Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-02-12
TWO In A BOAT
BY LULU M. PAULEY,


gone, and Wen be gone, too"
Yes" nodded Bob; cit seems such
a short time since-and what a heap
or nice girls" He broke off abrupt
~ and headed the boat towards the
willows.
Lydia looked sweetly sympathetic.
Tell me about them," she urged. 9Th.
heap of nice girls"
I'D rather you'd tell your story
nrst," returned Bob, half wistfully.
She glanced at him demurely. "All
right" she replied, good-naturedly, and
began:
i came down here the first week
IN June and met you for the second
time since our schooldays. We be-
came engaged, but the engagement was
conditional. That is, if either of us
met some one else whom we liked bet
ter, we were at liberty to do as we
/ pleased, in case we let each other
KNOW" She paused impressively and
struck at the water with her long,
white fingers. "It was your idea, and
contained not the slightest opening for
one of those interesting breach-of-
promise SUITS"
Bob flushed but said nothing.
1.-The next one to propose" she con-
tinued, "was Mr.. Hillary, who owns
that splendid yacht down at the har-
Dor. Then came Mr.. Meridian, Charlie
D1bble, Victor and that dear, fat COL
lege boy, Percy Downey. I refused
Percy, Of course. He was deadly in
earnest and / was afraid when he
should find I was only a summer girl
he might do something unpleasant.
Girls should avoid the man who has
not lived long enough in this world to
understand its ways"
little philosopher" applauded Bob.
I'm not very wordly-wise; aren't you
afraid I'll make a fuss?"
Lydia shook her fluffy head. "YOu
made the conditions of our engage
ment, so you ought not to make
fuss"
Never" breathed Bob, quickly; "Tll
not do that. Pray continue your de-
delightfully."- interesting tale" and he
splashed the water spitefully with the
oars.
''The last was Mr. Harper,s who
boards at Elm cottage"
AT the mention of Mr.. Harper, Bob
burst into an uncomfortable fit Of
laughter and made the boat rock vio-
lently.
"Stop Immediately cried the girl;
you'll upset the boat"
II have two engagement rings" she
retorted. zone is yours. You may
have it now if you WISH
He silently lighted a cigarette.
you'll need it for one Of those nice
girls you've met" she suggested quiet
ly. "Do know her?"
81 believe you do" His tones we're
curt.
II think" he remarked coldly, turn
ing the boat out into midstream, "that
we had better be going back to the ho-
tel. The sun is already set and there
is no moon tonight"
"Why, Mr. Porter" she cried, "there
was beautiful moon last night, so, Of
course, there must be another tonight.
Mr. Morton and / sat out for a long
time last evening admiring it,"
II suppose he is the fellow you are
going to marry" Bob growled. 81 re-
member seeing him about the hotel.
Sort of sissy, is he not? One Of
20
talk to the girls. I know how"
"Oh aren't you horrid?" laughed
Lydia. 81 think Mr.. Morton is very
nice, indeed"
"And quite ladylike, too," Bob slight
ingly added.
you're not obliged to like him."
flashed Lydia.
Certainly not. I say Lydia, Pm go
Do you carer"
'Is that 500" Her tone was banter
ing. "HOw disappointed the heap Of
nice girls will be- Such bright, eligi-
BILE young man."
Bobs tanned face burned redly and
he gave his full attention to the oars.
II suppose it's the other girl whom
you are going to see," she remarked
thoughtfully. "How glad she'll bel"
deuce take the other girl !" broke
from Bob's lips impatiently. Lydia,
don't you care the least little bit?"
Lydia's pink cheeks grew shade
deeper and her blue eyes twinkled
brightly. 81 wish you would explain"
she said, provokingly; II really do not
understand you"
Bob ceased rowing and gazed at her
long and steadily. Then he turned his
gaze thoughtfully across the river.
"Arne't we going in?" she pettishly
asked.
Bob turned his face to her with
glow Of determination in his clear,
brown eyes.
'I'll tell you the name of the girl l
love, if you will tell me the name OF
the chan you're going to marry" he