Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-15
CHAPTER ".
A vJTTJ GE1RMTCH


A LITTLE sKIRMIsH
didn't believe in the people-opposite, in
spite of their references being said to be good.
You may say that's because of what fol-
lowed; but it isn't, for didn't like the looks
of the stiff, elderly Miss Mimprisses, and I
didn't like the two forward servants, though
they seemed TO keep themselves to them
selves wonderfully, and no man ever allowed
in the house Worst of all, l didn't like
that handsome young Miss Adela, sitting at
work over colored worsted at the dining
room or drawing room window, for young
Mr.. Barclay was always looking across at
her, and, though he grew red faced, my poor
Miss Virginia grew every day more pale
They seemed very strange people over the
wey, ahd it was only sometimes on Sunday
that any one at our place caught a glimpse
of them. and then one PERHAPS would come
to window for few minutes and sit and
talk to Miss Adela-one of the elder sisters,
mean; and when / caught sight of them, |
used to think that it was no wonder they had
taken to dressing so primly and so plain, for |
they must have given up all hope of getting |
husbands long before
Mr.. Barclay suggested to Sir John twice in |
my hearing that he should invite his new
tenants over to dinner; and once, in hest |
tating way, limited something about Miss |
Virginia calling. But Sir John only grurted;
while saw my dear young lady dart such
an indignant look at Mr. Barclay as made
him silent for the rest of the evening, and
seem ashamed of what he had said
talked about it a good deal TO Tom as I
sat before my pantry fire of an evening; and
he used to leap up in my lap and sit and
look up at me with his big eyes, which were
as fun of knowingness at those times as they
were stupid and slit like at others, He was
great favorite of mine, was Tom, and had
been ever since found him, a half starved
kitten in the area, and took him and fed
him till he grew up the fine cat be was
| There's going TO be trouble come of it,
| Tom" l used to say; and to my mind, the
best thing that could have happened for US
would have been for over the way to have
stopped empty; for instead Of things going
on smoothly and pleasantly, they got worse
every day. Sir John said very little, but be
was a man who noticed great deal. Mr..
Barclay grew restless and strange, but he
never said word now about going away.
While, as for Miss Virginia, she seemed to
me to be growing older and more serious in
wonderful way; but when she was spoken
to she had always a pleasant smile and a
bright look, though it faded away again di-
rectly, just as the sunshine does when there
are clouds, She used to pass the greater part
of her time reading to Sir John, and she
kept his accounts for him and wrote his
letters; and one morning as | was clearing
away the breakfast things, Mr.. Barclay being
there, reading the paper, Sir John says,
sharply: Those people opposite haven't
paid their first quarters rent"
No one spoke for moment or two, and
then, in a fidgety, sharp way, Mr.. Barclay
says: why, it was only due yesterday,
father
"Thank you, SIR" says Sir John, in a
curiously polite way; II know that; but il
was due yesterday, and it ought to have been
paid. Ginny, write note to the Misses
Mimpriss with my compliments, and say
shall be obliged by their sending the rent"
Miss Virginia got up and walked across
to the writing table, and l went on very
2 slowly clearing the cloth, for Sir John Away.
treated me as if l was a piece of furniture
but 1 felt uncomfortable, for it seemed to ms
y that there was going to be quarrel
! Twas right, for as Miss Virginia began tt
= write Mr.. Barclay crushed the newspaper VI
II in his hands and said hotly: Surely, father
!, you are not going to insult those ladies by
asking them for the money the moment it il
,e duef' gre
ii Eyes, am, SIR" says the old gentleman
': sharply, land you mind your own business
IL When I'm dead, you can collect your owl
Q, rents as you like while live shall do tn
a. same
u. Miss Virginia got up quickly and went AM
~ laid her hand upon Sir Johns breast withou
re saying word; but her pretty appealing &C
ca meant deal, and the old man took the littl
u white hand in his and kissed it tenderly
, You go and do as bid you, my pet" h
said, land you, Burden, wait for the nots
~ take 1t over, and bring an answer"
"Yes, Sir john" / said quietly, and
" heard Miss Virginia give a little sob as sh
ny went and sat down and began writing. The
l saw that the trouble was coming, and tha
there was to be big quarrel between fathe
and son.
Look here, father" says Mr. Barclay
", getting up and walking about the room, 6
en- never interfere with your affairs
ry II should think not, sir, v says the old maj
Mt. very sarcastic-like
he "But cannot sit here patiently and 81
you behave in so rude way to those fol-
ny ladies who honor you by being your tel
ants
Il "Say feel greatly surprised that the rel
it's was not sent over yesterday, my dear" sa,
,on Sir John, without taking any notice of b
y.n son.
per Eyes, uncle" says Miss Virginia 81
always called him uncle" though he wasr
nd any relation
nd Its shamefulr' cried Mr. Barclay. "Tl
aid result will be that they will give you mott
ng and 60"
ere 'Good job, too" said Sir John VI dor
,hn like them, and l wish they had not Gomez
g show can you be so unreasonable, father
cried the young man hotly. ..-.5--
me "Look here, Bar" says Sir John-('Fo
md that letter and seal it with my seal, 'Ginny
tie, Flock here, Bar"
to glanced at the young man, and saw hi
the pass his hand across his forehead so rough
op- that the big signet ring he wore-the @
fashioned one Sir John gave him many yea
ar before, and which fitted so tightly now tn
me it wouldn't come over the joint-made gu
col red mark on his brow. 5
ght II don't know what you are going to 50
ler- father" cried Mr.. Barclay quickly; but, 1
,eir heavens sake, don't treat me as boy a
I've longer, and implore you not to send tt
nv letter"
There was minutes silence, during viii
& / could hear Mr.. Barclay breathing hal
the Then Sir John began again. Look he
J he SIR" he said Over and over again you
ing wanted to go away and travel, and Eve s.
the / didn't want You to go. During the p
three months you've altered your mind"
Sir ALTERED my mind, sir,n says the you
ody man sharply. SIS
ople YES, SIR; and I've altered mine. Thf
fair. Now you don't want to go, and W,
;ter- you tor a EK
z;.h "Uncler q 60
sinu "Have you done that letter, my petf Y
! II That's we'll Now, you stand there and t
nd 7 care Of me, for fear Mr.. Barclay should
yorsl In passion"
That '.Sir, asked you not to treat me lii
einr boy lid N. Barclay bitterly.