Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-07-07
FRIENDS.


Jim is going instead of Herman" an
nounced Mrs. Day. But | don't know
Jim" objected Lois.
And that's the eason." answered
Mrs. Day. that | want to tell you about
him. The fact is, Jim was Tilted last
spring. She was one of the most beau
tiful girls | have ever seen" Mrs. Day
talked rapdly-"but none of us wanted
her. She was selfish and thoughtess
ami exacting. but Jim never saw it. He
just adored her and followed her about,
and gloried in being her slave, until we
were all in despair"
Jim was the brother of Mrs. Days
husband. but it was her way to take all
the responsibility, even of her husbands
family. so we Were all very much re-
ieved when she Tilted Jim
Lois was listening quietly, somewhat
at loss to get the trend of these CON
tidences.
We We're all rather glad, as l said,
eXcept',-here Mrs. DAY paused, then
plunged ahead-"eXcept for the dreadful
effect it has had upon Jim. He was
heart-broken; he's young, you know"
Tins in apology to Lois smile. And
since then he has Deen perfectly reck-
less"
Mrs. Day stopped for breath. 1t was
hard TO say what she meant to say.
Lois, my dear" she finally continued
don't let Jim make love to you at
camp lie has vowed to be revenged on
the whole race If women, and that is the
way he has taken to do it,
The first night at camp Lois had cause
to remember Mrs. Days warning 1t
was Il party of lovers, all young married
couples, or engaged, all except Lois and
jim, the youngest. These two started
up the lake III Il canoe, just as the 9th
crs did; but when Jim suggested that
they drift, Lois felt Il misgiving. Jim
must be made to understand. She
stopped his half-tender compliments with
a warning hand.
Listen, Jim she said. slowly and
earnestly, your sister has told me about
your trouble. I'm not going to talk
about that" size added hastily. as Jim
trowned, but | want to tell you this
Somewhere there is Il man that | love
as dearly as you love this girl For his
sake and for hers, let's you and | help
each other. | want to he true''-ditfi-
IDENTITY, it was hard 10 sdy-"and so,
know, do you. Let us here and now
promise to be just good comrades. Moth
ing more
She looked at the boy with a bright
smile and held out her hand. He hest
tated minute, then grasped her hand.
Its IA go. Lois" he said.
And 50 it became the custom for these
two youngest To entertain OF harass the
others, as the mood seized them. On the
water they sang and played on mando-
Inns and guitars; in camp they INDUCED
IN endless games of cards, or got off
jokes at the expense of the others. They
earned the nickname of the two young
fellars," and oil mundane matters were
left in their charge, such as the planning
of trips. the care of the lunch.
Let the lovers love-" was their motto;
well have good time" And they GER
tainly did. They explored all the inlets
and outlets of the lake, discovered the
big cave, brought home the last water
lilies OF the season. and wandered far
aheld, spied out tracks Enthusiastically
those of bear. Lois grew brown and
hardy with the long tramps which she
alone of the women found time to take.
The biggest berries and the latest fish
were hers. and she it was who caught
the, prize trout, thanks to the patience
and energy with which she angled.
1t was the last night. Mrs. Day looked
about the table and sighed This is
the first year we haven't had an en-
gagement to announce" she said; 1--WE
are all getting old, l am afraid" And
it was proof of the success of Lois plan
that not one of them thought to joke
about the young fellars." There was
no question Of sentimentality with them.
Lois and Jim were forbidden to give a
concert TO spoil the last evening, so
they padded swiftW along the south
shore. At length Jim broke the unusual
silence. This has been the best summer
of my life, he said, and it has all been
due 10 yod, Lois"
The giri looked up. startled at this sud
den transition from bonhome to some
thing very like sentiment.
I'm not going to break our PROMISE
Jim said in answer to the look Il want
you to be as true as ever to that man.
But I'm going to tell you this, that other
girl was Il dream"
They both laughed.
Il mean she wasn't real, like you. |
understand now that she never could
have been wife to me- Why, we
weren't friends"
Lois was silent.
Lois Jim's voice faltered, so intense
were his feelings, would it be unfair
to the other man or to you if | tell you
that You are truly the only woman |
love: the only one | could possibly mar
ry? A man ought to spend his life with
girl who is his FRIEND he added visit
fully. Il never knew that before"
Somewhere" remarked Lois. inconSe-
quently. lis very indefinite place, and
you remember that's where | sad the
man was"
Jim was quick-witted. and association
with Lois had sharpened his perception.
He asked eagerly. Was he dream.
too"
NO" Lois laughed; ''hes no dream.
,Iim he's-well. he's in love. and" she
drawed to keep up the suspense as long
as possible. hes in love, and so am |
- h,f in tbn