Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-09

DoIlie had picked out Brady as the
favored one for the reason that he
seemed the most forlorn and desolate
almost pathetic to her in the idea Of
this man who maltreated the English
language so brutally seeking a higher
education. and she found his person
atty interesting and at times anus
ing.
man bored her sadly, but she would
not confess that she found him tire
some lest Paul should think the vic
tory lay with him.
Every evening when the tables had
been cleared and the dining room put
in order Brady would slip down to the
beach and walk or sit with Dollie,
while Vinton sat on the piazza and
vowed that he would leave the place
for some better resort where the wait
ers were not the fad Of the moment.
He never went, for on second
thoughts he told himself it would be
better to stay on and look after Dollie.
She must tire Of her fad presently, and
perhaps on the rebound he might In
duce her to say the coveted yes"
Dismally Vinton realized that the
waiting game was bound to be long
one, and CHANGING upon Dollie wait
ing on the sands for her waiter prote-
go Paul was moved to reopen his ar
gument.
Following an unusually hot day the
humidity Of an approaching storm de-
prived the sufferers Of the relief Of
the night breezes. Dollie was tired
and irritable and In no frame of mind
for an argument. Both raised their
voices slightly above the pitch Of good
breeding, and Brady coming upon
them suddenly, gathered that there
had been a dispute.
HAS this guy been unbuttonin' his
lip" he demanded of Dollie.
Perhaps 1t was the heat. perhaps II
was the memory Of some of the things
that Vinton had said. At any rate,
there was barely perceptible pause
before Dollie languidly responded:
"He has been very annoying. l am
glad you have come" she said
Brady picked up pebble and tossed
It down the beach.
"Go after it. he urged you amt
wanted here, b. Notify your feet to
get busy with your shoes and pedal
hard"
II presume you are trying to urge me
to go away" suggested Vinton coldly.
you've got fine presumer," CON-
mended Brady. Gear it up a little
higher. It's runnin' too SLOW"
II am grateful for your advice" said
Vinton with sarcasm that appeared to
be lost upon the other, but it is not
my intention to take myself off until
Miss Darcy signifies to me that my
presence here is unwelcome."
You heard her say that you made
her tired" reminded Brady. "Be
nice little boy, Bo, and go play in the
next yard. There's a fine cellar door
there Go slide down it,"
Vinton looked inquiringly at Dollie,
but she made no sign. Brady was dis
playing a new phase of his many sided
character and she found 1t rather in
teresting. Vinton, too, puzzled her,
and she wanted to see what he would
do.
She had not long to wait, for, with
a final appeal to take walk before his
feet hurt him and he couldn't, Brady
advanced toward his antagonist.
Short and sharp was the encounter.
Brady struck first, and Vinton, nothing
loath, responded. In both men the
primal instinct was aroused, and they
fought for the favor of woman as
men in the stone age fought.
For the moment Vinton forgot Dol
lies presence forgot everything except
his desire to avenge the blow.
Brady had slipped Off his glasses at
the first sign Of trouble and he was
somewhat at disadvantage, but for
all Of that he had the best of the fight,
though Vinton had taken boxing les
sons from an old champion and was
accounted more than ordinarily skill
full at the game.
They were on strip Of the beach
little freQuented In the evening and the
encounter attracted no attention. In