Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-05-01
CHAPTER v-(continued).


"All right" she said; and thought
her eyes flashed a little. 'Then go
to hotel-that's ALL"
"a hotel! Why, you can't do that
oh, say!"
Why can't II" She was downright
angry could see it; and how dis
tractfngly lovely she was with that
flame in her cheeks!
But she was just a child-an limo
cent little child; and how the deuce
could l ever make her understand?
l stammered: "Why-er-not in
New York, you know. They won't take
a lady in at this time of night. They"
She snapped her fingers. "Oh, |
say, Mr.. Ltghtnut, play easier on that
grille and lady pedal; cook up a fresh
gag! l tell you, I've put all that be-
hind me. Say, wait till you've known
me a little, and I'll bet purse you
never call me lady again! Lady!
Say, that's FUNNY"
And it certainly seemed to strike
her sense of humor She gave me
sudden punch in the side that fairly
left me breathless, aad her laughter
rang out birdlike, joyous. OF sud
den l felt devilish awkward and fool
ish.
"Oh, please stop stringing me, Mr..
Lightnut-dont treat me like kid.
| want to get acquainted" Then her
bright face sobered. Say, was that
on the level-that about your going
to leave me? See here, I'm not both
ering you, am I, Mr. Lightnut?"
"Bothering met" calculated. Both
ering me? l should say not!"
1 think I must have said it heartily
and convincingly, don't you know, for
her lovely face looked pleased.
Because If 1 am she said earn
estly, 'Ill fade away into my own lit
tie room there" Her glance ranged
toward her door. Its sure some
swell, that ROOM"
so jolly glad you like it." said.
well, l should say!" Then her
beautiful eyes looked at me full.
You know, I didn't expect this-I
mean having room all to myself
Never"
And then, while gasped, she went
on, sweetly and calmly:
why, Mr.. Lightnut, Brother Jack
would throw seventeen thousand fits
if l went to a hotel, because" She
laughed deliciously well, promised
him that if he would let me come
home by New York l would stay right
here with you and behave myself"
Behave yourself!" l echoed indig-
nantIy. why, look here, do you mean
to say Jack Billings-your own broth
er, you know-thought you wouldn't
-er-do that at a hotel?"
Thought" Her laugh this time
was explosive mo, he never thought;
it; he knew l Wouldn't He knew |
would be tearing around all night with
the boys-that's what"
And dash me, if she didn't throw
herself back with kind of swagger,
why, you-you wouldn't do such
thing!" l uttered family
Wouldn't -" She. Strengthened sud-
denly. and her lovely blue eyes mar
rowed at me. Say, Mr.. Lfghtnut,
don't want you to get me sized up
wrong. I'm none Of your little waxy
gatdenias- much! When I'm in
New York, it's the bright lights and
the Great White Way for mine-yes,
sir, every time!"
And she gave me a blow on the
shoulder that was like a stroke from
mans arm. 1t sent me down into
my chair
IF you don't believe me-" she add
ed. her face shining with excitement,
Just you ask Jack about last summer
when l came through-about that joy
ride to Coney With three Columbia fell
lows. and how we got pinched. oh,
mamma, but didn't Jack swear at
mel"
| heard @ noise by the doos Jen-
kins stood there, his eyes sticking out
like hard boiled eggs.
I'm back. sir" he said rather
faIteringIy. Beg pardon, sir; just
thought you'd want to know. 1 didn't
know you-h'm!" And with an odd
look and little cough Jenkins slipped
away. But scarcely noticed him at
ALL
Poor misguided girl!
Ny brain was buzzing like devil
ish hive of bees, don't you know. By
Jove, this was something awful!
And yet-and yet Her frank, sweet
face met mine with clear light that
there was no mistaking. There was
Q going behind it-she was thor