Smyrna times., 1908-07-22

Will go tomorrow. and we will catch
our fish and cook them on the island"
And they went. the three of them. in
Halleck's boat, ana for bait they had
minnows, and their prey was pickerel,
and before nOOntime Helen had caught
two shining, slender beauties. and Mrs.
Evans, who, in a broad haAand with
a magazine, had made herself COM
Portable, was moved to enthusiasm.
Helen" she said, I'VE will come
every day"
Mr. Halleck may think we are trOu-
blesOme, auntie."
Mr.. Halleck WI think he has been
blessed by the gods" said that gentle
man, and Helen laughed a little.
Il am starved" she said. Lets go
and cook our fish,
So Halleck took them to a green,
cool, shadOwy spot in the center of the
island, and there they broiled their
fish and ate their lunch in delightful
solitude.
That was the beginning. Helen, un-
der Halleck's guidance, learned to
catch pickerel. But she learned more
than that, for Halleck was teaching a
lesson of lips and eyes and heart, and
Mrs. Evans watched the two with
shrewd but satisfied eyes.
1t was in the third week that Hal
leck uncOnsciOusly launched a thun-
derbolt.
Every time l come it seems love
lier," Helen said as they explored the
island together, while Mrs. Evans nap
ped under a newspaper
"Yes," Halleck said. Mrs. Halleck
always insists that it is the garden
spot of the world"
There was dead silence, and pres
emily Helen complained of a headache,
and they went home.
Halleck found it impossible to get a
word with her that night.
Il don't know what is the matter
with her." Mrs. Evans said when he
sought her disconsolately. "She Just
sits up in her room and mOpes.''
That night she said to Helen, Il
think Mr.. Halleck feels very bad at
the way you are treating him"
Il don't see why he should" Helen
in pale blue negligee was curled up
in the window seat. Il don't see why
he should. l don't think it is the prop
er thing for married man to take us
boating, auntie."
Married fiddlesticksw calculated
Mrs. Evans.
''Well, he is" Helen insisted. HE
spoke to me the other day of Mrs.
Halleck."
''Never heard of her before" shifted
Mrs. Evans. And the next morning
she sought Halleck He threw back
his head and laughed when she told
him, and that afternoon Helen, fish
ing languidly on the pier, heard
voice behind her.
"Can you put on your wOrms?'
YES she said. They wriggle
dreadfully, but II prefer to do it my
self"
"Of course" Halleck said, If YOU
wish. l wouldn't deprive you of the
pleasure" He sat down beside her.
Il thought you had gone out in your
boat" she told him.
mo. l expect Mrs. Halleck this
afternoon, and wanted to make ar
rangements."
"Oh." Helen said and pulled her hat
deeper over her eyes.
"She will bring both of the chill
dren," he went on.
''Indeed!' indifferently.
"And her husband, if he can come"
He was watching her out of the cor
ner of his eye.
The line gave a spasmOdic jerk.
"Her husband" Helen quavered.
MY brother. Funny, isn't it, that l
don't call her by her first name But
you see my brother is lot older than
l, and when l was a kid l always
called her Mrs. Halleck"
ut is awfully funny" But there
was a queer little quiver in Helen's
voice. Hallecks face grew very ten
der as he watched.
She drew in her line
There isn't any bait on your hook"
he told her. Let me put it on" Her
eyes met his adOring ones, and then
their hands met.
Let me do things for you always,
dear" Halleck begged. And Helen,
with grave eyes and smiling lips, whis-
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