Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-05-12


established on the premises. and her
coming aud the circumstances Of her
advent constituted a good joke oe
which I and not she was the victim.
When | reached my quarters ia the
garage I sat down and laughed until
Flynn appeared. frightened by my
noisy mirth that had penetrated to his
quarters.
] Weakened early. rang a bell con-
Meeting my rooms with the chauf-
ieur's end Of the garage as a warn
ing 10 the F'lynns To prepare break
fast. and was dressed when the Irish
man came In with the tray. In the
absence Of morning paper | cluas
To him for company.
II trust you viii not be leaving.
sorr." he remarked. cycling my half
packed trunk.
'Nery soon. Flynn"
Then Elsie and I will nc going
too. sorr. It's most uncomfortable
they're making us-Dutch and the
rest. That Antoine and his army
keep nesterin' us and calm Us Huns.
Its most disagreeable we fnd Il,
the wife and me-"
suffer and be strong-that's the
watchword, We viii hope that Mrs.
Bashford is woman OF sound sense
and tact who win exert herself 10
restore peace on her property. When
l call 10 pay my respects and make
my adieus I slall speak TO her o. the
situation and vOJch for your loyalty.
You haven't. suppose. seen the widow
yet-she's probably sleeping late"
"Quite the contrary. sorr. She's
been up and around for an hour an
more She's been all over the place
and stopped for squinr at the garage.
her and the pup"
"She been here. inspecting the
garage?" asked. CHANGING at my
watch. II was not yet eight O'Clock.
The banter died ont Of me; clearly IL
had been my duty 10 be on hand 10
pilot her over the estate. or at least
10 receive her AT the garage. "Just
what was the lady's frame of mind
as to things generally. Peeved. was
she. over the row last nlght?"
"Oh. no. sorr; quite cheerful an
friendly. She's ordered a big car
from New YORK and told me II would
be coming M to-day and TO make q
place for t."
Here was news indeed. destroying
all my hopes that she meditated only
n brief sojOurn. The purchase OF
machine meant definitely that she
would remain for some time. pcrssps
for the winter. I poured a second cup
OF coffee. swallowed II. grabbed my hat
and stick. and asked enlightenment
as 10 the course taken by Mrs. BASH
ford when she left the garage.
"She took the lower road. sorr,
toward the Sound and stepped of
quite brisk-like."
II was the serenest OF September
mornings. and | hurried away. think
Ing the clOudleSs blue arch. the
twinkling sea. and the crisp air might
serve 10 soften my aunt's displeasure
az her hostile reception. From the
conservatories 7 caught a glimpse Of
woman on the beach-a slender.
agile woman. throwing a bali for the
amusement Of a foy.terrier. The two
were having no end of a good time.
She laughed iOyfully when the bail
fell into her hands and the terrier
harked his discontinue and eager
ness for chance To redeem himself.
AntOine'S equivocal statement as TO
Mrs. Bashford's age was ridiculous.
Instead Of the middle-aged woman
whom was prepared to meet. here
was beyond question vigorous.
healthy being whose every movement
spoke for youth and the JOY of life.
IL might. after all, be the maid OF
whom Antoine had spoken. reached
a low stone wall that separated the
lawn from the beach just as she
effected a running pickup Of the ball.
She turned swiftly and flung IL straight
at my head. Invountarily put up
my hand and caught IL just as she
saw me and cried Out-a cry of warn
AAA~ hAh NNuAlAAAois AooStu tire OdtA
10 the dog.
what must you think Of me-" she
exclaimed. II was blinded By the
sunlight and didn't see you-really
l did not!'
II had no business being In the
way" | laughed. noting first her
glowing color. her violet eyes
amazingly fine eyes they were-her
fair hair with its golden CLINT, her
plain black gown with lawn collar
and wristbands. Ii was her age. how
ever. that reused me TO instant spec
ulation. Twenty-Five. decided, was
maximum; more likely she was not
more than twenty-five. and IL l had
been told that eighteen was the total
Of her years l shouldn't have had the
heart 10 dispute IL.
Bob Singleton" said and stupidity
added. and you are Mrs. Bashford?"
unable for the life of me TO avoid
turning the statement into an inquiry.
81 .wo x~nv- amt AIfrou che Safd