The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-09-14
A LITTLE CAT"
But She Proved, After An, to Be
a Little Goose"

q b1ttAo 1OO0os
81 have rented the cottage we were
looking at last week. papa. for the
summer" Miss Selma Watkins an
nounced in the commanding style ha-
bitual to her, land we can move to-
morrow. 1t is completely furnished. -"
NJ. Watkins looked annoyed. but
made no objection, and Miss Georgina
complacently buttered her toast and
nodded approval.
Mr.. Watkins was man past seventy,
but tall, erect and vigorous, with large.
full eyes, suggestive of kindly nature.
and smile that proclaimed charity to
all the world. Possessed of an ample
fortune he had retired from business,
and lived upon his income, sometimes
wondering that the large dowry he
would presumably give his daughters
had tempted no man to rescue them
from single blessedness.
Thin. sour of face, strong of will. and
acid of temper, they presided over his
household. cared for his linen, and lived
in dire apprehension of step-mother.
For. at seventy. their dear papa showed
a decided preference for ladies' society
outside of the home circle. As he pur-
sued his dignifed. quiet way down the
street. the sisters held moments con-
sultation.
by the time we return in the fall '
Miss Selma said. papa will have quite
forgotten that little sly cat, Elsie White.
They always go to the seaside, for Mrs.
White to escape hay fever. so there is
no danger of seeing them in the coun-
try"
IF we 60 to Grovedale tomorrow
we must begin to pack up" suggested
Georgina, and the two went to their
rooms. to drive their maids to the Dor
ders of insanity by their fussy arrange.
meuts.
And Mr.. Watkins, in cool, shaded
boudoir. provided with broad fans and
iced lemonade. chatted with Mrs. White.
who at forty-two. in her cool, muslin
comingly arranged. was almost, if not
quite. as attractive as the little blonde
fairy who called her mamma"
They wersa merry party. talking oil
call things under the sum-" and con-
trasting strongly with the home trio,
where Mr.. Watkins felt like naughty
school-boy. facing the vinegar aspects
of his dutiful daughters. 1t was charm
ing TO him to accept the pretty atten-
lions of Elsie White. who was fond OF
him, and delighted in his frequent
presents of bon bons. trinkets, but
kepta loyal determination in her heart.
never. never to marry a man old enough
to be her grandfather.
Mrs. White. her pretty little hands
busy with embroidery, looked on and
smiled at Mr.. Watkins attentions to
Elsie. encouraged her daughter to sing
all the new songs to him. carefully Sc
lected pretty toilets for her. and ir
every way encouraged the courtship o.
the rich old widower.
She had already ascertained that. in
addition to a liberal allowance from
their father, Miss Selma and Georgina
Watkins were wealthy in their OWL
right, having inherited money from
their mother and deceased uncle.
but they will never relax their hold
over the old gentleman" the pretty
widow thought, unless" and she nod
ded her head-''unless some one els<
has a greater influence"
The long. warm afternoon passed
away, and Mr.. Watkins strolled leis'
urely home to luncheon. cool and smil
ing, to meet his red-faced. over-heated
cross daughters. and mentally contras
them with the placid, quiet ladies M
had just quilted
All that day there was a shrill due
of complaints and orders. and the hustle
of moving the next morning was worse
But ''dear papa had long ago ceased t.
have any voice in domestic arrange
ments, and he took possession of the
stuffy little room in the Grovedale cot
tage, inwsrdly chuckling at the con
sternation to come.
Il am sure, my dear girls" he said
in his gentle, refined voice, at tea time
"you will be delighted to hear that W,
are to have old friends for neighbors
Mrs. White has taken the cottage oppo
site to this one for the summer
For once there was no answer Tn,
Misses Watkins were literally strucl
dumb
Horror succeeded horror. There wa:
no ceremony in the free country life
and from their windows and porch tn,
two old maids could see the daily en-
deavors of the artful widow and hel
fair daughter to entrap their ''deal
papa" Wandering about the gardel
in the most bewitching of summer ZOOS
Tunes" with becoming shade hats fol
sunshine, or the daintiest Of whit
wraps for evening, the widow and he
daughter spared no pains to make theil
cottage attractive. Selma groaned Il
see her venerable parent eating straw
berries out of cabbage leaf held b,
Elsie's pretty hands, while Mrs Whit,
tossed Georgina's button-hole bouque
contemptuously aside, to be replaced b!
q hah-blown moes-rose of her own se
isction- Georgina wept openly to se'
Elsie coqusttishly selecting sweetmeas