Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-05-19


boat with ease and grace. He had
dark foreign-looking eyes, strong fea'
lures, brown skin, even white teeth
and musical voice. He wore cordu-
roy trousers, blue flannel shirt with
rundown collar and rolled-up sleeves,
red tie, bit of cap on the back OF
his head, with a Byronic raven lock on
his brow.
When they were in the sailboat Ned
tried to draw him into conversation,
but sailor-like his eyes and thoughts
were centered on the boat and sky.
That is where the fascination lays"
thought Ned IF only he had shown
his level by his speech, Edith would
have been disillusioned. guess she Is
only worshiper from affair.""
They must keep you pretty busy
here" he observed as they landed.
Have to work evenings, suppose?"
Yes; that's our busy time," replied
Jack. "Once in a while lay off for
morning. l am going to get up to-
morrow and go to the ball game"
BE sure you do" urged Ned. TITS
going to be the game of the season"
He went home, relieved. Jack had
omitted all his "g's" and had said git"
for get" He went early to the game
the next morning and secured a seat on
the bleachers watching the entrance
faithfully. Presently Jack appeared,
dressed up" His attire was just
what Ned had hoped 1t would be.
At luncheon he remarked casually
to his sister: Bessie Lawrence and
l went to Round lake for sail yes
terday."
She blushed, and darted a quick
glance at him.
II hear the girls are all wild over
the new boatman. 1 don't wonder.
He's about as handsome chap as l
ever saw outside of a picture"
Edith looked relieved and pleased.
isn't he beautiful" she asked en-
Enthusiastically, land can't he handle
boat well?"
"Yes; he's born sailor. So you
have been sailing with hin. Edith"
'Yes, a few times" she said, hest
tating.
Have you been with him anywhere
else?"
"once or twice. We rowed up the
creek and"
"And where else. Edith" he asked
gently.
81 took him in my automobile for
ride"
"And do you think that was just the
thing to- do? Why not ask him to
come to your house, as you did Tom
and the others?"
II thought" she said, reddening
under his gaze, that you would OBJ
ject"
II would certainly prefer to have
you see him here than to be going
where he is. made his acquaintance
at the ball game this morning. l shall
ask him to call, If you like"
II don't think want him to CALL"
she said nervously.
why not?" he asked in feigned sur
prise.
'T>don't know just why" she said
doubtfully.
Il made inquiries about him and l
nnd that he is a respectable, indus
} trious fellow. I'll ask him to come up
after dinner tonight. l want to see
} him anyway and figure on sailboat
t party for next week"
? He telephoned to the resort and
Jack promised to call at eight o'clock
2 that night. When he was admitted
t by the maid Edith and Ned were in
the library. Edith looked at him and
turned away from Ned's dancing eyes
Jack wore bright tan shoes, plaid
!. SOCKS. Hight trousers, gaudy waist.
r coat. a gorgeous tie, a watch chain
: VITA a=nuftfp1icity Of dangling SlAaEfas
q large pin in his tie and an organiza-
I tion emblem in his lapel. He seemed
< perfectly at ease, however; much
more so than his hostess. And he
:. blithely ignored all the rules Of Eng
; hsh. After half an hour Ned consid
I cred from his sisters countenance that
t the lesson had been learned,
= NOW, Berdan," he said, let's figure
t on getting that biggest boat of>Xoura
: up through the chain of lakes"
S Then, II you want to talk business
may be excused" said Edith, hastily
6 leaving the room.
Q Present her brother called to her.
s Our caller had to depart" he said
t gravely. "He had only two hours
leave. BY the way, Edith, he con
e fided in me that he had a girls
o dandy girl. he said"
"Ned," she said, tears Of mortifica
. ton in her eyes. che looks SO differen
= In boat"
,. THAT is true. He should stay II
one, But did you know that Tom re
G turned today? May l telephone an(
g ask him to come up tonight?"
9 "He won't come" she said hope
II lessly.
q Lets see" he replied. going to tn,
l. telephone.
IS After a moments conversation, b
II handed her the receiver.
tom wants to speak to you. Edith.