Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-07-15

through every tortured crevice OF his
impatient frame. Like steel from flint
it struck out crisp oath that brought
an answering bovine snort from the
fence-corner.
Worming like a lizard to freedom.
his eyes puckered shut with the
wretched pang, John Valiant sat up
and shook his grimy fist in the air.
"You silly loafing idiot" he cried
"Thump your own crazy-bone and see
how you like It! You-oh, lord!"
His arm dropped, and flush spread
over his face to the brow. For his
eyes had opened. He was gesturing
not at the bull but at girl, who
fronted him beside the road, haughti-
ness in the very hue of her gray-blue
linen walking suit and, in the clear
cut cameo face under her felt cavalry
hat, myrtle-blue eyes that held a
smolder of mingled establishment and
indignation. An instant he gazed, all
the muscles of his face frightened with
chagrin.
IL beg your pardon" he STAN
mered. II didn't see you. really
didn't was-I was talking to the
bull"
The girl had been glancing from the
flushed face to the thistly fence-corner,
while the startled dignity of her feat
ures warred with an unmistakable ten
dency to mirth. He had struggled to-
his feet, nursing his bruised elbow
irritably conscious of his resemblance
to an emerging chimney-sweep.
don't habitually swear" he said, but
I'd got to the point when something
had to explode"
oh she said, don't mind mel"
Then mirth conquered and she broke
forth suddenly into a laugh that
seemed to set the whole place aquiver
with musical contagion. They both
laughed in concert, while the bull
paved the ground and sent forth
rumbling below of affront and chal-
lenge.
She was the first to recover. you
did look so funny!" she gasped.
II can believe it," he agreed, max
ing a vicious dab at his smudged Ell
bow. The possibilities of motor for
comedy are simply stupendous."
She came closer and looked curious
~ at the Quiescent monster-at the
steamer-trunk strapped on the carrier
and the bullying portmanteau peeping
over the side of the tonneau lis 1t
broken?"
Merely on strike, imagine. Are
we far from the village?"
About mile and a half"
It'll have to have it towed after me.
The immediate point is my traps. /
wonder If there is likely to be team
passing"
I'm afraid it's not too certain" an
swered the girl, and now he noted the
liquid meditation, with it's slightly
questioning accent, charmfngly South
ern. There is ne livery, but there Is
a peSrL who meets the train some
tunes. / can send him IL you like"
You're very good" said Valiant, az
she turned away, "and I'll be enor-
mously obliged. Oh-and if you see a
white dog. don't be frightened If he
tries to follow you. He's perfectly
kind"
She looked back momentarily.
"He-he always follows people he
likes, you see"
Thank you," she said The tone
had now a hint-small, yet percepti-
ble-of aloofness. I'm not in the least
afraid of dogs" And with little nod,
she swung briskly on up the Red Road.
John Valiant stood staring after her
till she had passed from view around
curve. "Oh, glory!" he muttered.
"To begin by shaking your fist at her
and end by making her wonder If you
aren't trying to be freshi You poor,
profane, f1oundering dolti"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)