The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-25
LADY OF THE LAKE
BY NJ. Neutrality-suspicious..

unclipped-long trails grew az ma
ture willed from the vines. But
there was no touch Of decay or pow
erty in the house proper gay cushions
upon the piazza. lawn rug spread be-
tween garden chairs, litter OF new
books. Doors stood Hospitality wide.
but there was no sign OF life--not even
after Withers had knocked with un.
usual vigor.
But presently an old negro peered
cautiously around the corner Of the
house, stared at them hard minute
and then shrilled out In the high
pitched tone OF the stone deaf: mo
use yer waitin'. Woon't see Miss
M'ria-Susan much fore sundown-
she've turned plumb foolish an
tooken the hull kit an b'ilin' she've
got yere OF ter the crick, an the
swimmin' hole-with fishpoles an
dinner baskets an sich."
Good! Well follow-being fisher
men Of degree" Withers proposed gay
ly. slipping silver In the old, lean hand
Davis hesitated. Sure Wen be vel
come? ?" he asked. Il confess the
swimmin' hole tempts--but suppose
we find it-occupiedf"
Here the men found her, the lady
Of the lake. As the car stopped at
the very waters edge they saw her
splashing showers upon the heads
Of three small boys. gurgling and
painting In the nearest shallow. Be
yond. five young girls swan labori
ously, almost painfully, In ward OF
three strapping lads A young man
and maiden lounged upon blanket
spread bank, and made brave show
at fishing
The lady Of the lake greeted With
ers cordially ami acknowledged DAVIS
presentation with an easy unconcern
that robbed the situation of all awk
wardness.
Il do wish you could come in," she
declared heartily, waving her hand
toward the enticing water "Oi
course you can fsh--you might even
wade, or dangle your feet In water
But don't, please. disturb them
waving toward the pair piscatorial. III
would be cruelty to children-besides
what Is cne nice girl among 80 many?'
Come out yourself! Can't we per
suade your" Withers entreated.
She laughed softly, saying. Il will
IL you will help me in the closing
game"
Tell us how! We're your &C
completes" Withers shot back.
She looked at the timorous. small
boys. saying refectively: Il know
they could swim II they had to--end
they'd have to II they were pitched
In here beside me. heels over head"
Here they comet Catch!" With
ers shouted. wading out and seixins
the smallest youngster. to swing
him deftly into the "swimmin' hole
Down went the child-to come VI
splutteriug, but laughing, within
yard CT Mrs. Elliot, who drew away
saying firmly: Now for II Tommy
Swiml"
Tommy swam-the plunge hat
washed away his cowardice. He. ever
patronized Ned. the next to be tossed
Billy. who had bulldog Jaw. wrigglet
and kicked
''No-these are not slum children
Just tots she picks up and invites here
fer month or fortnight, Withers
explained. "Schoolboys. too-you SEE
the big fellows-and girls"
Mighty decent OF her-if she is ar
accomplished fiirt," Davis returned
his eyes fast upon the deserted cabin
that served as bath house. Almost
as he looked tho small girls swarmed
from one door OF 1t. the lads and
small boys from the other. And right
upon their heels came the lady Of the
lake. glowing and happy. tendrils Of
wet hair clinging to her forehead, hei
eyes dewy dark. yet lucent Hei
thin blue frcck, quaker-plain. came
modestly high at the throat. but had
sleeves short enough to reveal armi
of admirable taper and scftness.
She locked down plaintively at hei
small well-shod feet. saying to With
ers: Jimmy. isn't 1t shame not to
go barefoot this fine hot weather."
why not? No law against It'll
Withers answered bravely.
She shock her head signing re.
signediy; "You forget Bridgeway He
would die of shame for me---and
really can't afford to kill my social
conscience"
Bridgeway was the old black man !
who had met them at the house. He
was reminder from her fathers
time, and to h.E. "Mria-Susan'
would always be child, Indeed. she
started almost guiltily when he ap
peared upon the opposite creek bank
making trumpet of his lean hands
and shouting "Ye better come to the
house righten erway! Er pesky pile
more men is thar waitin' ter court
ye."
shall we go boldly and send them :
about their tusiness?" Davis asked (
wondering at himself for his pre-
sumption. In response. he got q
beautiful sidelong upward glancs and
u very soft: "N-noi l rather like
tc-hear what people have to say" |
This was the beginning. The end
came two weeks later when Davis,