Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-03-28
MISS JANET'S ANSWER.

mlSO UANhl y AND w IlGs
81 have put you in Miss Janet Clusters
room, my DEAR" said busy Miss Page.
the principal of Wild Oak Female Sem
mary. "Of course, we are very full, and
I know you would not mind little
crowding. Moreover" and she put her
arms around her favorite old pupil, Il
want YOU and Janet Custer to know each
other; and you will both thank me be-
fore the week is over"
& offer you my first installment of
gratitude now," said sweet, gentle
voice coming through the twilight.
f'Please let me have Miss Marion at
once, SO that she may get little settled
before tea-time.''
An introduction being needless after
such a friendly greeting, Miss Pages
new teacher and her old pupil went off
together, up through the great building
to a little nest very near the roof.
1t was commencement week and a
very gay, bright time at the seminary.
Miss Page loved to have her old pupils
flock back on such occasions, and
Marion Lyle was one of her special
pets.
81 am ashamed to think how disor-
dered your room is going to be during
my STAY" said Marion, as the big trunk
was introduced into Miss Janet's tiny,
tidy room.
"Never mind, my DEAR" said the
teache 81 have passion for putting
things away; and having so few of my
own, | can practice on yours to my
hearts content. But now for news of
my boy. [ think | have been very pa
tient to wait SO long without asking"
''Mr Austin Custer? O, he is in fine
condition, and asked me to give lots of
love to his little Sis, whom he constant
" tells me is the sweetest woman on
earth"
''Now, I am going to ask very mean
question said Austin's sister. Glow
does he stand in college?"
"H e heads the list of good fellows"
replied her guest, not without shade
of III barrassment.
'But in his classes ?"
go, you know | can't tell you much
about that; but really, don't think he is
killing himself with work"
Miss Clusters blue eyes looked so sad.
that Marion wished she had not said so
much Though, indeed, Miss Page"
she said, in private chat, % L was draw
ing it mild, as the college boys say.
Austin Custer is great, strong, hand
some fellow, full of base ball and tennis
and boating thoughts, and smart, too,
but utterly lazy about study. Please
don't let Miss Janet ask me any more
questions about him"
'The heartless fellowp % exclaimed
Miss Page. "Janet is keeping him at
college, Marion. supporting him entire
ly; and in order to do it pinches herself
IN a way that is painful to us all. You
must have observed how shabby she
is?''
s-"Why isn't there a state law against
such selnshness,' cried Marion, angrily.
s'When I think how that boy spends his
sisters hardearned money, how he
throws it away on tennis suits and rid
ing parties-I declare, [ shan't be able
home"
use your tongue, my child, laughed
the old teacher. "A woman's hands are
weak; not so her tongue"
Miss Janet did not embarrass Marion
bv any closer questioning about her
brother The two talked over all mat
tiers, earthly and divine, that came
within their ken, in the lulls of concerts
and speakings, during the commence
ment week, and as Miss Page had fore
seen. drew very much to each other
But Marion fairly writhes under the
consciousness of her new friends mea-
ger, uncomfortable life, contrasting it
with Austin Clusters selfish carelessness
How bravely the little woman wore
her shabby, old fashioned clothes,
when everybody else was arrayed like
the lilies Of the field! How lightly she
talked of her summers task-the care of
a household of children, whose mother
was going to Europe. How persistent
lining of every cloud; dear, brave,
patient GIRL
And spirited, too. Not one borrowed
feather would she adorn herself with,
though she would have conferred a
favor on her friends by doing so; not
one smallest present would she accept,
though she smoothed the appearance
of righteousness by her ready tact;
and not one word of pity would she
brook, "If you have a chance, Marion, !"
was her last whisper, ''tell Austin that [
ask God every day to make him an
earnest, useful man, and that | am sure
my prayers will be heard and an
sWered."
| am afraid the sisters faith would
have been staggered, if she had seen
Austin on his first visit TO Miss Marion
Lyle, after her return to Athena. The
college session was not over, but Austin
called in the morning, during recitation
hours, utterly Indifferent to the bad
mark which would be registered against
him.
He was dressed in a snowy linen suit,
with necktie and straw nat of the latest
style, and silk umbrella to protect him
from the June sun. Marion felt her
scorn and indignation getting almost be-
yond control, and MIR. Custer perceived
at once the chilliness of her manner. :
Naturally, his sister was the first topic
Of conversation, and Marion had the sat-