The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-10-12
THE TROUT SEASON
8..- q . . . n = q N = n = - n n = = - - - n ~
g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
BY JEAN M. GRAY

|
married almost year when Mr.. Bill,
brought home the invitation from hi!
big and genial boss to spend two
weeks with him at his camp in the
Adirondacks. Little Mrs. Billy almos
wept with delight, although she hatet
40 leave their pretty little apartment
IAN anniversary honeymoon" she
told her husband.
"And a raise, with membership In
view." he returned. 1--WE must make 8
success of 1t, honey, for Pm pretty
sure our whole future depends on these
two weeks. MIR. Henry's bug on fish
ing, so he and l will hit II off all
right, and If anyone could help loving
you"
After the ecstasies and the packing
and the trip, the visit started auspi-
ciously, and continued so for week
and alf. Mrs. Henry and Jack and
Jill, the incorrigibe seventeen-year-
old Henry twins, took Honey to their
| hearts at once. and Billy and Mrs
| Henry waded miles of brook for trout
| and bass and came back to the camp
tired. content. and empty-handed.
| Got to. go down to the village with
this letter, Honey"
mot in this downpour. Billy"
"Sillyl It's important, and Mr..
Henry wants 1t to go at once. met
Jack and Jill just coming in, soaked
from head to foot. They're going to
have corn pop and promised to wait
till got back. Doesn't that sound
good2"
"Yes, but--oh, run along, I'm going
to have nap till you get back, cause
I'm sleepy, sleepy. slee-ee-py." She
nearly yawned a big. impollte yawn.
Billy hugged her, and hurried off.
Honey tugged the screen around the
couch, disappeared behind it. and
snuggled down by the leaping fire.
Some time later she woke to the
sound of voices, one irritated and fret.
full, the other soothing.
but, dear" the soother was say
ing.
81 know, know" the irritated voice
of Mr.. Henry answered his wife, "you
are going to tell me it's my own fault,
but how the-but how could know
II was going to be like this? Usu-
ally when we've been up here at this
time of the year everything's been fine
but"
Honey, an unwilling eavesdropper
held her breath. What could he mean? +?
Mrs. Henry was speaking.
Surely. dear, you can afford to
be magnanimous, and forget that these
two weeks haven't been all that you
expected"
She was laughing at him, and he,
as always when she laughed at him.
forgot his crouch and laughed rue
fully.
you're an angel Clare" he told
her, "but this blaiEed trout season has
got me- Let's go and see If Bill is in
sight yet"
Honey lay covering among the pill
lows. This blamed trout season This
blamed trout season. !" 1t beat into her
brain. Then she had failed. after ull.
and Billy's life was ruined. Their
visit was not a success, but miser
able failure, and it was her fault
Poor Billy, 1t meant so much to him
and she had spoiled 1t all. Tears
rolled down her cheeks. What had
she done? Why? Why? She would
go to Mr.. Henry and ask, and tell him
that II was her fault. Billy must have
his raise.
She staggered to her feet, pushed
aside the screen and stared at Billy,
still in his dripping oil-skins.
"Why, sweetheart" he began, and
the storm broke, rivaling the one rag
ing out-of-doors On his breast Honey
painted out her story. and Billy, at
first inclined to laugh at her, grew
serious and then alarmed. This thing
meant so much to Honey, and If he
had done anything to queer it, he'd
straighten II out Or
"There. there" he said lightly, don't
cry, Honey. You're just silly little
girl. He didn't mean anything. It's
just your Imagination. Too vivid
He wants to see ME now, just as soon
as get off my coat. and everythlngll
be all right"
"But he said: "Thls bl-blamed trout
season."
swell, but" Billy was worried him
self. Honey, listen, I'm going to see
Mr.. Henry now. Battle your eyes and
wait for me here and then Wen see
what's to be done. Will you, HoneyT'
Honey went off with her tears and
troubled soul. and Billy squared his
shoulders and marched into Mr.. |
Henry's den. Honey came beck tear |
less, and waited. still companloned by
that same troubled soul. And then |
when she could bear II no longer, Billy !
shot out OF Mr.. Henry's den. hugged |
her. kissed her. and sat upon the
couch and held her on his knee. He
laughed and laughed until Honey was
ready to burst into tears again.
dearest" he gasped, you dear
silly little kid Mr.. Henry's crazy
about u.s. You're sitting on the knees