Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-07-20
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George Wilmot was in a particularly
bad temper that Sunday morning as,
sitting on the edge of the weir, he an
gled for a jack, which he knew lay in
hiding somewhere around the roots 81
the reeds in the backwater.
Irritating is not the word for It," 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. If Kathleen were
not the darling she is I'd tell her so to
her face"
Having delivered himself OF the above
utterance, he proceeded to wind in his
line, which was rapidly drifting down
h race OF the backwater, quite OBJ
livious of the fact that the lady to
whom lie alluded was Immediately in
his rear. The sound of her approach
had been deadened by the roar of the
water over the weir, leaving the par
ent river. 1t raced in curling sheaves
of foam-fecked turgtd green on to the
rocky bed beneath, to again join the
Shannon a few miles lower down.
80 you think that l am a fool, eh,
Mr.. Wilmot? Why?"
His surprise was so great at hear
ing the unexpected voice that the rod
nearly fell from his neryeless grasp.
Turning, he noted his interlocutor's
smiling proximity, coloring awkward
ly as his Eyes fell on the daintily clad
figure standing before him.
We'll, Mr.. Wilmot, won't you tell
me why?"
She gaZed UP at the ruby lining of
her sunshadc, her smile deepening in
intensity as she casually examined it's
texture.
Il didn't know that you were SO
near. Mrs. O'Toole," he said helpless
ly. p
Il give you credit for that amount
of politeness," she INTERCEPTED pleas
antly. You are, l am sure, too civil
to bluntly tell me to my face that 1
am a fool, whatever you may think on
the subject. Since / have, however,
heard h your opinion of my mental
capacity is, you will perhaps tell me
what has caused o to arrive at your
conclusion"
Il was thinking of Kathleen" he
replied, emboldened by her pleasant
manner.
"Oh!"
You know that you said three days
e that you did not consider me eli
gible where Kathleen was concerned"
he remarked, affixing a minnow to his
hook.
We'll" Her eyes sought his face in
PANlSA ~ 'cilICIiipldlloli I'll III IL
terror of her ~sunshade. And now, be-
cause that CHANGED to be my opinion,
you think that / am imbecile. Is that
not so?"
Wilmot remained silent till he had
made his cast.
Mrs. O'Toole," he remarked, smiling
back at his companion, when I was
so misguided as to give utterance to a
thought which was conceived in anger,
! was wrong. / humbly apologize for
so doing but, frankly. l do not see why
o should object TO my marrying your
daughter. 1 am we'll off, respectable.
the son of an English squire of old
family, and-Kathleen loves me almost
as much as l owe her"
ut sounds quite idyllic."
Yes. Does it 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 o are-English.'
Don't you think that-that is an in
ssnsate reason, If ever there was one?"
he remarked irritably, a frown lower
ing his brow.
mo! / can't say that I 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 recommen-
udlioIS ne Is every WHIT as we'll OH
as o are. comes of as old a stock,
and is heir TO a fine property. Also,
he is head over ears in love with Kath-
leen.'
Wilmot's brow deepened.
Are those the only reasons which
you can put forward for refusing my
suit?' he asked bluntly.
A save one she replied.
(which is?"
THAT i prefer Denis Moore to George
Wilmot, SIR she answered mockingly.
II notice hat your reasons are pure
iy selfish ones" he remarked, stung
into sudden warmth. "Kathleen's wei
fare does not enter in the slightest in
to you calculations
They are nevertheless my reasons"
she replied definitely.
1T is needless TO speak further" he
said sharply. Kathleen is, / believe,
twenty"
she is"
And next year she will consequently
be tw~enty-one."
IAN & In which. though mistress OF
her actions, she will nevertheless be
guided By her mothers advice" replied