The Virginia enterprise., 1912-08-02
Waterbury's Water War

By PLIMbtER ERSKINE

Literary Press.)
evening in a telegram that was sent
to New York. 1t may have been q
violation of regulations, but the
entire town knew that the colonel had
wired:
Keep Clio in city. Young Water
bury here.'
1t was brief enough. but sufficient to
give the hint that a romance lay be-
hind the matter, and interest grew at
more than compound rates.
The colonel, with growing uneasi-
ness, observed the change Of senti,
ment. He had been accustomed to
dominate the small community and
now he found that Waterbury's more
practical ideas were being accorded
the greater respect. 1t was fntolerable
that this enemy should invade his own
town and destroy his prestige, but 1t
was none the less a fact though the
colonel stormed.
Then came the final straw in the IN
timation that a scion Of royalty had
decided to visit "the States" and would
accept the colonePs repeated invita-
tions .
Il am anticipating with great pleas
ure," wrote the Parsonage, "a visit TO
Castle Carr. l recall the photographs
you showed me and am anxious to see
an American country place."
For an hour the colonel sat before
the window, looking out across the
rank marsh grass to the ugly.wall ana
the colony of muskrats on the 1urtner
side. At last he went over &c
the table and drew out telegraph
blank.
Clio appeared three days later IN
answer to the summons. 1t was toc
dark to see the lake when she arrived.
but early the next morning she looked
out of her window and giggled with
a most unfllial appreciation of Water
bury's attack.
She preserved grave face at the
interview with her father, and pres
emily she departed behind the Carr
chestnuts, clothed with plenipotentiary
powers.
Apparently Waterbury had some
knowledge Of her coming, for ne was
waiting for her on the piazza.
What do you think Of the FUR
farm?" he asked. Look good from
your side of the water?'
you ought to be ashamed OF your
self, Fred" she scolded. Its perfect
ly horrid.''
"1t's your fathers fault" he defend.
ed. II didn't want to make trouble,
and l wasn't going to see my musk
rats 20 homeless this winter. nor was
I going to have my frog industry inter-
fered with"
81 know" she agreed. But fathers
in an awful fix"
Look here, Clio," he said earnestly.
1--WE either got to lick or be licked.
I've licked him good and I'm going to
rub it in. It's the price Of peace. dear.
Your father will respect the man who
has defeated him. He never will II l
appear to give in. I've worked like a
day laborer ever since spring and I'm
entitled to my victory. You come to
make terms, don't you?"
ITO plead with you." she corrected.
ITO ask you, for the sake OF old
friendship, to give up this idea. You
will be paid all you have expended
and handsome profit.
"And If refuse?"
VOL, nc last rosort she con.
fessed, II think father might be will
ing to merge the two properties. We
could build on this side Of the lake.
It would help the view"
II think I'll drop over" laughed
Waterbury, land talk over building
plans. Come and see the place"
With little exclamations of wonder
and delight she accompanied him over
the farm. Waterbury could afford the
best and his place was most com.
plete.
1T seems a shame that this will all
have to co." she said, regretfully. Il
suppose you will give it up"
For you, yes" he assented. And
count IL wen 1OSI III tuo UoI 6dlu l
think I'll keep couple of muskrat
families, though, as sort Of re.
minder to the colonel"
The colonel stared when he saw
the two leave the carriage together,
and Clio, tripping up the steps. ex'
planned:
"He says that am the price of the
property, father. You told me to
make the best bargain could. He
would not listen to any other
terms
The colonel sank back in his chair
and helplessly regarded his prospec
tive son-in-law. Only surrender was
possible.
"You have stood my test" he said
with dignity. Il wanted to prove you
before gave my consent"
Waterbury. his arm round Clos
waist, smiled pleasantly.
"You don't expect me to believe
that, do you?" he asked. The colo
nel's head sank. Even from the
last ditch he had been driven in
defeat.