Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-12-15


about the face. after which be did no
know which way 70 look. he WAS 70 tel
ribly afraid that be might have to g
through the Same ceremony with th
cousins. which be simply could not hav
survived.
Happily for him. they did not appea
to expect il and he balanced chair o.
its hind legs and. resting one kne
upon il. waitG patiently for them 3
begin Z conversation; he could not haV
uttered q single word.
The aunt came to his rescue: "Yol
don't ask after your uncle Samuel. VIII
used to send you the beetles?' she said
s"No. said Flushington. who ha'
forgotten uncle SAM 81 and his beetles
too; "no. how Is uncle Samuel-quit
well. hoper'
"Only folerably SO. thank you. Fred
you see, be never got over his grea
loss"
mo" said Flushington. desperate
ly, "of course not; it was IA larg,
sum of money 10 lose all at once"
81 was not referring to money
said she. with slight touch of stoni
ness in her manner; IL WAS alludine
to the death of your cousin John"
Flushington had felt himself getting
on rather well just before that. bul
this awkward misiake-for be could moi
recollect having heard of cousin John
before threw him off his balance
again; he collapsed into silence once
more. inwardly resolving to be lured
into no more questions concerning reia'
tives.
His ignorance seemed to have
aroused pathetic sentiments in his aunt;
II ought to have known" she said.
shaking her head. ''that they soon for
get us in the old country; here's my
own sisters son, and he doesn't remem-
Der his cousins death! Well. we'll.
now we're here we must see II we can
know one another . little better. Fred.
you must take the girls aud me every
where and show US everything. like a
good nephew. you know"
Flushington had q horrible mental
vision of himself careering about all
over Cambridge, followed by q long
procession Of female relatives-a fear
iul possibility to SO shy man. "Shall
you be here longP" he asked.
'sOnly week or so; we're
at the Bull very near you.
you see; and I'm afraid you
think US very bold beggars. Fred. but
we're going to ask you to give US some-
thing to eat. I've set my hoart. SO have
the girls (haven't you. dearsp). ON
lunching once with college student in
his own ROOM"
"There's nothing SO extraordinary in
il. assure you." protested Flushing
ton. "and-and I'm afraid there's very
little for you to eat The kitchen and
buttery are closcd'' (he said this at q
venture, as he felt absolutely unequal 10
facing the college cook and ordering
lunch from that tremendous personagc;
he would rather order 1t from his tutor
even>. "But II you don't mind potted
ham. there's little at the bottom Of
this tin. and there's sone bread and an
inch of butter. and marinaladc. and =
few biscuits. And there was some
sherry this morning"
The girls all professed themselves very
hungry, and contented with anything;
SO they sat round the table. and poor
served out meager rations
of all the provisions he could lind. even
10 his figs and French plums; but there
was not nearly enough to go round. and
they lunched with evident disillusion-
ment, thinking that the college luxury
Of which they had heard SO much had
been greatly exaggerated.
During luncheon the aunt began
10 study Flushington's features
"There's . strong look
Of poor dear Simon about him
when he smiles," she said. looking at
him through her gold double glasses.
. There, did you catch 1t, girIsr just
his mothers profile turn your face .
lcetle more towards the window. SO as
10 get the light on your nose); don't
you sec the likeness to your aunts
portrait. g'rsp'
And Fliishington had to sit still with
all the girls charming eyes fixed critic
ally upon his crimson countcnancc; he
onged to be abe to slide down under
he table and eynde them. but Of course
he was Obliged to remain above.
"He's got dear Carolne's nosev' the
lunt went on. triumphantly; and the
cousins agreed that he certainly had
-aroline's nose. which made Flushing
on feel vaguely that he ought ut least
o offer TO return IT,
Presently one OF the girls whispered
o her mother. who laughed indulgcnt-
y; "What DO you think this silly child
wants me TO ask you now. Frcdf' she
aid. "Shc says she would 80 like to
zee what you look like with your college
zap and gown onl Win you put them
N, just TO please herr'
So Flushington had to put them on,
md walk slowly up and down the room
n them. feeling all the time what 4
lismal spectacle he was making OF him. |
eli. while the girls were plainly disap- |
'ointed. and remarked that. somehow,
hey had thought the acadcmical cos
unc more becoming.
Then began hotly maintained cate |
hism upon his studies. his amusements,
is friends. and his mode Of life gen.
rally; which he met with uneasy shift |
1gs and short timid answers. that they |
ID not appear to think altogether salts |
lctory.
Indeed. the aunt. who by this time
elt the potted ham beginning TO disa-
rec with her. asked him. with somc-
hing Of severity in her tone. whether
e went to church regularly; and he 1
aid that he didn't 20 10 church. but /
Tas always regular at chapcls.
On this she observed. coldly. that she |
'as sorry 10 hear her nephew was .
and flushingfon was much /
% shy to attempt 20 explain the mis-
understanding; he sat quie: and felt I
,isc rablc. whilst there was another un-
omfortablc pause.
The cousins were whispering together /
nd laughing over little private Jokes,
nd be. after the manner Of sensitive /
zen. Of course imagined they were ,
lughing at hi1a-and perhaps be was
OF very far wrong on this occasion.
o be was growing hotter and hotter ev-
~ second. inwzrlly cursing his whole
he and wishing that his father had
zen . foundling-whcn there came an
her tap At the door.
"Nhy. that must be poor Old
ophyr eaid HE aunt. Fred,
on remember old Sophy-no,
on can't you were only . baby
hen she came out TO live with us. but
,e'li remember you- She becccd %
ard 10 be taken and 20 We told her
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