Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-05-29

'Or as / do, no. Listen. am go
ing back with you Introduce me, let
me talk, and do just as l say. VIII
your" She promised, and again he
speeded up the little car.
Dusk was falling when they slid into
the Austin place. Mrs Austin and
Dickie came from the porch, followed
by other relatives. Selwyn got down.
handed out the girl, and took her arm.
smiling.
This is Mr.. John SeIwyn. Mrs
Austin
1t was all she had to say. Selwyn
put out his hand "Of Chicago he
explained. How are you, Richardf
Haven't seen you since your freshman
days at Harvard-get through?'' Dick
put out his hand. Selwyn knew too
much about him. Mrs Austin was
frigidly waiting for more-a queer
CLEAN In her eyes.
i don't understand" she said. "Kit-
tie, we have been looking for you
Selwyn took the matter up. II do
owe you an explanation he said.
You see l am engaged to Kittie. l
came out here to surprise her, and spw
her on the road and carried her of
for a ride. The engagement was to
nave been announced as soon as she
reached home. Her aunt knows 1t.
Surely you remember me, Mrs. Aus
tin? Met you at my sisters. Mrs.
Jackson" Mrs. Austin thawed and re-
membered-also remembered the
James fortune. and stiffened again,
But in decency she had to ask him to
dinner. He saw unpleasantness for
klttie ahead. and promptly came TO
the rescue again.
I'll be glad to stay to dinner, and If
Dickie will let me share his quar-
ters I'll invite myself to stay until
morning" Dickie was not in a posi-
ton to refuse The older man had
bought him out of a disgraceful col
lege scrape. He rose to the occasion
They all went in, Kittle hastily
dressed for dinner and Selwyn washed
up, refusing Dicks offer Of clothes.
restrained himself
Dinner went pleasantly enough be-
cause Selwyn would have it so. He
knew himself to be irreproachable, he
knew they knew it, and he had once
been deeply in love with Clara James,
who had chosen his friend Smiley in
stead. This was Clara's little sister.
And she was like Clara-perhaps she
was even sweeter than Clara. He
looked across the table at her Wild
rose bloom and wide blue eyes, the
fine, firm little chin and intelligent
forehead. She caught his glance and
her flush deepened and burned. He
again addressed Mrs. Austin. and as
he did so resolved to give Aunt Cor
nelia the scolding Of her life when he
saw her. To leave the girl with peo-
pie like this while she chased off to
suffrage meetings and got sick at the
wrong times!
Mrs. Austin. l am going to rob
you tomorrow of your guest. My sis
ter is with me in San Francisco. and
we are going to Los Angeles in a few
days. She will take Kittie with her
and meet her aunt there"
Kittie sat still and drew a long
breath Of relief. but her soul was burn
ing with shame and fear. What did
this splendid knight think of her for
even thinking she might ever love
Dickie Austin? What should she say
when she reached his sister? Of
course the engagement matter would
never go any further! Her heart sank
strangely.
The next day saw der safely on her
way to Mrs. Jackson. her face glow
ing. The ride was a wonder of &C.
light, the beauty of the country after
the eastern snow, most of all the
strong man beside her. She gave her
self to the JOY of the moment, charm
in CHIN with everything she said and
did. Freed from her trouble her
sweetness came to the top and bub-
bled and sparkled like champagne A
great protective sense came over the
man. but a twinge at the heart, too.
Only for today was she his. and he
would not have touched her finger
tips without her consent He turned
| to her as they neared San Francisco.
you've had an adventure, a real
one. haven't your" She looked at him,
SOLDERING, her eyes deep, but ner
tongue would not speak i've never
been engaged before" ne said, land
I'm nearly thirty. 1t is very lovely.
| shall always remember it-long
after you have married the right man
younger and brighter than l."
She shook her head
Il shall never-never-mar any
body-an my lifc!" she burst out.
"After-Dickie-T should be-afraid. >"
She shivered and driving with one
hand, he caught at her slim fingers.
Would you be afraid of me?
Would your" Her eyes filed with
tears.
"Oh, but It isn't-real about you,
You had to lie to get me out of trou-
bic. and you've got yourself in Mrs.
Austin will tell people and-and-"