Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-08-27

tracked it by sundry winding paths to
the river bank.
A little group of girls was gathered
round boat. They We're evidently play
ing at hide-and-seek with their would-be
escort. to the mischievous glee of young
Etonian of tender age, as beftted jackets
and rundown collars.
Come along, girls" ne shouted. Let
tie and Dora, why don't you jump in!
And, Miss Alison, you promised to steer.
Quick, quick :"
Not so fast, Jack; where's the hur-
ry!" called out fresh voice and at the
merry tones Alison turned round with
sudden start.
"Oh, Mr.. Greville ~ and her bright
face looked brighter still at the unex-
pected sight of her old friend. What
does this mean? Mr.. Moore never limited
at your coming. l do not believe Aunt
Diana knows, either"
Il thought I would just run down and
have a look at you all before l started
for Keswick," returned the young man
with assumed carelessness. Il forgot all
about Miss Carrington's Wednesday Pop
ulars; never mind, l have just arrived in
time for the fun. How do you do. Miss
Dora? Miss Lettice, l should hardly
have known you; you have so grown.
Well, what's the matter, Jack?'' for the
boy was grumbling audibly.
"Only Fortescue and that other fellow
will be down upon us directly, and the
girls made me promise to get under way
before they came to spoil everything. Let
tie and Dora want to pick forget-me-nots
on the Long Island-there are quaint
ties on the east side, where we had our
picnic last year."
"All right, I'm your man. Miss Ali
son, if you will be good enough to steer,
Jack and / will soon row you across"
And suiting his actions to his words,
Greville assisted the girls into the boat !;
and promptly taking an oar, they were
soon gliding down the river.
Now and then they passed other boats
with which they exchanged greetings, and
once, as they came to a reedy island, a
swan came out with rufied plumage and
angry and stretched neck, and would have
pursued them, only Jack threatened her
with his oar.
Il suppose there are some young ones
in there" observed Grevlle, thoughtful
ly; and then he let them drift a moment
as he contemplated the scene. The broad
cleaning river flowing so smoothly be-
tween its banks; the meadow land dotted
with groups of cattle worthy of the brush
of Vicat Cole; the girls happy faces
faces that had been familiar to him from
boyhood, for Dora and Lettice Morville
had been old playfellows of his; their
-. l. oil do he
adiuncts of pleasant picture that he
might carry away and remember.
In a few minutes they had landed,
and Jack, who was the hero the hour,
for it was he who had planned this little
excursion, was leading them proudly to
the little sheltered island, where the
ground was blue with the tiny flowers
and in another moment they were all
busily at work. In the intervals of his
labor, Greville found time for a sentence
or two with Alison; and by and by he
induced her to rest for a moment on a
messy log that had lain there for years.
II suppose we must be going back
now," observed Alison, regretfuliy, as she
watched the others busy movements.
Aunt Diana will want me to assist her
with the tea. She knew we were COM
ing, for Jack was put in charge of us
but she told us not to be long. Dora
and | have been wanting to come here
for days"
1T is bore going back to the other
people," returned Greville, lazily; there
is a host of things l wanted to consult
you about. | have an idea! | will get
Miss Dora to take my oar, and | know
Miss Lettice loves St ring, and then we
can manage to get a little conversation.
And as things were arranged after this
fashion, Greville was soon engaged in an
animated account of his last terms do
ings.
Their return was hailed with delight
by the young people, who were gathered
on the lawn. While Dora put their
treasured forget-me-nots in the water,
Lettce and Alison hurried into the stu
dio, where they knew Miss Darlington
would be busy over the tea table; and
Greville, after exchanging greetings with
his friends, followed them more leisurely
well, girls" observed Miss Caring
ton, brightly, you see you have your
work before you; all these good folk to
serve with tea and Strawberries. By the
bye, Allie, a little bird tells me that
Greville has put in an appearance. Why
bless the lad, there he is" as Greville's
amused face suddenly confronted her, and
her hands were grasped, and then de-
tanned.
Miss Darlington, l mean to have q
good look at you. | have not seen any
one so worth looking at since | left
home"
go away, you foolish boy" was Miss
| Carrington's response to this. Il am toe
busy to listen to your fiattery;' but her
gray eyes softened as they rested on the
| young mans handsome face. She had
known him from boyhood. 1t was she
who had closed his dead mothers eyes, in
whose loving arms the little fellow had
often nestled in those first sad days when
the stricken household were too much
engaged to care for the lonely child when
| he would follow his dear Clara, as he
| called her. all over the house, with I'M
certain, toddling footsteps, to mend some
| broken toy, or help him out of some tiny
| difficulty; and he was dear to her now
| dearer even than Alison.
Il am going to stop and help YOU" re
turned Greville, with gay defiance of hel
mandate. is that cup of tea for Mrs
Morville? She is sitting so cozily ii
the honeysuckle arbor with old Mis-.
bingham, that it seems pity to disturb
| them"
"Old Miss bingham, indeed!' ejacu
| lated Miss Darlington, you disrespect
full boy, when you know she is my con
temporary"
Miss Darlington, you will never be OLE
in my eyes," was the gallant reply. g,
think you grow younger every time
see you"
"Humph. I hope not. l should be sorr.
| to live forever in this sort of world, un