Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-06-12

Of him. Working steadily forward,
Kilmeny found himself gaining on the
other. In order not to pass too near
he struck out into the deeper water
toward the center OF the river. When
almost opposite the other he heard q
splash not twenty feet away. followed
by the whirr of the reel as the trout
made for the deep water. From the
shadows where his unknown compan-
ion was obscured came the click Of
the line being wound up. There was
flash OF silver I'm the moonlight. and
again the rapid whiri Of the reel.
you've hooked a whale. neighbor."
Kilmeny called across.
The voice that came back to him
across the water was eager and glad.
Jack would have known It's throb OF
youthful rest among a thousand.
Must I let him have all the line he
wanfsf'
Kilmeny waded toward her as he
gave counsel. Don't make II too easy
for him, but don't jerk. Keep his
nose up II you can"
The trout fought gnmely and strong
ly, but the young woman stuck to her
work and would not give him any rest.
Jack watched her carefully. He saw
that she was firing. but he did not
offer any help, for he knew that she
was a sportsman. She would want to
win alone or not at all.
Yet he moved closer. The water
was up TO her hips, and no river In
the Rockies has q swifter current
than the Gunnison. The bottom, too.
Is covered with smooth slippery stones
and powders. so that mistep might
send her plunging down. Deprived OF
the use OF her landing pole, she could
make less resistance to the tug of the
stream. and the four or Ave pounds of
dynamic energy Mt the end OF her line
would give her all she could do to
take care OF for the next few minutes.
Her pole was brsced against her body,
which made reellng dlfficult The man
beside her observed that except for a
tendency to raise the pole too much
she was playing her trout like vet
eran.
The thing that he had anticipated
happened. Her foot slipped from Its
Insecure rock hold and she stumbled.
His arm was round her waist In an In
slant.
"Steadyi Take your time"
Thanks. I'm all right now"
His right arm still girdled her slight
figure. The trout was firing. Inch
by inch she brought him nearer. Pres
emily she painted, MY landing net"
II was caught In the creel. Kilmeny
unfastened the net and brought II
round where II would be ready for In
slant use.
"Tell me what I must do now"
Hes hooked pretty fast. Take
your time about getting him into your
net. and be careful then. These big
fellows IRE likely to squirm away"
II was ticklish moment when she
let 20 OF the rod with her left hand
TO slip the net under the trout. but
she negotiated II In safety.
isn't he whopper'" she cried In
delight. "He won't 10 into the creel
ut ALL"
"rhen let me have him. The glory
Is yours. I'll be your gillie to carry
the game bag"
He got his fingers through Its gin
before he took the hook from the
mouth OF the fish. Carrying the trout
In one hand and his pole In the other,
he waded slowly through the swift
water 10 the shore.
The girls vibrant voice came 10 him
as she splashed at his heels toward
the bank. He's such ripping good
one I'm so pleased How much do
you think he win weighf"
my guess is six pounds. He's the
biggest taken this year so far I con-
graduate you. Miss Dwight"
II would never hsve got him II you
hadn't been there TO help me with ad-
vice. But really did Il all myself,
didn't II II you had touched the rod
before had him Melted I'd never have
forgiven you," she confessed, eyes
glowing with the Joy Of her achieve
ment.
"Iss no Joke to land one OF these big
fellows. saw you were tired. Hut
IT'S the sporting thing to play your
own fish,"
Her dark eyes flashed questioning
glance at him. she had been brought
up In society where class lines were
closely drawn. but her experience
gave her no data for Judging this
young mans social standing. Casual
inquiries Of old Ballard. the caretaker
AZ the Lodge. had brought her the In
formation that the party OF fishermen
were miners from the hills. This one
went by the name Of Crumbs and
sometimes Jack. What puzzled Miss
Dwight was the difiiculty Of reconcil.
ing him with himself. Sometimes he
used the speech and the slow drawl
Of the plainsman. and again he spoke
with the correctness Of one who has
known good society. In spite Of his
careless garb he had the look Of class
A young woman Of impulse. she
yielded to an audacioas one now. I'm
glad you let me do the sporting thing
Mr.-Crumhs"
His gentle laughter welied out
.where did you get thatr
.Isnt n your namer she asked