Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-08-24

a column next the want" advertise
ments in the Midvale Clarion. 1t was
for the most part mildly amusing,
though now and then there came a
spice Of malice. Naturally there was
much curiosity among Clarion read
ers as to the real name of Jenny
Wren. But Editor Blake only smiled
at questions outright, and shook has
head at the willy ones who tried to
trap him into telling.
He was a good fellow, Editor Blake,
tall and thin, family stopped, and be-
ginning to grizzle. He kept away
from women, not through shyness. but
because they bored him. At least the
general mass of them did. There were
exceptions.
Because Beatrix Henry was the
youngest and far the prettiest of these
exceptions; moreover, saucily bright,
and just the least bit spoiled, more
than half of Midvale said she was
Jenny Wren, and governed itself ac
cordingly. Beatrix knew the fact
both as cause and effect. She was
asked everywhere, to everything,
through fear of what Jenny Wren
would say, or the greater fear that
she would say nothing.
1t was puzzling, however, that Jen-
ny often passed over with a line occa-
sions at which Beatrix had been al
most the bright, particular star; also
that functions from which she was
praised extravagantly or deftly ridi-
culed.
Still, with every beau in town more
or less among her satellites, Beatrix
was in the way of knowing almost ev
erything. Yet, for the would-be hui
morists who addressed her in public
as Jenny Wren she had a fine scorn
that in itself predicated innocence.
Moreover, was not Lily Green as
bright, as popular and very much
more given to sharp speeches than
she?
Lily also disclaimed emmy Wren
ship but, somehow, she did 1t less
convincingly. She too was among
Blake's exceptions-he dropped in to
see her for half-hours In the late after
moons when his days work was done.
And all this gave color of reason to
the public belief The public was
firmly convinced it was one of the
two girls-mRinly for the reason that
it could, according to its mind, be no.
body else
Beatrix and Lily did not love each
other. There were those who said Ed
itor Blake, despite his grlzzlings, was
the cause Of the war. However that
may have been, they were, in public,
so studiously civil to each other that
it was impossible to misunderstood
how the land lay. Jenny Wren never
mentioned either of the young women.
This made puzzling situation
Midvale never would have believed
it-but 1t was as much puzzle to
Beatrix and Lily as to anybody else.
Next to Jenny Wren's Identity, Mid
vale puzzled itself most as to what
Editor Blake did with his money. He
made the Clarion pay it's way-it new
er did more-but aside from that he
had tolerable competence. In spite
Of this he lived very simply-saddle
horses were his sole extravaganza.
But his income went out of the bank
as steadily as it came into it. He nei-
Their spent nor gave it away, to Mid
Wales knowledge; he could not waste
# In riot since he stucky by his work
year In and year out. Nor had he any
dependants-at least, any visible
ones-comtng. as he did. from a rich
family. He gave meagerly to town
charities, so meagerly indeed that
boards of lady managers were his
most hostile critics
Mrs. Light, head of the Improve
ment guild, said outright, in face of
a guild meeting. that he was distinct
ly a menace! She intimated by this
that his courage of illiberality kept
the rest of Midvale men from going
deep down in their pockets.
Keturah Scales. who, although she
sewed for a living, belonged to every
thing going and somehow did her
share. smiled oddly to herself. but
kept silent-as usual Lily Greer
flushed angrily. but was also silent.
Beatrix sprang up, with eyes light
ing wildly. Unless you take that
back she said. trying hard to speak
steadily, 81 will quit the guild-ard
so. think. will every other person
who hates stabbing in the dark"
Don't fly at me so fiercely, Jenny
Wren." Mrs. Light said, trying to
speak loosely, though she was frown-
ing. Il forgot" significantly Il will
take it back-on condition that you
ask all of US to the wedding"
And ask Lily to be maid of honor"
Mrs. Jaynes. vice-president. added.
She did not love Lily. and wanted to
drag her in.
Beatrix gave them a long, steady
look. Il won't affect to misunder-
stand you she said clearly. But
you do me too much honor. | could
not, if would. marry Allison Blake
he is too intent upon being the knight