Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-01-27

Leaf

spruces completely surrounded the
beautiful Lac d'Amour; the blue sun
ny morning sky smiled at its ref1ec.
tion in the lakes clear mirror. Wild
tuneful notes Of hidden birds min
gled with the perfumed whispered
messages Of the breezes and the musi-
cal dip, dip Of oars.
Helen MacNole rested a few mo-
ments, allowing the light skin to
drift idly towards the lily beds, while
she eagerly and with extreme pleas.
ure drank in all the uncultivated,
primitive Canadian beauty of forest,
lake and sky. Two whole months at
Aunt Sophia's cottage meant great
deal to this Boston girl, for she had
never before been in the fair province.
and every scene was new and attrac-
tive to her.
Helen had half lost herself in de-
lightful reverie when the sound of
splashing paddles aroused her. which
was accompanied by a mellow tenor
voice that was singing with the most
enthusiastic, passionate earnestness
the sleet song of "The Maple Leaf"
The chorus ran:
"The maple leaf, our emblem dear.
The maple leaf forever.
God save our King and heaven bless
The maple leaf forever"
The rare voice that sang those
words quite charmed Helen, yet she
laughed softly, and a mischievous
light came into her Irresistible blue
sang in her pure soprano voice THE
Star Spangled Banner" After she
had concluded she said to herself with
low laugh of sheer fun: "I'll show
whoever 1t is that there Is a Yankee
on this little sea-"
She had scarcely finished speaking
when a pretty canoe glided around
the ben of the Lac d'Amour. Its &C.
cupant, none other than the tenor
singer, regarded his enemy with a
half amused, half piqued look of sur
prise. He was handsome. His face
was dark and vivacious; his smile,
showing strong white teeth, was daz-
zling. There was careless grace
and motion about his movements.
The wind had ruffed his soft black
hair until 1t half tumbled into his
sparkling brown eyes.
Helen looked at the tenor half con-
fused, half afraid, for she had not eX-
pected to be discovered in her retreat
and by such a well-meaning young
gentleman.
Pardon, miss, If l have disturbed
you and your song" the young man
commenced.
"You have not disturbed me at all,
sir-see, my boat has never moved
an inch," Helen replied, with an at
tempt to look grave, but for some un.
known reason she burst into hearty
and mirthful laugh.
"You are an excellent singer, miss.
Excuse my frankness, 1t Is my misfor
tune, not my fault" the tenor said,
leisurety laying the paddle across the
canoe.
"All Yankees are good singers"
Helen responded concisely, trying to
look utterly sincere.
$50 you're Yankee. Yes, l know
so by your song which sounded a
good deal like challenge" the other
said, as he calmly and with open ad
miration studied Helen's proud head,
crowned with braided coils of gold
tinted brown hair, her pink cheeks
ana slender straight form.
Yes, l am a Yankee-Miss Helen
MacNole, of Boston, Mass" Helen re-
piled.
And am Lester Lejarn, French
Canadian Frenchman," the young
boatman retorted, with equal dignity.
Then both the boaters laughed mer-
rily, 1t was all so amusing.
1t does not take long for two young,
happy-spirited persons to get acquaint-
ed; when Helen's boat grated the
shore beside Of Le1arn the two had
become quite intimate. Helen, for
enjoying the adventure. AS for Le-
<jarn, he was very much in earnest;
lie decided that he would see more Of
this charming Yankee, this Helen
MacNole, of Boston, Mass.
Helen found out from Aunt Sophia
that Lester LEARN was the son Of an
Englishman by birth and claimed his
French descent on his mothers side.
After the death Of LEARNS mother
Mr.. LEARN had come to Canada.
bringing Lester, the only child. When
Lester was but fourteen his father be-
came blind, and since that time the
young LEARN had worked in Mon.
treal business house and supported
his father.
Helen firmly put aside the fact that
she was the only daughter OF the wild
owed, prosperous banker, Arthur Mac
Mole, and allowed the French tenor
to take her boating, driving and walk
ing when he was home from work
Finally, message came to the effect
that Helen must come home, as a
party Of wealthy New Workers were