Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1911-08-02

though distant sound or motor caR
approaching along the road.
Ordinarily Anne would have realized
that a large number of people are the
possessors Of motor cars at the pres
ent time, but now she Immediately
jumped to the conclusion that it must
be her father.
A dreadful fear assailed her lest
Walter and her father should meet, in
this lonely spot Her father was a Wig
orous, hot tempered man He had
never liked Walter What might he
not do now in his anger? Walter
would certainly stand no chance
against his possible onslaught.
Anne suddenly wished that Walter
was not quite so, oh, well, lady-like
and by-pamby-there were no
| other terms foI Though these were
the qualities which had especially at
tracted her to him in the first place. lie
he were only more like Herbert Sar-
geant. He could have fought his own
battles and hers, too. And then the
hot color flooded her cheeks as she re-
| membered that it was Herbert Sar-
geant whom her father had desired
| her to marry, and that it was on his
account that Walter and herself had
been forced into hasty action.
Oh, IL she had only let the boat so
on it's course unhindered.
But that wish was vain, for while
Anne had been giving way to her
fears, the motor boat, all UNDECIDED bv
her, had come close to the shore, and
a cheerful, familiar voice now called
out, Il wasn't expecting to find YOU
away down here, Anne
| Anne started
With dismay, she saw that the oc-
cupant of the boat was not Walter
James, but, Of all persons in the
world Herbert Sergeant.
| "Were-were you looking for me?''
she managed to stammer out incred>
ulously.
Who else?" Herbert laughed.
A feeling Of intense relief swept
! over Anne. She had not known before
that Walter and Herbert were friends
!, she did not quite understand yets
how they could be-still, since Her.
bert was here, everything must be all
! right. She had known Herbert all her
| life, and she could trust him implicit
ly. She knew he would take care OF
her
| The automobile passed on along the
F., country road UNDECIDED. and forgotten.
LET me help you into the boat,
Herbert commanded kindly, almost
! tenderly, springing lightly to her side,
ton.
Taking his place. at the wheel, he
! sent the boat speeding across the
river.
Anne watched him silently Now
that she had time to review the situ-
alton calmly she began to have seri-
GUS regrets as to the step she had
taken. 1t was too late, however, to
back out She must go on to the end.
why could Walter not come him.
self" she asked family.
Herbert looked at her pityingly. B
Then he burst out: Anne, how
could you care for. that contemplate
little cur ?"
/ Anne stared at him Indignantly.
| ooh, I suppose you'll hate me for
telling you," Herbert continued bitter
1y, but couldn't bear to have anyone
else know. Jim Grierson told me Wal
ter James had been asking all man
ner of questions about how much
money you had. I hunted the fellow
up, double quick, and after I'd told
him you hadn't a cent but what your
father felt like giving you, and he
wasn't likely to give you anything If
you married him, he showed that he
considered he'd put his foot in it, all
right, and he was so anxious to get
out, he blabbed this whole elopement
plan That's all, except that I
couldn't leave you to bear the shock
Of his not meeting you alone, so
simply had to come"
"You didn't hurt him?" Anne whis-
pered, with white lips.
mo-" Herbert said grimly.
| ooh, I'm so glad" Anne breathed.
Il wouldn't like to think you had de-
meaned yourself by touching anything
so vile"
Then Anne blushed violently, as
| she realized the full import of her i'm
pUlsive words
| A veil seemed suddenly lifted from be-
| fore her amazed eyes, and she realized
| that it was Herbert, and not. Walter,
whom she cared for all along. She
had merely allowed lifetime's friend
ship for Herbert to blind her as to the
real state of her feelings.
"Anne," Herbert cried, eagerly, do
you really mean it? You know have
always cared for you. My mistake lay
in telling your father before I told
you. Suppose we go on with this
elopement? We can go straight TO the
minister's"
1--WE haven't any marriage license"
Anne objected demurely, as they
stepped from the boat onto dry land.
| WED have to have one in this state,
know, because looked it up
q did too" confessed Herbert, as he
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