The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-07-08

uSuTp.
Detection would have been fnstan
taneous If Willieboy had not taken the
precaution to exchange coats with
neighbor boy early in the morning.
More than once the ruse had led TO
escape in some adventure, since the
owner of the coat was able to prove
an alibi- This time II proved futile.
however. and Willieboy's own indiscre
ton proved his undoing.
Peeping from the corner of his eye,
he saw that the lake shore as far as
the next turn was deserted, and I'M
wisely he decided that Nell and Ar
thur had passed around the curve anG
out of sight
He was chuckiing at his own clever,
ness when the smile froze upon his
lips, for as he turned he confronted his
sister, whose voice rose In shrill com
mand that he come out at once.
Won't" declared Wilrieboy.
you'll get whipping If you don't
come out this instant" said Nell firmly
Willieboy smiled knowingly as he
shook his head. Whether he came or
not, punishment was now Inevitable,
so he might as well enjoy his fun to
the utmost before he came forth to be
soundly thrashed.
you'll catch your death Of cold"
warned Nell, and Willieboy smiled
afresh. The home treatment for colds
was delicious compound In which mo-
lasses figured largely, and Willieboy en-
5oyed having colds, even at the cost of
pain in the throat and a feeling as
though Maggie had put a fatiron on
his chest.
care you comingT' demanded Nell
as Wilieboy's smile widened
NO." said Willieboy, with impolite
breyity
"If I have to como aud get YOU
warned Nell
Willieboy was moved to unseemly
mirth and even Arthur smiled be-
meath his mustache at the idea Of Nell
in her pretty spring frock wading into
tho ,nARGlGv waters Of the Lake after her
truart brother
But Wi1l1eboy was again his own
undoing, for his calm defiance now
moved Nell to tears. and Bannister
slipped off his coat
"William.' he Numbered, eff you
don't come ashore this instant I'll
come after your
Willieboy eyed him for an instant as
though to size up hts determination,
and the delay was fatal, for without
tc+a Cty Int
the water.
Slowly Wfllieboy backed away until
he reached the edge Of the bank be-
yond, where the bottom shelyed sharp
~ downward There was a cry from
Nell, an exclamation from Banntstey,
and Willieboy went over backward
into the deep water Of the channel.
Down, down he went, the boots pre-
and the cry of terror which he sought
10 voice became a mere bubble before
1t reached the surface. Then he felt
something strike him, hand grasped
his collar, and Willieboy knew no more
until he woke In his own little bed
at home and looked up into his moth
ers eyes, red trimmed from weeping.
did he get me?' demanded Willie
boy. His mother nodded.
arthur always gets what he goes
after" said Willieboy contentedly. IF
he'd waited was coming in"
The boy dropped off to sleep again
But Nell, coming down the hall, heard
the words, and she flushed softly. Ar
thur Bannister had habit of getting
what he wanted. At times it seemed
to Nell as If he wanted her, and the
thought brought soft flush to her
cheeks and happy smile to her lips.
But in the days that followed the res
mister had changed his mind, for,
though he was a frequent caller and
his eyes glowed with admiration as
they rested upon Nell, he did not speak
the words that lowered upon his
| tongue.
Still more significant was the fact
| that he no longer Unanswered to rid
himself of the presence of Willieboy
when that trouble brewer appeared
upon the scene.
One afternoon the boy was sitting
upon Bannister's lap as the latter wait
/ ed for Nell to come downstairs, and
with the curiosity Of youth Willie
boy was pursuing his Investigations.
The recent rescue Of pretty girl
from the lake and subsequently an
nounced engagement between the res
cued and rescuer had reused the boys
curiosity.
1--WE can't be engaged, can we?" de-
manded the child.
"Not very WELL" admitted Bannister,
| with laugh.
"But you saved me-" persisted the
boy. eve ought to be engaged! Why
don't you be engaged to Nell instead?
That would be nicer"