Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-06-26

Continued.
By Charles Oarvjce

there is Mrs. BOXalT'-She breaks on
as that good lady's voice is heard al
the bottom of the stairs. announcing
tea.
With persons of the Boxall class
tea is the meal of the day-it is the
one meal which all can partake OF IN
mutal leisure and ease.
Mr.. Boxall is one Of those men who
praise be to them-'a always come
home to tea;;" and seldom does he ar
rive without some dainty to enrich
their festive repast.
Tonight there is dish Of tea-cake,
cold ham, and some steWed Normandy
pippins-the latter specially provided
for Carrie, who has not yet passed the
sweet-tooth age.
Mr.. Boxall-who has exchanged his
city coat and boots for lounge jacket
and slippers-greets them with his
usual smile-a smile Of affection and
respect, finely commingled, and draws
Carries favorite chair to the fire, as
he shakes hands with May.
Never in all his life has the worthy
little man been so happy as he has
been during these past few weeks.
The mere fact of having the two
beautiful girls beneath his roof and
under his protection is a source of de-
light to him. In the city le holds his
head even higher than he used when
be was confidential clerk TO the great
Samuel Dalton; all day long he is on
the lookout for something to buy as a
treat for one or both of them.
For May he entertains respect that
is as like the feudal devotion as we
can approach in these matter-of fact
days; and for Carrie, golden-haired
Carrie, he cherishes a love that is
simply paternal.
If they want to repay him for all
that he has done for them, they have
only to smile and look happy, and his
gratitude knows no bounds.
Tonight as he draws Carries chair
forward, and puts another for May at
the table, where she will insist upon
cutting the bread and butter and as
sisting generally, he beams more
cheerily than ever. May, as she meets
his beaming smile, feels the Vicar OF
Warley's letter burning like a coal in
her pocket.
We'll, Miss Carrie" he says. rub
hing his bands, "did you think I was
never coming? I ought to apologize
for being so late. I've been detained
in the city No, I've motive been
to the West End and he smiles. I'm
afraid you find it very dull, Miss
Maya"
dull, moi" says May, cutting away
at the bread and butter
"Oh, but you do, you know!" he
says, confidently know you do
You miss things-it's natural. You
miss your horse-riding, for instance.
and your music, eh?"
May shakes her head.
ooh, but you do! Come now, be can.
did," he says. But you shan't miss
it long-not after tomorrow, Miss
May"
Tomorrow" asks May, smiling
across the table at him.
Eyes," he mods, with beaming
smile. 81 didn't mean to say any.
thing about it. but I'm bail one to
keep a secret. I've bought piano
for you young ladies'; none of your
German instruments, but a real Broad.
wood. Oh, 1 hope l know what is
due you, my dears?"
May puts down the knife and looks
across at him with something like
sorrowful regret.
ooh, Mr.. BoXall!"
Mr.. Boxall rubs his hands with
keen enjoyment. for her 'lismay.
and why oh, Mr.. BoXall?'" he
says, with a chuckle. do you think
i was going to let you NOPE and pine
for want of little music? Besides
you needn't look so sorrowful, Miss
May; it's pieceof pure selfishness, fol-
it's me and the missis will benefit by
it. You can't play it without ou1
hearing it. hope you'll like it. They
say it's a fine tone. and you needn't
think anything of it. I've had a very
good week in the city, as your poor
father used to say, and I've cleared
two, ali, half-aJdozen BroadwOods
WHATS the matter, MISS carrie! Iol
Carrie began to whimper.
May goes around to him and puts
her hand on his arm-the thin, small
arm that has done knights service il
her behalf.
II am so sorry you should have
done this" she says, and her lip:
culver. 81 am afraid you Will think u:
ungrateful; but-but you will reat
that, Mr.. BoXall? You will not mis-
understand us, will your" and sh'
puts the advertisement and letters IL
his hand.
With knitted browS he reads them
reads them over twice, then looks a
her, CONSERVATION and Indignation bat
Ting for mastery.
What" ne exclaims, at last. "Yol
don't mean this? It's a joke, Mis-
May" and he laughs, but Mays sor