Judge — January 19, 1907 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

that I would stick it out. As long as I was there I would make the most of it. I would go my own way and have the best time I could. It isn’t my nature to mope, and I set my teeth together and swore that I wouldn't let the prettiest and sweetest girl I had ever known get the best of me for the sake of two human fashion-plates. I got up the boatman and told him to get me a canoe. I heard voices. «Oh, Jack !" exclaimed Helen, «I've been looking for you everywhere. What are you going to do?" “I'm going out on the lake,” I re- plied doggedly. ++ What ! at night?” “Yes.” ++ How jolly !" exclaimed the voice of Mr. Pollard. “Delightful!” cried Mr. Bertrand. “+ Let's make up a party," said Helen. «Come, Jack; take us all. You row so splendidly !" They piled in, and, there being no help for it, went along. ‘The next morning I determined, how- ever, to circumvent them. As long as I couldn't have Heten alone I would get along by myself. Besides, I was full of rage to think Helen would permit such things. Evidently it was all off between us, in spite of what she had given me to understand in the days gone by. I got up early and, having fortu- nately brought along my pack-basket, determined to start out on a long tramp. The cook of the inn provided me with a steak, “potatoes, a broiling-iron, and other accessories, and I had just packed them in the basket, put the straps over my shoulders, and was starting off, when I heard a cry from one of the upper windows. Oh, Jack!" It.was Helen's voice. She had seen me from her room. «« Wait a moment and I'll be down.” Of course I had to wait. There was nothing else to do. +s Where are you going ?”" she demanded as, almost breathless in the hurry of dressing, she came out from the porch. **On a tramp—all day.” +L thought you came up here to see me.” + You are otherwise occupied.” “Oh, Jack, now, please!” I readjusted the basket. +* Good-bye !" I said, and started off. + Jack, you don't understand, More voices. Pollard and Bertrand, dressed in golf-clothes, suddenly appeared. «+ Be nice to them, for my sake," whispered Helen, Once more I dropped the basket. “Off on a tramp?” asked Pollard, sI nodded. * « How jolly ! you going, Miss Heten “+ Lwasn't asked,” said Helen with a pout. + You know,” I said, ++ you could come along. if you wanted to.” Helen suddenly laughed and her face light- ed up. ++ Let's all go!" she exclaimed. ** We'll make up a party. I'll get a chaperon, Come, Mr. Pollard; you help Mr. Castleton repack his bas- ket—for of course we'll need more things.” «Won't it be fun!” cried Pollard. «Simply grand !" exclaimed Bertrand. It was no particular fun for me to cook the dinner for two such chappies as these, but I got even with them by making them wash dishes, though I am bound to say they made no objection. That night we were all tired and went to bed early. But I woke up at midnight, and, thinking it all over, and Helen's cruelty, I made up my mind to give the affair up. The next morning I made my arrangements to leave on the first train, Just then r— ‘exclaimed Bertrand. + Were “No, child “No; I'm not. “| Where are you going?" she demanded."* one day we ran over a man, and I know just how it’s done.” Ttook an early breakfast; then I started down to the lake for a last look. On the way back I came face to face with Helen, She be- trayed anxiety. “I've been looking for you everywhere !" she cried. Surely this § not true—you are not going? The clerk told m seYes, Lam.” ‘There was a rustic seat in a by-path, and we both sat down. You've been horrid to me, ever since you came. said Helen, You havent” “Thaven’t been any worse to you than you have been to me,” I replied. Helen began to cry softly. “You told me once,” she said, + that—that you loved me.” “1 do," I replied. Twas beginning to feel rather queer myself. Of course I love you, Helen,” I said. I had’ to put my arm around ler then. It seemed the most natural thing to do. ++ Haven't I toll you I loved you?" I went on, + Haven't I said that you were the only girl I ever thought about? Didn't I come two hundred miles so I could be with you? And when I got here what did I find? That I couldn't even get near you.” Helen looked up and smiled through her tears, +Don't you understand, Jack, dear? she said. “I wanted to tell you before, but” She blushed. “No,” I replied bluntly; +1 don't understand. What is it?) Why do you tolerate those—those ” Words failed me. “Why, because they are so smart looking and handsome, and have such perfect manners, Only, Jack, dear, from the way you have been treating me, I was almost afraid that it really wasn’t going to be necessary to cultivate them.” + Necessary !" I repeated. What do you mean? Explain your- self.” “Why, Jack,” replied Helen, “have, you or can you have, the faintest, remotest idea of how hard it is to get good-looking ushers nowadays? Look at Bessie Billings's wedding. What awful-looking things she had, And don’t you see, Jack, dear, why I want to kee}! on good terms with Mr, Pollard and Mr, Bertrand ?” Then I understood. FIGHTING with a woman is wasted time. sana eal INITIATED. “Grandpa. will you buy me an automobile? You are too young to run an auto.” Ihave been with Cousin Will in his auto and watched how he runs it, and comicbooks.com