Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-03-23

mud" he announced finally. "You re-
fused poor old Bill and broke his
heart. and so he went away and hasn't
had the courage to write me since. I'm
afraid Bin and I both regarded this
fight as practically won-all over but
the wedding march. as one might put
n. ! might as well confess | hustled
the hoy down from the mine just so
you two could get married and light
out on your honeymoon. l figured BIZ
could KIN two birds with one stone
have his honeymoon and get rid OF his
malaria. and return here In three or
four months 10 relieve me. after had
the mine in operation. Poor boy. That
was a frightful song-and-dance you
gave him"
Il suspected you were the match
maker In this case. I must say | think
you're old enough 10 know better, Ca
liph John"
"You did. chr Wei, what made you
think 500"
She chuckled. ooh. you're very OBJ
vious--to a woman"
Il forgot that you reveal the past
and foreter the future
"You are really vcfy clumsy. Cai'ph.
You should never try 10 direct the des-
tiny OF any woman"
am on the sick nst' he pleaded.
"and ~ isn't sporting OF yRu n discuss
me. You're healthy-so let MS discuss
You. Dolores. do YOU figure Bilrs case
20 be absolutely hOpeless?"
Absolutely Caliph.'
"Hum-m-m!"
Again Webster had recourse 10 med
itation. seeing which. Dolores walked
10 the pier glass in the corner. satisfied
herself that her couture was just so
and returned 10 his side. singing softly
n little song that had foated ont over
the transom Of Wehster's room door
into the hall one night:
A spanish cavalier
Went out 20 rope a steer,
Along with his paper cigar-r-roi
"Caramba!" said he.
''Manana you viii be
Mucho bueno carne por mio"
lie turned his head and looked up az
her suddenly, searchingly. us there
anybody else In Bits way?' he de-
manded. Il admit it's none of my
business. but"
eyes. Caliph. there is some one else"
II thought so" This rather vicious
". "Tm willing 10 gamble 100 10 l..
| sight unseen, that whoever he is, he
isn't half the man Bill IS"
THAT" she replied cOldly, sis mat
ter Of personal opinion"
"And Bits clock is fixed for keeps?'
"Yes. Caliph. And he never had a
chance from the start"
"why notg"
"well, l met the other man first, Ca
uph."
"Ohl DO you mind telling me what
this other man does for a livingf"
"He's a mining man. like Billy"
"All right Has the son OF horse
thief got mine like Bill's7 That's
something TO consider. Dolores"
"He has a mine fully as good as
Bnly's. Like Billy. he owns half
interest In IL, too"
"Hum-m-m. How long have you
known hlmI"
mot very long"
BE sure you're right-then go
ahead" John Stuart Webster warned
her. Don't marry in haste and repent
AZ leisure. Dolores. Know your man
before you let him buy the wedding
ring. There's a heap OF difference. my
dear. between sentiment and sentimen-
tally"
"rm sure Of my man. Caliph.
He was silent again, thinking rapid
". swell. OF course" he began again
presently. "whIle there was the slight
est possibility OF Bill winning you. !
would have died before saying that
which I am about TO say to you now,
/ Dolores. because Bill is my friend. and
I'd never double cross him. With ref
erence to this other man, however. |
have no such code tr consider. I'm
prettv well convinced I'm out OF the
running. but I'll give that lad a race II
it's the last act of my life. He's a
| stranger 10 me. and hc isn't on the job
10 protect his claim. so why shouldn't
I stake IL II can? But are you quite
certain you aren't making a grave mis-
take in refusing Billy? He's quite a
boy. my dear. I know him from soul
10 suspenders. and he'd be awfully
good 10 you. He's KIND and gentle
and conslderate. and he's not a molly
coddle. either"
II can't help II. Caliph. Please don't
talk about him any more. l know
somebody who IL kinder and nobler
and gentler." she ceased abruptly,
fearful OF breaking down her reserve
and saving too much.
"wen, II Bits case Is hopeless
his hand came cropping for hers. while
he held her with his searching. wistful
glaoce-'I wonder what mine looks
like. That is. Dolores. II"
''Yes. John"
1--WE played fair with my friend" he
whispered eagerly. "l'm not going 10
ask you 20 larry me. but I want 10