The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-12-15
She Drlfted Laxily.

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her as she slipped past. Just why
she had thought of him till late in
the night and dreamed of him till
dawn she had failed to determine
Nor was her chance to discover what
compelling characteristics lurked ir
his silent personality. She hesitated
making sure Of his absolute uncon
seriousness. At last she turned hel
canoe toward him. propelled it slow
ly, carefully. till Its bow ran Eoise
lessly into the soft mud of the bars
Her paddle across her knees, 81
leaned forward, eagerly. to inspect
undisturbed this sleeping young
prince of the woods. What a ply
sique!-what features!-what an alb
solutely ideal type for the hero of 8
sylvan adventure, little love idyll
such as the whole scenario seemed te
suggest.
II believe" she reflected dreamily
"if father would only let me alone IL
fall In love with some one Just en-
actly like this and under some just
romantic condition But l will not
here her reflections grew energetical
ly rebellious-"marry that Tom Dris
coll he's always talking about, and |
won't stay at home to be baited with
him when he comes. Oh, If couli
ever"-she drew long sigh-"meei
an unusual type of man in an un
usual way"
At this point in her reflections, sud
denly and without preliminary stir o.,
motion, his eyes opened full upon her
They stared at each other, he toe
astonished, she too panic-stricken te
move.
please don't vanish" he muir
INJURED at last I'm afraid to wink
"Oh, what can say?" thought Zoe
wildly.
IL was Sc astonished to SCI
you," she stammered. Il just stopped
to-to make sure you were"
"A man and not faun." he sug
gested helpfully.
NO" she contradicted, frowning
that you were asleep and not-no,
dead. You see, have never befor,
seen a man in these wilds, and"
"Not even dead one?" he inter
rupted. laughing.
"No." She smiled distantly. "No,
even a tramp. And l wondered-I
thought"
Il was here yesterday" he re.
preached her.
He saw me-" she thought indi9.
nantly. "He thinks I came down here
today on the chance OF meeting him.
the conceited-*.
Il paddle down here every day"
she informed him coldly.
"Oh. really" he exclaimed, with
open delight. ITS awfully nice of
you to tell me. I'll be here fishing
every afternoon, and" {.
Il didn't mean that" she flashed
back furiously.
He looked detected. Pardon me-"
he said. Il don't suppose you did.
merely meant that-that- Oh, please
don't CO." as she prepared to push
of. Selling a fallen branch he. dex-
terously hooked 1t through the long
rope that was tied to the bow of her
canoe. and drawing it toward him
grasped 1t firmly. Il simply meant"
he proceeded with calmness, that
was coming here, always, every after.
noon to hsh. You don't mind that, do
you?" he inquired humbly.
Il don't care in the least what you
do" she retorted, with angry disdain.
He gave the rope couple of turns
around his wrist and settled himself
comfortably. ~
''ln that case l shall sit here and
talk to you" he announced.
For answer Zoe pulled herself care:
fully toward the bow and began to
work busily ct the knot that secured
her end Of the rope to the little iron
ring in tho bow Of the canoe.
"Of course. might offer to help
you" he unused aloud. "but under the
circumstancss- What! You're 60
Ing to give II up? Well. that IL more
sensible. I'm afraid that knot was
put 70 u stay"
1oss AaDYsd back TO- her former 20.
,la1A ri ,IsaErangal haraAik q. ~