Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-07-18
The
Four Ethels
ByLURA LEE
copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union

''YOu see, it is matter Of four
Ethels," spoke she of that name, Miss
Hoyt, land, all attendants at the same
seminary, we naturally flocked tOgeth-
er. In fact we formed little circle
of our own and now, after happy
school days gone forever, we still keep
in close contact The four of us would
have been here today instead of only
| three, had it not been that one of the
quartet had married since our last re-
union
You mean my sister" spoke Rod-
ney Bayrd "She told me to tell you
she was very happy"
"Of course. we are glad OF that,
continued Ethel HOyt. "and there is
compensation in your sister sending
two desirable ENJOYS to help us put
through two weeks of our summering
yourself and Mr.. Dale. Did your
sister tell you that I was to take
charge Of yOu?"
81 hope So" replied Rodney, return
ing with interest the mischievous
| glance of his young hostess. ut seems
quite delightful to feel that fellow
has a guardian angel, you know
"ChaperOn, scOld and busybOdy-
that more applies" declared Miss
Hoyt 81 always was the practical
one of the quartet. Now there is your
sister, the glowing radiance of ethereal
loneliness. Ethel Ward is all music.
Ethel Morse is literary"
| will
Rodney. ''He dotes on poetry and that
stuff"
"Stuff! the word is horrid. Yes, l
shall encourage Miss Morse and Mr.
Dale. AS to yourself, your sister tod
me to see if I couldn't send you back
with something in life to interest you
outside of fishing and tennis"
"You are likely to do So" advised
Rodney, and the bantering raillery mo-
mentarily subsidized For the moment
Miss Hoyt wondered if she had met
her match, but she continued.
$50 you are awarded Miss Ward"
"But don't care for music" he in
sisted
''What is your prediction, then"
| questioned Miss HOYt.
Mature" announced Warren with
absurd emphasis "Give me girl
I mean companion-pal-"
shocking! Girls can't be pals"
avowed Miss HOyt in a Mortified way.
"Oh, yes, they can," persisted War
rem.
A charming girl and q clever tacti-
clan, so Ethel Hoyt settled the mat
ter. The two intelligent, courteous
young men accepted the ruling.
"Tm through !" Dale observed at the
end of week in a tone purposely
made desperate.
"You mean"
''Miss Ethel Morse, why, with her
lackadaiscal ways, her practical quo
tatiOns and sense of total proprietor
ship of your humble servant. / shall go
rank stark mad if I do not escape.
"Your younger sister, Florence, want
ed to have me go out into the world
and try myself out with other atoms
Of l0veliness.
my sister Florence?" repeated Rod
ney surprisedly. $50 you are interest
ed in that direction. Are you two en-
gagged"
eve will be if she will consent" re-
piled Warren decisively. "I'm going
back purposely to find OUT
"And leave me to the mercies Of
Miss Ethel Wards sOnatas and Oper-
attic experimental" grOaned Rodney.
"False friend heartless and reprobate
| traitOr!'
There was only a week left Of the
vacation. however, and because he
would be near Miss Hoyt Rodney de-
termined to endure the ordeal. One
day the two other .Ethels were absent
at q musicale and he passed three
whole delightful hours with Ethel
Hoyt. The very last day of his sOjourn
Rodney wandered dlscOnsOlately down
the river shore.
He sat on a boulder and aimlessly
switched the bushes with his cane.
| Then he began tracing name in the
smooth sand, "E-T-H-E-L."
| Ten feet up, entirely by chance or
mischance, his charming hostess had
| bestowed herself in bushy nook with
| a magazine She had Analysed GER
tain gloom on the face Of the young
man which interested her. Then as
he traced that name her eyes brighten
ed with suspense. Was he about to
write the name Of his hearts choice!
She bent dangerously past the limit OF
safety and eagerly followed the fur
Their tracings Of the cane Then she
gasped and crimsoned, for the COM
pleted chronicle read "E-T-H-E-L
H-O-Y-T"
"A sudden cry startled Rodney and
he sprang to his feet, alert. Miss
Hovt had leaned too far over Her
dropping form parted the vines and he
caught her in his arms. Her face was
tell-tale and his soul awoke.
eff / dared, l would hold you here
forever!' he whispered. 'It wouldn't
be half as audacious as what l am go