The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 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 OF
the reeds in the backwater.
Irritating is not the word for it," re-
marked W'ilmot 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 i'm his
line, which was rapidly drifting down
the race of the backwater, quite OBJ
llvious of the fact that the lady to
whom he alluded was Immediately in
his rear. The sound Of her approach
had been eeadened by the roar of the
water over the Weir, leaving the par
ent river. 1t raced in curling sheaves
of foam-fecked turgid green on to the
rocky bed beneath, to again join the
Shannon a few mile; lower down.
SO you think that I am a fool, ell,
Mr.. Wilmot? Why"
His surprise was so great at hear
ing the unexpected voice that the rod
nearly fell from his nerveless grasp.
Turning, he noted his interlocutor's
smiling proximity, coloring awkward
ly as his eyes fell on the daintily clad
figure standing before him.
well, Mr.. Wilmot, won't you tell
me why?"
She gazed up at the ruby lining of
her sunshade, her smile deepening in
Intensity as she casually examined it's
texture.
near, Mrs. O'Toole," he said helpless
ly. I-'
II give o credit for tina amount
OF p~oliteness," h interjected pleas
antly. You are, l am sure, too civil
to bluntly tell me to my face that
am a fool, whatever YOU may think on
the subject. Since [ have, however,
heard what your opinion of my mental
capacity is, you will perhaps tell me
what has caused you to arrive at Your
conclusion"
Il was thinking of Kathleen" he
replied. emboldened by her pleasant
manner
"Ohi"
you know that you said three DAVIS
G that you did not consider me ELI
gible where Kathleen was concerned
he remarked, atfixing a minnow to his
hook.
Well" Her eyes sought his face in
preference to contemplation of the in
terror of her ~sunshade. And now. be-
cause that CHANGED to be my opinion.
you think that l am imbecile. is that
not SOP"
Wilmot remained silent till he had
made his east.
Mrs. O"Toole," he remarked, smiling
back at his companion, when [ was
SO as to give utterance to IL
fhought which was conceived in anger.
l was wrong. 1 humbly apologize for
so doing but, frankly, l do not see why
you should object to my marrying your
daughter. l am we'll off. respectable,
the son of an English squire of old
family. and-kathleen loves me almost
as much as l love her."
1T 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 you are-IInglish.'
Don't you think that-that is an in
sensate reason, If ever there was one?"
he remarked irritably, a frown lower
ing his brow.
NO! I can't say that / do" she re-
Piled, flushing slightly. Since l dis
like the English as I do, why should
not rather w the cause of AN Irish
lad. who possesses all your recommen-
datlons? He is every Whit as we'll off
as You are, comes of as old a stock.
and is heir to a fine property. Also,
Ale Il tedu over ears IN love with k1th-
leen."
Wilmot's brow d%eepened.
Are those the only reasons which
you can put forward for refusing my
suit?" he asked bluntly.
"All save one she replied.
(Which isn9"
THAT I prefer Denis Moore to George
Wilmot, sir" she answered mockingly.
Il notice that your reasons are pure
ly selfish Ones" he remarked, stung
into sudden warmth. "Kathleen's vel
fare does not enter in the slightest in
to your calculations"
They are nevertheless my reasons
she replied definitely.
1T is needless to speak further" he
said sharply. Kathleen is, 1 believe,
t%wenty?'
She is"
And ext year she will consequently
be tw%enty-one.'
AN age in which, though mistress of
her actions, she will nevertheless be
guided by her mothers advice" replied