Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-08-09
THE R0MANCER
~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
BY MoLLIE MATTER

DON'T IL beat all, the way tie fell
lows 90 10 see herr And she's not
even good looking. in my opinion"
What surprises me-" Mrs. Tumkins
remarked, lis the way folks viii take
to stranger. Mrs. Lew Hampton
has her out often in her car. and never
any of Us Mrs. Tomkins' old neigh.
bOrs, asked to ride :"
Nettie Wells smiled. 1--WE don't
wear The stylish clothes this stranger
does" she said significantly.
Where did the girl come fromT
Phoebe wanted to know, "und is her
name Jewel Joyce, as they say2
Sounds made up To me-"
Miss Joyce seems real agreeable"
small woman timidly suggested. The
others laughed. $50 the men folks
think" they said.
The object of conversation passed on
her way. Miss Jewel Joyce was al
ways provokingly happy. Snubs an
noyed her not. nl-natured GOODNESS
passed unnoticed From an Office
stairway a young man sprang to walk
at her side.
Il saw you from the Office window"
he said.
Il ann on my way 20 meet the 6 80"
Jewel told him, and smiled.
The young mans bright expression
faded. "Say." he asked aggressively,
"how often is that man cosaing out
mere, anyway
"As often as he can" Jewel replied;
as an afterthought she added: (Which
MANI"
You'd better ask" Nettie Wells
brother sarcastlcally replied; folks
here are betting on which fellow comes
most"
Jewel Joyce stood still and stared
at her informer.
"You mean to tell me-" she indig-
nanHy cried. that the people here are
gossiping about mey"
"GosslpingF" Jim Wells laughed,
"the men in the stores are guessing as
10 which of those two men from the
city will be the winner, and the wOm-
en- say that neither of them is serious;
and my sister thinks you want me.
Gosh % added Jim, Il wish you did"
Jewel glanced at the boyish face Inn
patiently, then she laughed. ooh, Mr..
Wells" she said. please don't be fool
ish. So have come to a town Of TO-
mancers." Her pretty brows drew to
gether In frOwn. "Good-by"; she dis
missed her new admirer, abruptly.
The frown had disappeared when
she returned from the station. a tall,
pleasing man at her side. The men
In the store windows gaped, and the
little stranger returned their bows OF
greeting, flushing, remembering Jim's
conversation.
Queer one. that" a shrewd-looking
character remarked; saw her when
I was in the city, and she was at
movie theater with a different man
from them two what come out here
a thick-set, prosperous sort of looking
man. and" the speaker leaned close
10 his eager audience-"the man was
holding her hand all through the play.
She passed me going out, and smiled
as cool as you please. Knew I'd seen
her. too, all the time"
Lyn Wendell spoke up excitedly.
young chap, wasn't he7 Lightish hair,
actorish loOkingT'
The first speaker regarded Lyn with
interest. "what are you talking aboutf
The man in the theater was middle
aged maybe, dark hair acted as
though he owned the girl, engaged to
her. you'd think-and them other two'
coming out here all the time, both
having her steady attention, and
knowing nothing, I'll be bound, about
this bird in the theater."
Lyn Wendell shook his head. Prob
ably she's waiting 10 see which one
Is worth the most money. Our young
Jim here ought to be warned. She
might even marry Jim and spoil his
career nj the start. But what ! was
talking about was q fellow / saw this
level woman with In the city. Light
haired. young. She was driving with
him. and they stopped for gas at the
Mace | did. How do you dog she
saws TO me. MIR. Wendell, this is Mr.
Rruce'-Bruce was the name. Philip
l heard her call him, and he said
right out. Yes, dear"
Lyn Wendell, returning some days
later from his farm, passed an auto
mobile driven by the same light-haired
chan he remembered having seen IN
the city. The Jewel woman was by
his side.
How do you doT' she again greet
ed the astonished Ign; she stopped.
"This is my husband, Mr.. Bruce, MI.
wendell. We are driving out TO look
over the field of my half-brother's new
work. You have seen Mr.. Johnson my
half.brother. here with me often. He
Is n civil engineer. The shorter man.
whom you may also remember, Is my
husbands brother and Mr.. Johnson's
business associate"
Lvn. meeting the brides twinkling