The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 2

"I was in Paris on a little business," replied the young man, "and I thought I wouldn't go away without paying my respects to you and your father."

At the house Mr. Willing greeted the young man warmly, for, from previous meetings, he had taken a liking to d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k Stanley was a native of Cincinnati, O. He was without parents, and after having met Shirley under exciting circ.u.mstances, he had given up a rough set of companions and at length had obtained a place as office boy on one of the big Louisville newspapers. But d.i.c.k had not remained an office boy long, and he was now one of the most competent and best liked reporters on the paper.

He had been sent to Paris for a certain piece of news-"on a story," in his words, the words of the newspaper world-and he had just completed his work successfully. Therefore he had hired a horse and come to the Willing farm for a few words with his friends before going back to Louisville.

"I'm glad to see you, young man," said Mr. Willing in greeting. "It has been some time since we have had the pleasure of your company."

"Thank you, sir," was the reply. "I am always glad to be here."

He shook hands with Mr. Ashton and Mabel.

Now Shirley proceeded to tell him of the trip they were going to take, and d.i.c.k was greatly interested.

"I should like to see the ca.n.a.l," he said. "I have been reading quite a bit about it, and it is very interesting."

"You are right, young man," agreed Mr. Willing.

"It is one of the wonders of the world." He paused, struck by a sudden idea. Then he said slowly, looking squarely at d.i.c.k:

"How would you like to go with us?"

"I'd like it fine," declared d.i.c.k, with a smile. "I wish it could be done."

"Well, it can be done," said Mr. Willing quietly.

d.i.c.k, as well as Shirley and Mabel, looked at Mr. Willing in surprise.

"Dad!" exclaimed Shirley. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I say," was the reply. "I am going to take d.i.c.k with us."

d.i.c.k shook his head slowly.

"I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Willing," he said quietly, "but I cannot accept such generosity."

"Can't, eh?" bl.u.s.tered Mr. Willing, "and why not, I'd like to know. I am not in the habit of having my invitations refused, sir!"

Again d.i.c.k smiled.

"It is very kind of you to ask me," he said, "but I do not feel that I should accept. Of course, I have the money for the trip, but I do not feel I can afford to spend it. Besides, I could not leave the paper for so long a time."

"Couldn't leave the paper!" echoed Mr. Willing.

"I'll speak a few words to my friend Col. Harperson, the owner, and he will see that you are given an indefinite vacation."

"No, sir, thank you, I don't think it can be done."

"I'll tell you," said Mr. Willing, trying a new line, for he had made up his mind to have d.i.c.k accompany them, "you will be able to do some writing on the trip. The sights you will see should mean money to you.

You should be able to write many interesting articles when you get back."

d.i.c.k apparently was impressed with this line of reasoning. And now Shirley added her voice to the colonel's.

"Please, come, d.i.c.k?" she said.

"Well," said the young man after hesitating a long while, "I'll tell you what I'll do. If I can make arrangements to get off indefinitely, I'll go."

Shirley clapped her hands.

"I'm sure you can," she cried.

And Mr. Willing muttered to himself:

"I'll fix it with Harperson!"

The discussion of the trip now became general, and d.i.c.k was acquainted with the time they expected to depart.

"You will remain here over night, of course," said Mr. Willing.

"Thank you, sir, I shall be glad to."

"Then we'll put off our shopping till to-morrow, Mabel," said Shirley.

All day the three young people talked eagerly of the coming trip, and Shirley tried to get d.i.c.k to promise that he would go, whether he was able to get off or not. But this d.i.c.k would not do.

"If they agree to let me off, all right," was his decision.

They sat up and talked till late that night, but Mr. Willing finally put an end to this conversation.

"Shirley," he said severely, "are you going to keep that young man talking all night? How do you expect him to catch the early train in the morning?"

"Well, I would have gone any time he told me," pouted Shirley.

"I don't suppose he would have told you if you had kept him talking all night," replied Mr. Willing dryly.

d.i.c.k arose and bade the others good night. A few moments later Shirley and Mabel retired to their room, where they lay for a long time before sleep overcame them, so excited were they at the prospect of the great trip.

"I'm glad d.i.c.k is going," said Mabel, "but I don't suppose I am half as glad as you are."

"Why not?" demanded Shirley.

"Oh, just because," replied Mabel, laughing.

"I don't see anything to laugh at," declared Shirley.

"You don't? No, I guess you don't. Do you know, I'd give a whole lot if some nice boy like d.i.c.k would come all this way to see me."