Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-04-17

lCopyright, lgl2. b. a ssoeLated LIterary Press.)
By A. HOWARD GUNTER

! minding himself that he was busi-
ness manager, sporting editor and
society reporter for the only paper in
the county, that his Aunt Sallie, who
had raised him. had said that very
night that any girl would be proud
to marry him, and that it must be
now or never. And all the time he
sat glumly in straight-backed chair,
facing Genevieve, who chatted gayly.
They. too, heard the unusual noise
in the hall, and the girl was fright
ened. Before Jack Wilton could re-
assure her the curtains parted and
the rat and the cat darted into the
room. The young man sprang up
with open arms and Genevieve, utter
ing one unearthly shrek, rushed into
his close embrace. Her hair was
tousled, her white frock crushed and
Jack Wilton, in hot rush of words,
told her everything that he had meant
to tell her and a great deal more
besides.
He might have talked all night, had
not voice of thunder interrupted
him
Sir, what does this mean?"
In the door stood Mr. Grantwood,
glazing ominously, with Mrs. Grant
wood in curl papers and a blanket,
trying very hard to see and not be
seen, and behind them Tommy Grant
wood, grinning broadly. John Will
ton had seen Mr. Grantwood in tow
ering RACES, but never so angry as
this; he had seen Mrs. Grantwood
relaxing" in rocking chair, but
never so limp as LOW. Still he did
not waver
"Genevieve, come to your mother,
commanded Mrs. Grantwood
Genevieve did not stir; she was ex-
periencing the first great thrill OF her
ladylike life. and she chung to her
lover
"Sir!" cried Mr.. Grantwood, swell
ing with rage; but his wrathful tor
rent OF words was cut short by Thorn
as Vaudeville Grantwood- who shout
ed:
Say, pa, look at that rat.''
For Jack Wiltons cat had at last
cornered her prey and was bringing
it to her master for the customary
praise Mr. Grantwood, at his small
sons suggestion, looked.
Good gracious, Lily" he exclaimed,
what rat!" And forgetting his
daughter he fell on his knees by the
cat
Mr. Grantwood," begged Jack VIII
ton, pressing his girl to his heart,
Il love your daughter"
Mr. Grantwood was pressing the
cat to his heart Jack he replied
with conviction, "shes the best ratter
in the state"
Il know l am not worthy" sighed
the young man, but I'll try to make
her happy"
she's hungry" suggested Mr..
Brentwood, land she's much too line
to eat rats Get her a chicken bone,
Tommy"
Give her to me-" urged Jack Will
ton, and the absent-minded MIR.
Brentwood realized at last that he
was being asked for his daughters
hand He picked up the cat and his
eyes began to twinkle. All right.
jack" he answered, "I1l swap with
you. If you must have Genevieve,
must have the cat. Now that's bar
I gain"
A little later In the evening Jack
Wilton was fastening home to tell
| his Aunt Sallie the glad news. The
| blood was still pounding unreason-
ably through his veins. and he
| seemed to be walking on air, wnen
| suddenly the words OF his poem came
| back to him, imbued with new and
wonderful meaning. He thought Of
the time he had spent on that poem.
| his nights OF agony, his early morn
| ing fittings in pursuit of inspiration
! from the rising sun. And its queer. 4"
he unused. for he was still of the
opinion that a newspape man Is
necessarily literary" that it wasn't
the poem that won her after all, but
my old mouser. Nelly"