Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-04-06
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LOVE 'I !: s:::.:. =: ::
Copyright. iM.
by Cecilia A.
Loizeaux

the tying rope In his hand. While he
| waited he looked at Anne Prescott, who
| was standing ON the very edge Of the
| wharf reading letter. Anne's dress
| was of cerulean blue linen, and the set
| ting sun made her hair red gold. Final
~ Ned spoke. albeit the picture was
rarely pretty and appealed to him.
Ready, Amer" he called
"All right" said Anne, but she didn't
move, and Ned waited some more pa
| tiently, for he knew he was soon to
have his innings and was In no hurry
to take the bat. But when he spoke the
second time he said firmly:
Come. Anne
| Anne tore the letter in two, threw 1t
| into the water and came to the little
| bark, where she settled herself Indian
| fashion on her knees in the business
| end of the canoe. She held 1t steadily
while he stepped in and bestowed his
long length Of limb opposite; then she
let the boat drift while she rolled up
her cerulean blue sleeves. 1t was one
| Of Anne's pecuiarites that she always
did the padding herself. 1t was not
merely that the attitude and motion
were becoming to her. though she WIS
aware of her good points, like most well
balanced girls. 1t was simply that she
preferred having the men ut disad-
vantage-at her mercy. as II We're. They
always looked awkward with nothing
to do, and it seemed hard for them to
keep up the conversation.
Ned Cramer was little different.
He always made himself supremacy
comfortable, and, while he didn't look
at her as much as most Of the fellows
did, his glance always put her on her
mettle
The quick strokes of her paddle sent
them rapidly downstream. When they
reached the first bend they passed the
letter, which was Swimming along the
surface.
"We'll go down to the island and see
how long it will take for the letter to
get there" said Anne and Ned assent
ed lazily. He lit a cigarette and smok-
ed awhile in silence. When he spoke
his words were, as usual, to the point.
when are you going to marry me.
Annef"
Anne, deliberately surprised held her
paddle in midair in charming pose
for moment: then it dropped into
the water with n splash.
II have no present intention of mar
rying you ut all" she said.
"Thcn It's good time to form an
intention I'll help you" He smiled
persuasively Make it October Fall
weddings are so pretty. and that Will
give you two months to burn all Your
old love letters and make your good
resolutions"
The blood rose under the tan on her
cheeks. but her only answer was a
vigorous and renewed padding Ned
threw away the stub of his cigarette
and felt in his hip pocket for his to-
bacco pouch. If he was nervous he
did not show it,
shall we say October then?' he
querled, adding with q note of tender
ness In his voice: you have made me
very happy. Anne. You will not re-
greet
well, of all the cool imrudonce l
ever heard.' gasped Anne. 81 wouldn't
marry you if-if'- She stopped, ex-
asperated.
IF you didn't love me-" he finished
for her.
II hate you" she boiled. This is
six times you have made that insane
assertion this summer. Love you /
act as If loved you, do II" She stop
ped padding and looked at him Her
eyes blazed, and he thought she hadn't
looked so pretty since the last time
she had refused him.
NO" he said; you act as if you
didn't, but know you do" He looked
serious Why, it stands to reason,
Anne, that you love me or you wouldn't
get so mad when tell you about it,
Ned Cramer' she blazed out. if
you ever try to make love to me again
Tll-I'll make you sorry. Now. you
either talk about something else or
keep quiet
She had evidently forgotten about
her Intention Of reaching the island, for
she put down her paddle and let the
canoe drift idly along shore It was
growing dark, and crescent moon was
family shining in the east Anne look
ing attentiyely upstream, saw a white
speck IN the water and, taking her pad
die iished It out ana deposited it. drip
ping, on his knee
ITS the letter" he announced touch
ing 1t. Anne started
Give il to me" she demanded hold
ing out her hand
after I've read IT," he said calmly.
Ned Cramer, that's my letter, and
you have no right TO read H."
ION tile contrary it's mine since.
firstly you threw It away. and. second
IS, picked It upH@ain ana ave 1t to me
to have and 10 hold
Anne quaked. but she tried bravado.
We'll it's too dark to read it any
how; besides, it's al soaked ana blear-
ed" she said
MY excellent eyes are not the least
of my MANY good points" said Ned,
spreading ii out carefully Anne locke
about for means Of escape. She saw
Ned lean out and snatch something out
of the water
tits the other half" he beamed.