Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-09-14

/ ~, DIT WnOm ne naQ looked K6onIy.
But Harry's nervousness had left
| him, now that Purdie was within his
reach. He returned the glance indif-
ferently. He stood close to the major
his hand on his shoulder. The ma
jor, with his bland blue eyes twin
king from Clara to Flora, seemed the
only man ready to devote himself to
the service of the ladies.
and what's the news from the
| front?" said Clara gayly. Kerr gave
gave her rapid glance; but the ma
| jor blinked as if the allusion had got
| by him.
II mean the mystery-the Chat
worth ring she explained.
mo news whatever, my dear Mrs.
Britton"
She smiled. Were all rather in
terested in the mystery. Flora has
made a dozen romances about it."
ooh, yes, yes" said the major indul-
gently. 1T will do for young ladies
to make romances about. It'll be
two days wonder, and then you'll sud
denly find out it's something very
tame indeed"
"Why, have they fixed the suspic-
ion?" said Clara.
There was a restless movement
from Kerr.
''No, no, nothing of that Sort" said
the major quickly.
Harry passed his hand through his
arm. MAY / see you for five min
utes, major?"
The excellent major looked har-
assed.
Suppose we all step up to the
house." he suggested. why, you're
not going, MANI" he objected, for
Kerr had fallen back step, and, with
| lifted hat and balanced cane, was sig
mailing his farewells.
"Do let us go up to the house." said
Clara "And Mrs. Purdie, won't you
drive up with me? Flora wants to
walk"
Flora stood up. She had confused
| impression that she had expressed no
such desire, and that there was room
| for three in the landau; but the men
tai shove that Clara had administered
gave her an impetus that carried her
| out of the carriage before she realized
what she was about.
Harry was already moving off up
the board walk with the major. The
| carriage was turning. Kerr looked
at the backs of the two women being
driven away, and then at Flora. Very
good" he said, raising her parasol;
hot
your faithful servant"
But indeed 1 do want to walk" she
| protested, little shy at the way he
read her case.
But you didn't think of it until she
gave you the suggestion, eh?" he
quizzed
Her cheeks were hot behind her
thin veil. They were strolling slowly
up the board walk, and for moment
she could not look at him. She could
only listen to the futter of the fringes
of the parasol carried above her head.
She felt herself small and stupid. She
could not understand what he could
see in her to come back to. Then she
gave a side glance at him. She saw
face were indeed extraordinary, but
none was hard. She liked that won
derful mobility that had survived the
gatherings of experience.
AS if he were conscious of her eyes,
he looked down and smiled; but
vaguely. He did not speak; and she
was aware that it was at her appear
L. 1o1 hot 11,Ix
reached him through his preoccupa-
ton and pleased him.
But what was he thinking about so
seriously between those smiling
glances? Not her problem, she was
sure.
They had almost reached the ma
ior's gate, and it was now or never to
find out what he thought of her. She
looked up at him suddenly, with in
curing eyes.
do you think I am weak?" she de-
manded
The lines of his face broke up into
laughter NO." he said, 81 think you
are misplaced"
She knitted her brows in perplexity,
UuG HIS Aduu w do Ol IuO WulIS plChGI
gate, and she had to walk through it
ahead of him as he set it open for
her.
Of their party only the two women
were in sight waiting on the diminu-
| tive veranda. Clara had a mild do
nestle appearance, rocking there be-
hind the ported geraniums. All the
windows were open into the little
shell of house Trunks still stood
in the hall, though the Purdies had
been quartered at the Preside for
nine months.
In this easy atmosphere, how was
| it that the thread of restraint ran so
sharply defined? Clara and Mrs Pur-
die were matching crewels; and, sit
| ting on the top step Flora instructed
Kerr as to the composition of the
| tropical glacier they were drinking.
Ten girls had probably so instructed
| him before, but it would do to fill up
| the gap.
| Like a stone pumped into pool
| the major and Harry re-entered this