Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-30
AN UNCONVENTIONAL GIRL.

AN DNtON ENIIONAL GIRLs
DIR. REGINALD DEANE sat placidly sip
ping his coffee, glancing now and then at
the morning paper beside his plate, and
listening in not very polite attention to
the remarks vouchsafed by his aunt from
the opposite side of the table.
College days, medical lectures and
clinics were over for him. He had wan
dered through European hospitals, prac-
ticed enough to attain requisite skill and
nerve in handling the scalpel, and
learned enough of Natures philosophy
to refrain from drugging his patients to
death He wished leisure now for study
more than he desired extensive practice,
and therefore he came back to the home
stead, beautified the neglected grounds,
decorated the long-closed rooms, built a
conservatory which should open with
wide doors from his own especial sane
tum, installed 9 Aunt Racher' as house
keeper, and announced himself, by a
modest dOOr-plate, as ready for surgical
calls.
At the house warming all Ashland had
eagerly assisted, whence it was well
known that the furnishing was elegant,
and many longing wishes to reign in the
mansion as mistress filled the heads of
formly polite to everybody, showed ne
marked preferences, and when invited to
parties managed either to avoid ATTENDING
or else to be only Aunt Rachels escort
so the signing damsels turned their hopes
in other directions.
All his life DR.. Reginald had dreamed
of a home" that should be "sweet,"
and he fancied the wife who should sit
opposite TO him IL table and firesides
but he hated care and responsibility, and
thought to gain the "home" by estab-
fishing Aunt Rachel where a wife would
have perhaps given more pleasure, to be
sure, but she would demand too much
time and attention, he selishly thought.
Six months had gone very smoothly, yet
he was conscious that, despite its luxury,
his home" was incomplete.
All this was vaguely passing through
DR.. Reginald's mind while he slipped his
coffee and listently absently to the lady
opposite;
last remark, elected little closer atten-
ton and definite reply
Indeed! Well, we must call at once.
Fred is a very agreeable fellow; Mrs.
Marston the most perfectly well-bred
woman | ever saw, and Miss June-the
mischief Why, she must be a young
lady now. Pm half sorry for that; |
used to have grand romps with her"
Aunt RacheIs lip curled; in her esti-
mate of feminine attractions "romping'
had no place and the tone in which the
doctor was answered was as wintry as
the November air outside.
< Miss Marston is not in the least like
her mother. I can hardly conceive how
it has been possible, under such
training, for her to be so utterly uncon-
ventional as she ISL
Have you seen them?" asked the
doctor.
Yes; / met them yesterday at my
dress makers, and positively Miss Mars
ton shocked me by her queerways. She
is so uncOnventionaln
"Indeed" in quizzical tone, came
from under the brown mustache oppo-
site, while the mouth behind it curled
with derisive, incredulOus smile.
Yes" said Aunt Rachel, unheeding
the tone; she came in to Madame FOy's,
and while she was sitting there the
Madame called one of the girls from the
work-roOm tt was Mary Niles, whose
mother was June's old nurse. Mrs. Mars
ton was giving directions about her
daughters dress, but that young lady
rushed toward the work-girl flung her
arms around her and actually kissed her
before us ALL Mrs MarStOn looked eX-
tremely annoyed and Madame sent the
girl from the room at once" Aunt
Rachel waXed warm with indignation,
but all the sympathy she received was a
quiet
Pardon me! but l fail to see any
dreadful indecorum"
Why, Reginald! No young lady OF
=
position SO far as To do such Il thing"
My plants need fumigating, l think
he muttered; so he wandered among his
treasures for an hour, lifting their deli
cate leaves and blowing among them the
pretty blue rings which are a smokers
pet achievement, and thinking thus:
June! It's pretty name. | won
der if it brings summer sunlight to the
owner? I shall like to see a young girl
who doesn't try to be prim. If Miss
June dare assume any stiffness I'll re.
mind her of sundry episodes at Eevey,
before her dresses grew long. | remem
Der her laugh in those days; it was living
music, and-really-it would not sound
badly floating through this dull ole
house now. Pshaw." and the unfinished
cigar was flung away impatiently. I'D
better let we'll enough alone Aunt
inc, and when | need other society | car
seek it. These flowers are growing beau
tifullv Wonder if they would do better
if June were always here?"
But all this was very ridiculous; so the
doctor drew on his gloves, nodded good
by to Aunt Rachel at the top of the
staircase, and sauntered down to the
street.
Looking in at the Postoffice, he en-
countered Fred NarstOn, exchanged
heartiest greetings, and Fred's house be
ing nearest the two friends went thither
Onening the hall-door, a long, ripping
merry laugh was their first welcome, 70
June herself was having grand froli'
with two little ones, who were busy a
4.bide the handkerchief in the long hall
90 Fredr' she began; then, spying hi
companion. started, flushed, then beamet
with positive delight, and sprang lmpul
sivelv forward.
"Mr. Deane! I am very glad to NEE
YOU again; but you see I'm not a bit NOR
nroper than | used to be-"
Mrs. Narston came with her pleasan
recognition, and the friends chatted gayl,
of days that were gone, OF days nov