Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-19

struggle. Suddenly the willows were pulled
down by a muscular bare arm, and the
face of a young man appeared above it t
the astounded gaze of Aunt Matilda.
Excuse me, madam he began. lung
ing viciOusly at Castor and Pollux witt
his feet. please call off your dogs
Aunt Matilda. pale but determined
whipped an antiqua$ed monster of pisto
off from her and to one side. with no in
tention. past. present or future. of ever
firing it. 1t got it's effectiveness from size
alone. and was built for pure moral sua
sion If ever a pistol was
Hold perfectly still or I shall shoot
she quaveringly warned him. you are
male trespasser. sir"
II sincerely regret it. madam" replied
the culprit. slapping viciously at the
mosquito behind his ear. He got it thai
time.
You probably will freezingly re.
torted Aunt Matilda. Il shall telephone
for the sheriff Immediately, and if you are
still here when he arrives you shall re-
ceive the full penalty of the law
The young man did some quick think
ing. 1t was necessary.
~
Madam your dogs have stolen my
clothing and my money, and / cannot
leave until get them back" he presently
declared with lucky inspiration. IF you
have me arrested for trespass / shall
bring suit for the recovery of property.
Aunt Matilda was sufficiently perplexed
to lower her pistol and allow him to ex-
plain, while she coaxed the dogs out OF
the water He was a splendid talker, and
had fine, honest-looking blue eyes.
There was rush of swift footsteps
among the trees.
Hide she commanded in sudden
panic.
He promptly hid. and when Adnah ar
rived with the bathing suits, that young
Lady found her aunt calmly seated on the
ground holding Castor and Pollux eacl
by a dripping collar
Leave my suit and return to the house
at once with these dogs, directed Aunt
Matilda without turning her head.
why, Aunt Matilda, what's the mat
ter?''
Nothing" snapped Aunt Matilda in
desperation. go back to the house and
stay until ! come ASK no questions.
Adnah searched the scene in mystifica-
>tion for a moment.
Yes aunty." she suddenly said, and
walked away in a flutter of excitement
She had caught the CLEAN of bright eye
peering at her from among the willows,
She burst into a spontaneous rhapsody
OF song as she went, trillinS and WarblinG
in sweet. untaught cadences. uncon-
sciously like bird singing to its mate In
voice. The young man was sorry when
she was out of hearing. but glad, too, for
the water was beginning to pucker his
cuticle in hard ridges like a washboard
Now. young man. said Aunt Matilda
~ shall leave this bathing suit here foI
your use. l shall expect you to put 1t on
and retire from the premises as quickly as
possible"
Il must remain until nightfall." was
the firm reply. II must find my money
and clothes. should feel ridiculous to be
seen in such clothing as that. You your
self would scarcely care to have me seen
emerging from your premises, on Sunday
especially in such outlandish garments.
That last argument told. Aunt Matilda
visibly weakened.
Very well. then she grudgingly
agreed but at dusk-Mercy. young
man. how your teeth do chatter! Are you
getting u chill? I'll bring you a bowl OF
boneset tea and some dinner right away"
and she hurried off in much concern.
The young man lost no time in getting
into that bathing suit. for the chill of the
water was upon him. The suit consisted
merely of a pair of blue boomers that
came Just below his knees. and a blue
blouse that split down the back and al
the armpits the moment he buttoned it In
front: still he was very grateful for it
grateful for the warm glow that began to
peryade him the moment he had donned
it, He put on his one sock and his shoes
his hat collar tie and cuffs to keep the
dogs from getting them. and was quite
comfortable when Aunt Matilda came
busting back'with bowl of steaming tea
and a tray loaded with good things to eat
She sat by admiring his appetite until