Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-04-06
How He Did 1t
By LOUISE IDA ROSS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

was 1IduceS anu site was d girl. Inc
two accomplishments were flirting and
athletics. She lived in summer on a
lake ten miles long by three to six
miles broad and could beat any other
girl near it rowing, sailing, swimming,
diving, fishing and any other sporting
accomplishment fitted for women. The
boys were all in love with her.
Frank wasn't prescriptions as to
making believe that she returned their
affection, at least to a slight degree,
but nothing definite could be got out
Of her by any Of them. Charlie Wig
gins, who was a year or two older
than the rest Of them and consequent
ly harder for her to manage, was a
cool sort of a chap, and it bothered her
because she couldn't tease him as she
leased the others. Near the end of a
summer she had half promised to be
engaged to half a dozen fellows and
feared she would be obliged to be
serious with some one of them. Charlie
came up from the city for a two
weeks vacation. 1t struck Frank that
by giving him the most Of her time
the others would drop out Of the race,
thinking that he was the lucky nan
Then when they found they were mis-
taken she could accuse them Of hav-
ing deserted her.
Charlie fell into the trap very easily;
but, though he didn't let Frank know
it, he had no mind to fall out. With
her permission, to say nothing of en-
enlargement, he devoted himself to
her till just before the time when be
must leave. Then he laid his own trap.
Frank he said, that little single
sticker your father gave you in the
spring is a dandy, isn't she?"
"She can beat anything on the lake"
Except my Gertrude"
HIN! Your Gertrude's a tub. By
the bye, who's she named for?"
'"That's q secret"
Frank slowly raised her long lashes
and gave him a look.
"You think she can beat my Polly,
eh?"
I'm sure of it."
"TH bet you a pound of candy
against
Nonsense. Do you suppose I race
for trifles?'
what stakes would you race for?"
Charlie didn't reply for ONE time.
Then he said: "Tll race my Gertrude
in a wind fair for both two miles up
and two miles back. If you lose you
marry me-; if you win | marry
"WhomT"
"My boat"
81 know what you mean. You'll
marry this mysterious Gertrude"
There's 10 knowing by what fem
inine process Frank made up her mind
to accept the challenge. She certainly
hadn't the slightest doubt that the
Polly could sail around the Gertrude
in circles, the latter being VIGOROUSLY
the most sluggish boat on the lake.
But she was a trite jealous of this
unknown Gertrude, and Charlie was
to marry her if he were beaten. Be
this as it may, the race vas made up
to take place on the first day there
was a sufficient breeze. Frank was to
sail the Polly and Charlie the Ger
trude.
On the day of the race there was a
breeze varying from 4 to 10 knots.
Charlie gaze Frank permission to in
Spect his boat. which she did, but
Charlie declined TO inspect the Polly.
Most of Franks semifiances as we'll
as many others were on hand to see
the race. but no one knew the stakes.
All expected that it would be a walk
over for Frank.
A designated starter fired a pistol,
and when the boats sailed owe the
line another was fired. indicating that
the race was on. AS was expected,
the Gertrude dropped astern of her
rival from the first. But when the
former had got over half and the latter
three-eighths Of a mile the Gertrude
ceased to lose. The Polly turned the
stake boat a quarter of a mile ahead,
when the Gertrude began to make a
slight gain. This was astonishing, for
she didn't careen any more under a
fresher breeze. indicating she didn't
get one. She was not long in catching
the Polly and not much longer in pull
ing ahead of her, though this at first
was hard to tell, for Virgins passed
a hundred yards to her lee. This was
considered very good of him, since his
boat did not blanket his rival.
Meanwhile the breeze had lost nearly
half its force, But while this made a
great deal Of difference in the speed
of the Polly it did not affect that of
the Gertrude. The latter sailed on,
slowly gaining Oh her rival. coming in
an eighth of a mile ahead. The win
ner was received with no especial
demonstrations, for sympathy was all
with the lady, But what was lost in
roofing was made up in surprise. Wig
gins remained in his boat till Frank
came in beside him, blushing like a
peony. at which every one wondered.
Charlie stepped into her boat and
handed her ashore. saying as he did so:
Ladies' and gentlemen. l take both
pride and pleasure in introducing my
fancee,"
The half dozen semifances who were
present were crushed, and Frank wish