Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-04-16

urop IN just 10 tell me now things pro-
gress, and Sunny, too; she never neglscte
me. Come, come, it is not like you to
Sulk, boyi l want to hear you laugh with
the others; 1t will make me feel young
myself. And, Grsville," with a sudden
tenderness In his voice, I'VE have shaken
hands, but until l feel you l shall not
believe my boy In really with me-"
The young mans cloudy face cleared
In a moment, he left his place at once,
and dropped down on one knee beside his
grandfather's chair, and a sort Of laugh
ing light came In his eyes.
You foolish old granddad," he said /;
you have not grown a bit wiser" And
then he knelt patiently while the thin,
wrinkled hand passed softly over the
merry face, and felt the broad, stalwart
shoulders, and then rested lingeringly on
his head.
Heaven bless you, lad, you are strong
and broad-shouldered like Gerard; you
are every inch as fine a man as your
father. Grow like him, my boy. Though
he was my own son, l will always say
there are not many like him; there,
must not keep you from the young folks
to listen to an old mans maunderings.
Tell Sunny that she Is to be good to you,
as you have. not many hours at home.
Oh, there's Mrs. Hendricks step on the
gravelI she has stolen a march on the
vicar. Now you can leave me with an
easy conscience"
1t was evident GreVille needed no fur
ther bidding. He rose to his feet at once
and strolled out into the veranda, cast
ing comprehensive glances over both gar
densi then, satisfying himself that a GER
tain broad-brimmed hat belonged to the
person for whom he was in search, he
went leisurely through the little gate and
tracked it by sundry winding paths to
the river bank.
A little group Of girls was gathered
round boat. They were evidently play
ing at hide-and-seek with their would-be
escort, to the mischievous glee of young
Btonian of tender age, as befitted Jackets
and rundown collars.
Come along, girls" he shouted. "I,et.
tie and Dora, why don't you jump inf
And, Miss Alison, you promised to steer.
Quick, quick I"
mot so fast, Jack; where's the hur.
ryT" called out fresh voice; and at the
merry tones Alison turned round with a
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. do not believe Aunt
Diana knows, either"
Il thought l would just run down and
have a look at you all before started
for Keswick," returned the young man
with assumed carelessness II forgot all
about Miss Carrington's Wednesday Pop
ulars; never mind, have just arrived in
time for the fun. How do you do, Miss
Dora? Miss Lettice, 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 Ouanti- |
ties on the east side, where we had our
picnic last year"
"All right, I'm your man. Miss All.
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 rufled plumage and
angry and stretched neck, and would have
pursued them, only Jack threatened her
with his oar.
suppose there are some young ones
in there" observed Greville, 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
ooyhood, for Dora and Lettice Morville
had been old playfellows Of his; their
simple summer dresses-all made up the
ad1uncts OF pleasant picture that he
night carry away and remember.
In few minutes they had landed.
Ind Jack, who was the hero Of the hour.
or 1t was he who had planned this little
EXCURSION, was leading them proudly to
he little sheltered island, where the
sround was blue with the tiny flowers
md In another moment they were all
Justly at work. In the intervals of his
abor, Greville found time for a sentence
# 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
Il suppose we must be going back
ow," observed Alison, regretfully, as she
watched the others busy movements.
Aunt Diana will want me to assist her
nth the tea. She knew we were COM
ng. for Jack was put in charge Of ms.
ut she told us not to be long. Dora
nd have been wanting to come here
Or days"
1T is bore going back to the other
eople," returned Greville, lazily; there I
host Of things l wanted to consult '
on about. have an ideal l will get |
liss Dora to take my oar, and / know
liss Lettuce loves steering, and then we I
In manage to get little conversation" ;
nd as things were arranged after this
Ishion, Greville was soon engaged in an
account Of his last terms do
gs. '
Their return was hailed with delight S
: the young people, who were gathered {