Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-10-10


ooh sir, it was I'm sgd. / didn't
know never-I-can / help you
sir?'
"Thank you, you can if your nerves
are strong. | can't cut this out with
my left hand. If you'd be so kind"
"I'll try sir. It's no more than |
deserve as punishment"
Sgd set her teeth any went to work.
Calm and collected, her hand did not
shake once, while she cut out the
offending fsh-hook, washed the wound,
and bound it up with her handkerchief.
But when the operation was over she
was paler than her patient.
"Now, sir, we must go home-its
going to rain. And if you will only
stop at our house moment, mother
will give you some wonderful salve
that never fails to cure. You must
let me do something for you or | shall
never forgive myself"
Don't apologize, pray. / ought to
beg your pardon instead of having
spoken so slightingly of your whistling.
| think now it was a very creditable
performance full of grace and spirit
But if you must make some amends
for your misdeeds, I'll burden you with
this camp-stool to carry by way of
penance. My paint-box and canvas
will be all 1 can manage. Never mind
the easel that will be all right here"
"Tom can carry it, sir. Tom !"
That individual had been enjoying
the dramatic scene from behind the
bushes, now descended and followed the
couple from afar, bearing the easel,
and stopping only twice to stand on
his head by way of expressing his
hilarity.
In the middle of the afternoon, as
Belle was looking listlessly out of the
window at the driving rain she gave a
start.
Mother, see here p
Sgd was at the gate, her splendid
hair down, carrying camp-stool in
one hand and with the other holding
an umbrella protecting over tall
young gentleman, one of whose hands
seemed to be somehow disabled.
"Mr. Lester, Bessie Grants New
York cousin He's a distinguished
artist, and is visiting at the Grants
during his summer vacation. What
will he think of that wild girl of ours !?
Why he's coming in, as live p
He was coming in, for Sgd had said
in an earnest tone
"Please stop, and let mother do some
thing for your hand Beside, shall
have to TESS my wrong-doing, and shall
want your protection"
"With pleasure, Miss Greyson. Only
don't, Topsy-like, fess anything you
haven't done"
"You think me bad enough as it is, "
said sgd, with a laugh, as they stood
on the steps. II have brought you a
patient, mother" she continued, as
soon as she introduced them properly.
az beg pardon, madam, for intrud-
ing upon you unceremoniously, but
Miss Sydney tells me of some magical
medicine you have, was so unfortu-
nate as to hurt my hand"
Il hurt it, you mean" interposed
sgd.
"Well, yes, Mrs. Greyson," said God
frey Lester, laughing, 81 believe your
daughter did mistake me for fish"
Here he bowed to grandma, who had
advanced from her corner. 81 assure
you she found me a troublesome one
and had hard work to get me off her
hook"
"How do you do, Mr.. Fish p said
grandma, very politely.
She was a little deaf, and had not
got the run of the story. Poor sgd,
in spite of her patience, was boiling
orer with suppressed laughter, and
Tom stood on his head in the hall.
Mrs. Greyson hustled around, bring
ing lint, ointment and bandages, to
bind up the wound, while Bessie scold-
ed Sgd in an undertone.
THAT Mr.. Fish seems to be very
fine young man." said grandma, at
supper after Mr.. Lester had departed.
"But | didn't quite understand how he
came to hurt his hand SO"
Sgd bit her lips; Tom choked, and
was sent from the table in disgrace.
Mr.. Lester came every day for a
renewal of the ointment. He might
have taken some with him, and thus
saved so many journeys, but he never
nod to think ne that
After little, great change came
over Miss Sydney Greyson.
"Syd's getting too poky for any
thing" said Tom "She won't fish or
shoot, and she says things are very
nice instead ofjolly."
"What little lady Sydney is get
ting to be !" said her mother.
"High time" from grandma.
II know why Syd's is in love. "
said Belle, sentimentally.
"Ah," said grandma, with Mr..
Fish"
For grandma would persist in call
ing Godfrey Lester, Mr.. Fish, to Syd's
deep disgust and to Master Toms in
Unite delight.
Long after the lacerated hand re-
covered Mr. Lester continued his visits
probably because he had got into the
habit of going to the Greyson's, and
habits are notorious tyrants. Sgd sud
denly took contrary fit, INDUCED in
freaks unaccountable, and was wilder
than ever Mr.. Lester seemed to like
her none the less for this. | think he
understood it. Don't you
| One night, at party, sgd was en-
joying herself hugely in her own way;
that was by horrifying group of in
terested listeners with accounts of her
many escapades. To shock the dainty
bellies and effeminate dandies by hei
bold disclosures delighted the wicked
little creature.