around and calls-there is no occa-
sion for his deep, strong voice to
shout "All right, Rogers" and
Rogers touches his hat. and trudges in
to his cottage again. what a beau
! tiful morning! You are quite right
to come out--quite right. Are you
tired after last nights dissipation.
mo, not at all need not ask you
the same question"
This is my sister; Carrie, this Is
Sir Heron Letchford."
Carrie gravely makes her little stiff
curtsey-half curtsey, half bow; but
Sir Heron, with a smile, holds out his
palm, and encloses the soft little
hand.
"You came just in time" he says,
striding down to the punt and arrang-
ing a run in the stern. 81 was fishing
around by the ack, who resolutely de-
clined to be caught. Just in time to
earn an honest penny; twopence,
thoughts a penny each, you know,
Now, them" and he holds out his
Land, and helps May to embark; but
when Carrie puts out her hand, he
takes her under the arms, just as if l
were a child" as she says, laughingly,
afterward, and sets her down beside
! May
"Sit on the coat" he says; "the punt
may be damp with dew" But May
hesitates
you must obey the captain" he
says, with a grave smile. And so
they sit down.
Then he thrusts the long pole,
which looks no heavier than a match
in his strong white hands, into the
water, and the punt shoots out into
the stream, which sweeps with artful,
soft insidiousness againt it, and
trie to force it around; but, with an
other sklllful thrust, Sir Heron keeps
the head of the punt toward the OPP
posite shore, and with another is about
To drive on land, when he stops its
course suddenly, and says:
What are you going to do-sketch?"
yes" says May
"You can't get any views on that
side nothing worth speaking Of" he
says, with an air which he tries to
make matter-of-fact
ooh 1t does not matter" says May,
quickly; 'the sketching Is only an eX-
cuse for ramble."
you'll find the grass very wet under
those trees It's October, you know,
Notwithstanding the sunshine. Now,
If you want to see a good view for a
sketch. there's the weir!"
Thanks" says May; eve will walk
up the path toward it,"
Heb he says, thoughtfully. I'm
i afraid you won't see much that way.
What do you say to punting up the
river to it? 1t isn't far-you can hear
it. Listen!"
Thank you very much, but we could
not think of troubling you. We will
walk as far as we can get"
ut is no trouble" he says. Then he
looks at Carries face, which has been
growing each moment more eager and
wistful. you'd like to go, Miss Car
RE, wouldn't you!"
"Oh, yes"
Then she glances at May hurriedly,
but Sir Heron is far too quick to seize
his advantage.
"Then I'm sure your sister won't
deny you,' he says Come along"
and he sends the punt skimming into
the stream again.
isn't It delightful, May" whispers
/ Carrie; Sir Heron's back is turned
! toward them, and he Is apparently alb.
sorbed in his labor you don't mind
do you--not really?"
1T wouldn't matter much il did.
There's no help for it-unless we
swim to land"
"But isn't It beautiful, and how
tpnno ha muSt ha Mnv ito Iilye