The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-08-25
LADY Of THE LAKE
BY M. M'cuLLocH-WILLIAMs.


Like the grass, the shrubbery was
unclipped-long trails grew as 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 I'M
usual yigor.
But presently an old negro peered
cautiously around the corner of the
house, stared at them hard a minute
and then shrilled out in the high
pitched tone of the stone deaf: mo
use yer waitin'. Won't see Miss
Mria-Susan much fore sundown-
she've turned plumb foolish an
token the hull kit an bilin' she'ye |
got yere off ter the crick, an the |
swimmin' hole-with fshpoles 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 We'll be vel
Gomez" he asked. Il confess the
swimmin' hole tempts-but suppose
we find it-occupied?"
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 q blanket
spread bank, and made brave show
at fishing
The lady of the lake greeted With
ers cordially and 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. "Of
course you can ffsh-you might even
wade. or dangle your feet in water.
But don't, please, disturb them
waving toward the pair piscatorial. ct
would be cruelty to children-besides,
what is one nice girl among so many?"
Come out yourself! Can't we per
suade you?" Withers entreated.
She laughed softly, saying, 81 will
if 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: 81 know
they could swim if they had to-and
they'd have to if they were pitched
in here beside me, heels. over head"
Here they comet Catch!" With.
ers shouted. wading out and Selling
the smallest youngster, to swing
him deftly into the ''swimmin' hole. .
Down went the child-to come up
spluttering. but laughing, within a
yard of Mrs. Elliot. who drew away,
saying firmly: Now for it Tommy!
Swim!"
Tommy swam-the plunge had
washed away his cowardice. He even
patronized Ned, the next to be tossed.
Billy, who had bulldog jaw. wriggleG
and kicked.
"No-these are not slum children
just tots she picks up and invites here
for month or a fortnight" Withers
explained. "Schoolboys, too-you see
, the big fellows-and girls"
Mighty decent of her-if she is an
accomplished firt," Davis returned
his eyes fast upon the deserted cabin
that served as bath house Almost
as he looked the small girls swarmed
-
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, her
eyes dewy dark, yet lucent. Her
thin blue frock, quaker-plain, came
modestly high at the throat, but had
sleeves short enough to reveal arms
of admirable taper and softness.
She looked down plaintively at hel
. small well-shod feet, saying to With
ers: Jimmy, isn't it a shame not tc
go barefoot this fine hot weather."
. why not? No law against it'll
Withers answered bravely.
She shook her head signing re
signedly: you forget Bridgeway He
/, would die of shame for me-and
q really can't afford to kill my socia
g Conscience
o Bridgeway was the old black mar
Il who had met them at the house He
g was a reminder from her fathers
q time, and to him "M'ria-Susan'
g would always be a child. Indeed, sht
3, started almost guiltily when he ap
( peared upon the opposite creek bank
L making a trumpet of his lean hand,
70 and shouting: Eye better come to tn,
y house righten erway! Err pesky pill,
10 more men is thar waitin' ter cour
"a ye.''
'r Shall we go boldly and send then