Show X I 1 LADY OF THE LAKE N X by M WILLIAMS N like the grass the shrubbery was an clipped long trails grew as nature willed from the vines but there was no touch of decay or poverty in the house proper gay cushions upon the piazza lawn rug spread between garden garde r chairs litter ot of new books doors stood hospitably wide but there was no sign of life not even after withers had knocked with unusual vigor but presently an old negro peered cautiously around the corner of the house stared at them hard bard a minute and then shrilled out in the high pitched tone of the stone deaf fo ao use yer baitin foont see miss susan much tore fore sundown sheve turned plumb foolish an the hull bull kit an bilin sheve got yere off ter the crick an the swim swimming min ln liole hole with mith fish poles an dinner baskets an sich 11 good well follow being fishermen of degree withers proposed gayly slipping silver in the old lean hand davis davia hesitated sure well be welcome he asked 1 I confess the swimming swim min hole bole tempts but suppose we find it occupied here the men found her the lady ot of the lake As the car stopped at the very waters naters edge they saw het her spas splashing I 1 ahng i showers upon the heads of three small boys gurgling and panting in the nearest shallow beyond five young girls swam laboriously almost painfully in ward of 0 three strapping lads A young man and maiden lounged upon a blanket spread bank and made a brave show at fishing the lady of the lake greeted withers cordially and acknowledged davis presentation with an easy unconcern that robbed the situation of all awkwardness ward ness 1 I do wish you could come in she declared heartily waving her hand toward the enticing water ot of course you can fish you might even wade or dangle your feet in water but dont please disturb them waving toward the pair piscatorial fal it would be cruelty to children besides what Is one nice girl among so many come out yourself cant we persuade you withers entreated she laughed softly saying 1 I will it if you will help me in the closing game tell us how h owl wre were your accomplices withers shot back she looked at the timorous small boys saying reflectively 1 I know they could swim it if they had to and have to it they were pitched in here beside me heels over head here they come catch with ers shouted wading out and seizing the smallest youngster to swing him deftly into the swim swimming min hole down went the tha child to come up spluttering splutter ing but laughing within a yard of mrs elliot who drew away saying firmly N now tor for it tommy swim tommy swam the plunge had washed away his I 1 is cowardice he even patronized ned the next to be tossed billy who ho had bulldog jaw wriggled wrig glei and kicked no nc these are not slum children just tots she picks up and invites here far a month or a fortnight withers explained schoolboys too you see the big fellows and girls mighty decent of her ber it if she is an accomplished flirt davis returned his eyes fast upon the deserted cabin that served as bath house almost as he ha looked the small girls swarmed from one door of it the lads and small boys from the other and right upon their heels came tile the lady of the lake glowing and happy tendrils of wet hair clinging to her forehead her eyes dewy dark yet lucent her thin blue frock quaker plain came modestly high at the tha throat but had bad sleeves short enouf enough a to reveal arms of admirable taper and softness she sha looked down plaintively aji a t her isaiall well shod feet saying saving to with ers jimmy it a shame not to go barefoot this fine hot weather why not no law against iti withers answered bravely she shook her head sighing resignedly sign edly you forget bridgeway he would die of shame for me and I 1 really cant afford to kill my social conscience bridgeway Uridge Dridge way wey was the old black man who had met them at the house bouse he was a reminder from her fathers thera ta time and to him susan would always be a child indeed she started almost guiltily when he appeared upon the opposite creek bank making a trumpet of his lean hands and shouting ye better come to tho the house housa erway er pesky pile more men la Is waltin ter court Y ye 1 shall we go boldly and send them about their business davis asked wondering at himself tor for his presumption in response he got a beautiful sidelong upward glance and a very soft binol N nol I 1 rather like ilka to hear what people have to say this was the beginning the end came two weeks later when davis more madly in ia lovo love than ever he had dreamed he ha could me asked her to marry him asked it also as diffidently as though he had bad not seen the world with her kindliest kind liest smile she told him frankly that she had promised withers that she would marry him should she ever mako make up her mind to take a second husband copyright 1916 1915 by the mcclure per syndicate |