Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-04-29

| only thing we can do is to run"
Billy grabbed up her gloves and
obeyed with alacrity. Bartlett and
the general followed in dignified ma
| jesty. Alphonse came last and shut
each door as they passed through.
With no undue haste, and yet with no
| lettering to admire a perfect summer
| morning, they climbed into the cars;
Alphonse alone in the generals, the
other FIVE in Bartletts. with Bartlett
at the wheel.
Shall we rush them?" suggested
the Watermelon with happy anticipa-
ton.
Alph0nse, like the voice of reason.
calm, Unconditional, blase. spoke:
There is a COW lane back of the barn.
1t Is wide enough for the cars. 1t
leads into the road farther on. / left
the bars down"
You're a man, Alphonse." said the
Watermelon.
They glided without further COM
ment through the barnyard into the
rocky, tree-shaded COW lane. The gen.
eral glanced behind. No one was in
sight The lane was narrow and
rough. last springs mud having hard
ened into humps and ridges from the
passing of many feet. The cars ran
slowly of necessity, and while the
engines throbbed, the noise was not
loud, and the slight hill on which the
house stood deadened the sound and
concealed the cars from anyone in
/ front.
Henrietta leaned toward the Water
melon, who sat on the small seat just
in front of her and just behind the
general. ION such an occasion as
this" she asked. what did father
used to say?'
Nothing" said the Watermelon.
There were two times when he never
said anything, one was when he was
asleep and the other was when he was
escaping from the police"
oh cried Billy, The was a minis
ter. why should he have had to escape
from the police?"
HE left the ministry" explained the
Watermelon.
What did he say when he left it?"
leased henrietta.
"Good-by," said the Watermelon.
Then the cars turned into the road
and two men stepped from the bushes
on either side. They were tall, raw
/ boned country men, in Tapping straw
hats and blue jeans. Each carried a
a tender pleasure in the feel of it,
each chewed big piece of tobacco
and each was apparently more than
enjoying the situation. The Water
melon, leaning forward, with wary
eyes, was pleased to see look of sur
| prise fit across their square-jawed,
sun-tanned faces as they saw the sec
ond car slowly following the first, and
four men instead of one, as the tele-
gram had said "one man in big red
touring car" the make and engine
number given.
What's the make of your carr" de-
manded the taller of the two of Bart
lett, laying his hand ON the fender.
| Surprised, Bartlett told, thankful
that he had not been asked for his
| name.
/
man,
Bartlett gave 1t.
License number?"
! Great Scott!" snapped Bartlett
What do you want next? My age?
My number is on the back of my car
have SO many cars l have forgotten
it. Go and look. or ask my man. Al
| nh hot hor hn
back?"
"97411,'' droned Alphonse coldly.
BE both these cars yours?" asked
the man, puzzled and a bit disappoint-
ed.
That car" said the general pomp-
ously, "is mine. Allow me-" He drew
his card-case from his pocket, and to
the tall mans CONSERVATION and Bart
let's horror, presented him with his
card. The two withdrew and consult
ed moment. Clearly the family par
ty before them was not the young
man wanted in Wilton for stealing a
motor-car and suit of clothes, but for
all that, what were they doing in an
empty house?
I'VE can arrest EN- and get a fine
anyway" said the taller of the two.
and the other agreed
The Watermelon leaned forward
with languid interest, his hat on the
back OF his head. How dye do?" he
drawled. What are you doing with
the popguns?
Hunting" grinned the spokesman
pleasantly.
ANY luck?" asked the Watermelon
Bet cher life!" said the man. Got
what we were after"
"Bear?" asked the Watermelon limo
Gently.
s5