The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-01-26

DiS DelltlHS sycamore WHICH leaned
far out over the stream Without Il
tremor she climbed into the trees low
crotch by Il pathway of loosely laid
rails, established herself as comfort
ably as possible and dropped her hook
right in front of the big fellows nose
She could not see him-the water was
just delicately turbid from rains two
days back-but she felt him nibble a
bit. then saw the water swirl as with
an upward rush. Presently she saw
him leap half out of the water ten
yards away. She drew in her hook. to
find half the bait bitten off. and as she
put on fresh worms she said. with Il
smiling nod: odd man. Sukey ought to
have come along. She could have got
points on how to hook and land the
preacher"
She was too intent on sport to hear Il
little stifed laugh. Indeed. she had
no consciousness of anything just then
but the matter in hand. She had cast
n little way from where the trout
broke. For perhaps two minutes the
float lay aggravatingly eXpressionless.
simply drifting bit in the eddy of the
pool; then it went under with rush,
TO come up two yards away and go
down again almost instantly. The
trout. bold from long impunity. had
swallowed the hook.
Alicia did not try 10 haul him in at
once Instead she let him play up
stream and down. taking in the slack
with bare hands and letting it 80 back
with Il rush that must have bewildered
her captive. After a ten minutes fight
she hauled in her quarry, two pounds
of cleaning silver, and, holding him
fast. made to scramble down to the
bank.
Dismay smOte her as she turned
about. The rails had slipped down.
She was fairly entrapped. The tree
crotch overhung the water, which was.
she knew, well over her head. AL
though she could swim little, she did
not like to risk a plunge. Yet there
seemed no alternative. The landward
side of the big trunk was not to be
reached from where she sat. She made
an impatient little swing of her catch,
saying: There, you'll get back in the
water after all and take me with you.
| think I'll tie you to me and make you
swim out
Better not" a mans voice said n
little way off. Il don't believe he
would swim out. He'd rather keep you
down at the bottom"
Then come and take me down."
Alicia said disdainfully, angry beyond
words that anything masculine could
thus calmly contemplate her plight in
stead of flying to the rescue. She
heard long, firm steps approaching. BY
craning her neck severely she saw Il
man. young, handsome, well set up,
evidently an athlete, and fashionably
dressed $50 you are Alicia Blair, my
hostess in part
''And how came you here when you
are looked for at the house," Alicia
demanded severely.
Paul Redmond laughed. Because |
had rather be here" he retorted. My
traps have gone on hOuSeward to an
nounce me, but l heard so much of
THAT tOlllDuN SldlIudluShltl VII tIiI
way from town, when my guide, Deaz
con Estis, who fetched me by the short
cut to show newell. several things
said that she is, right now a-feeshin','
| simply had to come and see for my
self"
How long since?" Alicia asked, her
face scarlet. Redmond laughed again.
The point is-immaterial," he said.
Just now the burning question is,
How shall | get DOWN."
That's easy. Put up the rails and go
away" Alicia said
Redmond shook his head. Il can't
trust you. The rails might slip" he
said. Il know better way, but first
fling me your fish
Obedicntly Alicia swung him her
gasping prize. He at once slipped II
timber pronged twig through its gillS
and anchored it comfortably in the
stream, saying: Let the example bear
fruit, Miss Alicia. Don't give any Of
your later captives needless agony
You don't seem to care about me.
I'm very uncomfortable" Alicia said
with spirit. IF you won't put up the
rails, at least go away. The water is
deep-still'-
You are not going into it,, Redmond
said quickly, stepping upon the lean
ing trunk and clinging fast to it with
one arm. He held the other out toward
her, saying with twinkle: "One two,
three! Here we go! Jump! I'll catch
you right as trivet.''
Il won't jump" Alicia said with her
grandeSt air.
Redmond looked at her severely.
You will jump" he repeated, land
right straight off! It's going to rain
like fun in about twenty minutes, and
unless you take me to the house 1 shall
get very Wet
Il think you are-despicable," Alicia
pouted. But as he looked at her, smil-
ing more roguiShly than ever. she gave
n spring. was caught and swung safe
to the bank. There Redmond said to
her, her eyes fairly dancing: Il don't
know Sukey, but really she should
have come along. She would certainly
have got points on-landing Il minis
ter"