Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-07-28

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"Oh, if you don't mind" said the
girl in the broad hat, would you put
this worm on for met"
HaIleck looked up. She was dan
Cling line in front of his nose, and
she held out to him tin can.
81 simply can't put them on the
hook" she said, with little shudder
Il hate to see them squirm."
Halleck looked at her again. She
didn't seem at all the type Of young
woman who made acquaintances pro
miscuously. She had grave, direct
glance. and at present her mind was
bent seriously on the question of fish
ing.
In silence Halleck impaled the worm.
Thank you," she said and dropped
her line into the water.
In a moment there was a splash. and
with little cry the girl landed fish.
"Please take it off," she said. and
Halleck found the line again dangling
In front of his nose, but this time with
a golden. jewel spotted fish at the end.
Without harming the charming crea-
ture Halleck slipped the hook out of
Its mouth. you'd better throw 1t
back" he advised. Its too small to
eat"
very WELL" she said and watched
the little sunfish as 1t swan through
the liquid water to freedom.
Then once more she held out the tin
can.
Please put one on" she said.
Again Halleck patiently laid aside
his hand net and baited her hook. and
again she dropped her line in the wa
ter, to bring it out again with another
infnitesimal fish.
"This one is too small, too" Halleck
told her. you can't catch any fish
worth keeping on the pier"
"Why are you fishing Them" she
questioned.
II am catching bait,' was Halleck's
information, "and when / have enough
l am going out in my boat for pick
erel"
Her eyes shone. ooh, | should love
to catch pickerel." she said eagerly.
do you know. those two little fish
that You took off of my line are the
first | ever caughtY"
Halleck looked at her with a specu-
lative eye. Il could take you OUT
He hesitated.
could your" Then in a business
like way, How much do you charge
for an hour?''
Halleck stared at her.
81 don't understand" be said at last.
The grave eyes met his in direct
gaze.
Aren't you the man who rents the
boatsY'
mo"
"Ohw Her tone was startled. "Oh.
I beg your pardon. thought
That's all right" HaIleck assured
her.
But her face was stained by burn
ing blush.
Il must have seemed very-trouble-
some
Not bit am one of your fellow
guests at the hotel. I sit at the table
next to you. saw you last night with
an elderly lady"
"Yes. my aunt"
She spoke abstractedly as she gath
cred up her rod and little basket. II
don't think I will fish any more" she
remarked.
"Please don't run away on my &C
count" Halleck begged II am going
out in few minutes, and you can
have the pier all to yourself"
He did not offer to take her with
him. He Knew now that she was not
that kind of girl, and he was glad she
was not.
He put his traps into his boat and
pulled out, lifting his white linen hat
graveIy as bis boat shot into mid
stream.
That night he saw. her again at the
table. She was in pink, and she wore
her hair In pretty golden puffs all over
the top ct her head. He liked her lit
tie stately manner and the deferential
way she had with her aunt.
The older lady was tall and thin,
with sparkling brown eyes, The spar
king eyes rested often on Halleck dur
ing the meal, and when dinner was
over and the two ladies passed him at
the table the aunt stopped.
you are Mr.. HalIeckT she ques-
toned
EYES," Halleck rose and stood be-
side her.
II asked at the Office" the lady ex-
planned. MY niece has been telling
me that she took you for boatman.
She feels badly that she should have
spoken as she did. But ! am glad 1t
happened. am Mrs. Evans | know
your mother well. Mr.. Halleck, and
might not have met her son If hadn't
been looking for the man that Helen
fancied she had offended
ALdllCLh na4hCAetO tnC 40Ot WIN ttEAf
where the girl In pink waited for
them
This Is Mr.. Halleck. Helen" Mrs.
Evans said. He isn't bit offended,
and he writes delightful books, as his
mother did before him"
Helen surveyed him with the grave
eyes that had delighted him that morn
Ing.
did you catch any pickerelYs she
asked
-Four" he informed her, 'big ones"
"Helen Is simply crazy over fishing
Mrs. Evans stated '.She has always
lived inland. and now she spends
morning, noon and night on the lake.s
TN tell you." HaIleck planned, ~