Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1917-08-08

''It's like your cheek" observed
Craven. 'Have you mentioned the
matter to Lydia?"
Certainly noti She's having too
good a time Women won't listen to a
gratuitous lover unless bored or ac-
lively unhappy"
"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
"Well, I wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut up. Besides, Mrs. Beggar-
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and is now busy-or about to
be-distributing handbills."
"Can't you shut her up?"
"The law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
I want her hushed. Pm not ashamed
of the fact, and if I let the Beggarstaff
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia, and
then-well, rouse a woman's curiosity,
and half your battles Won"
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
Thanks !"
'"Than QuOin, mean"
"Curse it!' said Peter, flushing.
"I'm in earnest, Tad"
81 believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien-
tific interest. 81 really believe you
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
so intolerably stupid when in love
with me-"
| Peter, by this time recovered, fixed
her with a reprOving glance. Uttered
in the presence of a third party" he
said severely, ISLANDER is actionable.
| Merely because didn't like to show
my distaste for your infatuated adj
vances, you take up with an emergen-
cy ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because I don't forbid the banns-
peevish childr'
"Just for that" said the woman,
'just for that, Peter, Pm going to
heap Goals of fire upon your migrate
rul head-and heaven knows I hope
| they'll scorch and blister"
"Marble?" Craven suggested with
open incredulity.
''Be quiet, Tad, and run an errand
for me, like a biddable child" Mrs.
Merrilees loosed the drawstring of
! lacework wristbag, took out a tiny
| pocketbook, and from this last extract
ed slip of paper. "Take that to the
purser and bring me what it calls for"
| With assumed reluctance Craven
heaved up from his place and rolled
forward, while his f1ancee Graded her
chin in her hand and regarded Peter
with whimsical smile.
"Quit it!'' he said GROSSLY. you
haven't got anything on me, you
know"
GLOW about the othersT
"Others? I never looked cross-eyed
at a girl before this"
"Peter!"
"Well, hardly ever. And, anyway,
from now on I'm going to wear sign
board here" He sketched the site
upon his waistcoat:
Private. No Thoroughfare. This means
you!
sit seems so funny-you" Laugh
ing quietly, the woman looked up to
review Lydia with a long glance.
"She's a dear GIRL" she observed.
"Promise never to call me mamma,
and I'll do my best for you.'
"What chance have l got, WIN
Ouoin making the pace? He's a regu-
lar fellow-rm only d drawing room
entertainer"
"He's a strange man," Mrs. Merrl-
lees unused. IF he hadn't taken UP
such an impossible profession
sDo you suppose he has case Id
hand now: aboard this vessel, ]
mean?'
"CaII him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grace
imaginable. "Quoin! 1 say, ADDISON
come over here a minute. A beautlful
ladv wants to ask you something.
In lower tone he added, You're the
hest little diplomat ever. I'll be CRATE
ful as long as I live" And rising WIFI
the sunniest of smiles, he drew W
chairs for Lydia and Quoin.
eyes. Mrs. Merrilees?" the detective
INQUIRED, taking the place at ner sue
"Peter and 1 have been blckerlns
obout Won" the lady fbbed brazeniy
"Are YOU. or are you not, wasting your
brilliant talents on my devoted trali!
ouoin looked puzzled. Something
on YOUR conscience?" he advanced ten
tatively. "You don't mean to Try any
smuggling this trip, I hope"
aT can't make up my mind. I'd love
to. Are you interestedT
"Only in your interests. be au
yised-don't"
"Why?" Mrs. Merrilees pouteo
ayvby NOT if. as Peter would say,