The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1919-01-06
IN THE ROUGH
BY JACK LAYTON,
OOOOS
Copyright. 1918, Western Newspaper Union.)

The great stone house back from
the beach had long been known as q
select Lakeside boarding place. Its
mistress, daughter of the man who
had in fortunate circumstances built
the imposing residence for his summer
home, was to be relied upon as bring
ing together only congenial people.
Many fashionable as well as staidly
respectable city folk felt free to send
their daughters unattended to Mrs.
Van Rensaler's for the summer.
Very exacting were Mrs. Van Rensa-
ler's summer people in their unspoken
rules Of social convention; and one
evening when the women in their ex-
quisite organdies, and the men in the
proper attire Of the hour, were gath
cred upon the veranda, the stranger
who scorned both rule and convention
arrived.
In the full light Of the setting sun,
his coarseness Of face and feature
were plainly visible. "Repulsive crea-
ture," was what Dolly Flanders called
him, and she was not far from right.
Without waiting to change his
stained tweed suit, the stranger seated
himself in apparent brazen confidence
opposite Dolly Flanders and her moth
er. That acknowledged social leader
observing in disguised silence the
mans detached absorption to his meal,
arose and went forth presently to inter-
view Mrs. Van Rensaler at the Office.
With her usual dignity and with
more than her usual reserve, the mis-
tress of Stone House, refused to dis
cuss her new guest. Moreover, indig-
nant protest had no effect.
"Mr. Carson would be there for the
rest of the season." she announced,
''he had come with her full permits
SION"
When later, the stranger settled
himself in an isolated corner Of the
veranda to smoke his pipe, general in
dignation grew.
It had to be admitted that the man
knew his place. Though he continued
stained loose-collared woolens, mel.
Their by word or look did he seek COM
partnership or favor.
Once when Dolly Flanders saddle
horse reared and became unmanage-
able at the mount, the SCARED stran-
ger went quietly to her assistance, but
at her grudging "Thank you," he failed
to raise his hat.
might be burglar, Judging by ap-
pearances," she said to her escort.
Each morning the stranger left the
hotel to go to work; returning at noon
from the direction Of the factories
across the bridge, dirtier, more stained
than ever.
Mrs. Flanders was disguised anew
at the condition Of the mans hands.
Mrs. Van Rensa1er had been unaccom-
modating in not placing a separate
table. Then one evening when the
favored few were indulging In corn
roast on the beach, Mrs. Van Rensaler
added to the chagrin by a new an
nouncement.
"Mrs. Carson Is coming to join her
husband tomorrow" she said, and smil-
Ing serenely passed out from the pres
ence Of her guests before they could
voice their outraged feelings.
"Was not the man impossible
enough" they complained, without
forcing among them the sort Of crea-
ture his wife was sure to be? What
had happened to Mrs. Van Rensselaer,"
And in the sunshine Of the morn
ing came the beautiful young woman
of charming personality.
"Who Is she? the women whispered
wonderingly.
Again Mrs. Van Rensaler smiled.
'.That," she replied, "is Mr.. Carson's
wife,"
"It could not be possible" the guests
said among themselves, but down the
path at noon the beautiful one went
to meet the red faced man, coming
back with him, smiling happily into his
lined face. At table she sat, dressed
irreproachably and In most becoming
fashion; before the meal was ended,
Mrs. Flanders found herself convers-
ing not only with the newcomer but
with her heretofore silent husband as