Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-05-10

against a paper of pins that you'll
have a cowboy for a son-in-law,"
laughed Edith Dougher as she made
ready for Mrs. Meredith Ogden's dance
in honor of Robert Alton, nephew
from the southwest.
You'll lose" warned her mother.
"One good lunch with you, even II
have to pay for it, is preferable to
taking all my meals with a Texas bad
man. Oh, you needn't shake your
head His wonderful attractions will
prove to be the outcome of Mrs. Og-
denis vivid Imagination. She should
have been a writer"
Its rather funny, isn't it, that she
has practically married you to her
nephew before you have had chance
to look him over 1t wasn't exactly
generous of her to discuss the matter
so freely, for it will be trying in case
you do not like the man"
Like him? Impossible. 1t would
be too much like one of the many ro-
mances I have written for the maya
zines. They don't really happen,
mother"
A bell tinkled. and Edith caught up
a big white coat. There is the gentle
man Of the orchids They look pretty
on the white gown. Isn't it too bad
that l can't fancy bald head ana
Fifth avenue establishment instead OF
writing foolish stories for our bread
and butter in a hat?"
Well, we're happy"
Yes, and there Is something in
that. Good night"
For weeks the arrival OF Mrs. Og-
den's nephew had beer eagerly antlc1-
pated, for his attractions were nu-
merous, according to his kinswoman,
who recounted them with mathemati-
cal precision to every eligible young
woman of her acquaintance. But she
constantly said that he must be the
man for Edith Dougher, and stated
emphatically that she expected to do
everything in her power TO make the
match
Edith Dougher and her mother had
been compelled to give up their plan
tation home, and had moved to the
metropolis, believing that Edith would
ind a place there for her work as
writer At first she had struggled
along bravely with very little encour-
agement, but eventually some short.
breezy articles from her pen coming
under the notice of q prominent jour
nalist. she began to be successful and
soon acquired a name for herself. The
old-time southern charm of blended
grace and dignity had soon sur
rounded her with many friends. She
had several offers of marriage, two or
three that the world called brilliant
opportunities. but at twenty-eight she
was still single She felt that she
could love, she often declared, but
smilingly added that the blind god
had passed her by.
Isn't he all l promised and more"
demanded Mrs Ogden.
"All and more" repeated Edith,
feeling the blood mount to her face
and throat.
L am glad to know you, said Alton
warmly. Something in his brown eyes
held her gaze; they were laughing
down into hers. TT seems that we
are destined TO be friends by Fate"
and Edith smiled at the large proper
lions Fate had assumed in the person
of his august aunt Don't let Fate
prejudice you At least, don't make
a decision until have had hearing"
Within a week people were nodding
significantly when Edith and Alton
appeared together, but the girl was
apparently unconscious of it, She at
tributed her interest in the man to
the fact that in hearing the stories of
western life he told her she was accu-
mulating valuable material for future
work
One afternoon Alton had taken her
for a drive. and afterward she had
asked him in for cup of tea.
80 you think my western stories
are poor, or, to put it more tactfully,
unreal?"
Il didn't say that" he corrected;
but did say that your western men
are too mild or too fierce You have
not drawn the man Of the west as he
up the town."
Yes. I am willing to confess that
you disappointed me. Are you good
type?"
"A likely one, he answered.
AS he was leaving, Alton noted for
the first time that Edith's eyes looked
tired though her lips smiled
Until tonight" she said.
why, you've been working over
time because I've been so selfish 1t
was hard to stay away when l wanted
so to come, but I'll try not to forget
again, Edith He smiled apologize
ally at use Of her name.
so you're not coming tonight?"
For Just little while" said Alton,
shamefacedly. as he hurried down the
steps.
What was 1t, she reflected, this
subtle. indennable something that
was making life SO sweet to her?
Could It be love, the allabsorbing