Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-05-08
CHAPTER vII.-(contlnued.)

CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)
And just then my upward reaching
hand found hers. And yet no, it
couldn't be her hand, either; it felt
like the crash cover of the cushion
rough and fbrous. And yet, by Jove,
it was a hand, for it gave mine a grip
that almost broke my fingers and
then dropped them. By the time L
looked up, l saw only her little palm
resting upward on her knee.
1t was funny; but had other things
to think about than puzzles.
She sighed well, I'm the one that
can feel for you, Dicky." Here the sigh
lifted and her laugh pealed like
chime of silver bells. Il guess Broth
er Jack doesn't know as much about
your affairs as he thinks, does he
eh? Why, he told me you were more
afraid of a girl than of mad dog.
And a slapping grip fell on my
shoulder that made me tingle from
head to foot. And yet I wished she
wouldn't do that; If she did it again,
I should just lase my head knew
should.
But here she rose, stretched her
arms, and dropped into the wicker
armchair. She hitched it nearer to
me.
You see, it's like this she began,
assuming a confidential air. You
know my sisters up at school at Cam
bridge, too"
AT Radcliffe colleagues" 1 nod
ded.
why. yes. Well, it's her room
mate"
"Eh? I don't believe /" I paused
perplexedly.
That's right-her roommate, l tell
you! And in a day or two she's COM
ing home with Sis for visit. 1 want
you to come up for a week end
won't you-and look her over-l
mean. see her and tell me what you
think of her. You'll go crazy about
her-oh. l know you will"
I entered a protest. "Oh, l say now
YOU know, there's only one girl ever
saw would care to look at twice"
She smiled adorably. "Oh, don't l
know all about how you feel? But 1
lust want you to see this girl-shes
the prettiest and SWEETEST that's been
around Boston for many day; and
on Sunday morning she could give
the flag to all the avenue. Why,
Dicky, she's from China!"
"China!" l must have looked the
scorn 1 felt. "Oh, come now, you don't
think Chinese girl is"
Not Chinese, Dicky." In her Gag
erness, she moved so near, the silk OF
her paiamas brushed my hand. shes
English. Her dads the British Gov
ernor General of Hong Kong-Colonel
Francis Kirkland, you know-beefy-
looking old chap with white mutton
cbops-I saw his picture"
Hong Kong! l wondered If she
knew Mastermann, the chap who had
sent me the red pajamas. Why, dash
it. of course she would; for this Eel
low Mastermann was out there on gov
eminent business, and he and the
governor must be thrown together
good deal.
Her musical laugh broke in on my
speculations. But the funniest thing
is. Dicky, her names the same as
mine"
Her name!. By Jove, and until this
moment, 1 had not thought
oh. say" l exclaimed eagerly,
what is your name, anyway"
The lustrous eyes opened vide,
why. you mean to say you don't
know? Thought you knew was
named after the governor. And she's
named after hers-Frances, from
Francis, you know-just the differ
ence in a letter. Seer"
Frances" I murmured lingeringly.
so your names Frances?"
Yes, and hers is Frances-odd.
isn't it,"
I assented, but I wished she would
drop the other girl wasn't inter
ested there, except just because she
was
Her bosom lifted with a sigh. Don't
you think Frances is a peach of
Eame?"
Its heavenly" I whispered. And
Pa glad to hear about your friend.
1oSs-
Her sweet face clouded. Not much
Of 9 friend; she don't lost any sleep
over me-" she commented gloomily.
Then there's Sis embarrassing me
with her influence ever since | got
hauled up before Prexy at Easter. Sis
"a awfuliy prissy"