Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1916-01-05


which nowadays they sometimes wore.
Il reckon 1t wouldn't hardly be hon.
est for me to come. I've told ye
don't think the thing will do no good"
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenched. Her beauty, with the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes. made
him feel like man whose thirst was
killing him and who gazed at a clear
spring beyond his reach-or, like the
caravan driver whose sight Is tortured
by mirage. He drew a long breath.
then added:
1--WE got another reason an Q
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time We wants me for
anything reckon We knows I'll come"
What is your reason?" she demand
ed.
81 amt never been much Interested
in any woman" He held her eyes SO
directly that a warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks, then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon-
cealed bitterness of heart: when
puts myself in the way of havin' to
love one, I'll pick woman that won't
have to be ashamed of me-some
mountain woman"
For an instant sac stared at him In
establishment, then she exclaimed:
Ashamed of you! I don't think any
woman would be ashamed of you, MI.
Havey," but. recognizing that her voice
had been overserioCs, she laughed, ana
once more her eyes danced with gay
mischief
Don't be afraid of me. I'll promise
not to make love to YOU"
I'm obleeged," he said slowly.
THAT amt what I'm skeered of. I'm
afraid We couldn't hardly stop me from
maxim love to you"
He paused, and the badinage left
her eyes.
"Mr. Havey," she said with great
seriousness, I'm glad you said that
1t gives US a chance to start honestlyt
as all true friendship should start. In
some things any woman is wiser than
any man. You won't fall in love with
me. You thought you were going to
hate me, but you don't"
God knows l don't" he fiercely in
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall in love with
me. You told me once Of your superior
age and wisdom, but in some things
YOU are still a boy. You are very
lonely boy, too-a boy with heart
hungry for companionship. You have
had friends only in books-comrade-
ship only in dreams. You have lived
down there III tat old prison of q
house with a sword of Damocles hang
ing always over your head. Because
we have been in way congenial, you
are mistaking our friendship for dam
ger of love-"
had gone past mere danger, and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
that he realized its hopelessness, but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do it, 1t would be pity. I'm
rather hungry, too. for friend;
but friend in my life. Can't we be
friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes, and
slowly the drawn look of gravity left
his face.
He had always thought quickly and
dared to face realities. He was now
facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
told him that it must always be Just
that way, and yet she had appealed to
him-she had said she needed his
friendship. To call it love would make
it necessary for her to decline 1t.
Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
to mean heartache, but if she want
ed his allegiance she might call IL
what she would. 1t was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
seal on his lips and play the part she
had assigned to him.
I'm right glad We said that" he an.
sured her. 81 reckon ye're right.
reckon we can go on fightin' and bein'
friends. Ye see, as said, didn't know
much about womenfolks, an because
liked We 1 was worried"
She nodded Understandings.
Suddenly he bent forward and his
words broke impetuously from his
lips.
do ye low to marry that man NAL
colm?" He came a step toward her,
then raising his hand swiftly, he add.
ed: "No-dont answer that question!
That's your business. 1 didn't have no
license to ask Besides. don't want
We to answer it"
cts bargain, isn't it?" she smiled.
whenever you get lonely over there
by yourself and find that Hamlet isn't
as lively a companion as you want,
or that Alexander the Great Is little
too fond of himself, or Napoleon Is
overmoody, come over here and we'll
try to cheer each other up"
Il reckon" he said with an answer
ing smile, I'm liable to feel that way
| tonight, but amt comm to learn civil
Ezation I'm lust comm to see you"