Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1910-02-24


and down, weaving sidewise, she let
the dig fish play. Wilmer watched
her almost enviously. He must. him
self. have hooked the grandfather OF
all trout, but II was nothing like 80
game.
I'll, thar, you up tree! You better
come down." the Ennis boy shouted,
but the fisherwoman remained inyisi-
Die. That's nobody but Just that
pien Joe Lane-you know 4 told You
she wasn't more'n half gal." he con
ided In low aside to Wilmer, who
nodded comprehension.
lie had been hearing things about
Joe-a Wild piece, motherless, brought
up by mad old grandfather, to tho
scandal OF all tho overgood. For she
had never been sent to school, and
had done exactly as she pleased all
through her nineteen years OF life.
More than that, she had a way-a way
that fetched all tho fellows I'm tho
countryside only TO be sent about their
business again-even Steve Batson,
VINO mad store and three farms.
Inc big trout moved sluggishiy. It
was simply marvellous how that FAX
line had held him Wilmer was wild
70 ASK what bait had lured him, even
though his own quarry filed his hands.
he was reeling in. deity but slowly,
making gains now OF foot, now OF an
men. lie had not yet got sight OF his
prize. Suddenly. in spite OF reeling 10.
the line slackened; he saw at the
waters face the snaky head and neck
Oh big swapping turtle. An instant
inc creature held FAST permitting
itself to be drawn toward the bank.
then II severed the line and sank back
TO It's fSstness OF roots and rocks.
There came a tinkling laugh from the
willow tree, followed by q merry voice
crying; Please go away, you twoi
want to come down before your big
hsh comes and eats up mine"
Let H. help you-you1l never land
him alone" Wilmer called back.
on. can't-nor until You co." tho
voice returned.
AZ Just that moment tho trout gave
wild running leap. showing clear In
air. then sounding viciously.
The h3herwoman held fast, but in
stopping his rush lost balance and
went splash into the pool. As she fell.
Wilmer understood--her feet were alb
solutely bare. He plunged in. The
pool was well over his head, but Il was
nothing to 1riLg the girl safe TO bank.
She still held the line-the Ennis boy
snatched II from her. plunged in him
self, winding line az he trod water
across half a dozen yards, then with n
quick tive reached the tired trout, held
him .ast and scrambled in triumph to
the bank.
"CoLiess that YOU envy him." the
girl said, nodding toward the Ennis
boy. She stood dripping. but happy,
making no effort even to wiring water
from ner skirts II can't understand
why you chose 10 pull me out instead
OF the fish," she went on. 81 fear you
are no true brother Of the angle"
well. you see, II was your fab, ana
wanted 1t badly" Wilmer pleaded In
excuse.
The girl shook her head. That's q
question. she said. True, I hooked
the trout--with oh. such big red
worm for bait!-but didn't land him.
Grandad will have to decide tho
point OF ownership; he used to be q
Judge. you know. and Is. I'm sure,
much wiser than Solomon"
Take me to him at once" Wilmer
commanded. The girl nodded and
darted along footpath. beckoning the
others tofollow.. Soop they came upon
a red brick house with vide bospitable
piazzas and open doors.
Judge Lane sat at case there, smOk-
Ing AM dipping into big shabby vol
ume Of lEaah Walton. He did not
seem shocked by Joes plight
you. miss. have no sort Of claim 10
the fish. You lost II disgracefully,
through Ewes sin OF curiosity" he
said. "As for those others. Z think
they cat settle Il between them. But,
bark ye. Jacky Ennis. ye've made .
great catch-one that ought to De
worth at least two dollars"
Wilmer paid more; but the trout waa
not sent away. Instead Il wan cooked
for dinner In the Lane kitchen. And
some SIX months later Wilmer came
asking the Judge for Josephine. The
old man listened In silence, ana AZ the
end said. with twlnkling eyes:
"Humphl II seemn that fish case Is
mighty hard 20 settle. What n you
did pull Joe out Of the water-dye hap.
pen 70 know she can swim like mer-
maid?"
"Wha, has that TO do with it7" viii
mer demanded. you admit did pull
her out. L was or that ground you
gave Jacky the fish. Surely you don't
mean to reverse yourself7"
mo. for II ! did ! might be re-re-
versed," the Judge said. laughing soft
ly. besides. I'm a stickler for prece-
dent-and Josephine always had her
own way"
n.