The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-20

lights in country life. / don't think
she cares pin for society"
s.Still she will want some amuse-
ment."
robin in want of amusement" l
answer, raising my eyebrows. mo,
/ can't fancy that. 1 think she is too
to feel dull, even if she
were stranded, like Robinson Crusoe,
on a desert island. She used to be
first and foremost in all the fun at
school, l think l never knew such a
hand at practical jokes"
practical jokes!" repeats aunt
Louisa uneasily. THAT is most unfor-
tunate. knew poor boy who had
his spine injured for life by having his
chair pulled away when he was going
to sit down, and another WI he caught
rheumatic fever by finding a wet
sponge in his bed"
/ burst into long and merry fit Of
laughter.
..Oh, auntie," l cry, when my mer-
riIlent has subsidized, ''of course
she would not play such tricks as
those-why, you must picture her a
regular monkey! will guarantee she
shall leave the beds and chairs alone. !"
Aunt looks relieved, though she
seems scarcely to appreciate my laugh
ter. l am anticipating something in
the shape of reprimand, when the
door opens and my brother John en-
tiers the room.
He is a young man of six-and-twenty
tall, and slightly built, with high
thoughtful forehead and big unfathom-
able gray eyes. He is my only brother
and love him with kind of enthusi-
astic worship. / look up to him also
with a species of reverence, as being
the impersonation of cleverness. Most
of his time is spent in his study, dark
little den surrounded by heavy book
shelves. When not occupied in read
ing or writing, he is greater dream
er even than 1 am myself. Occasion
ally l have had to shout quite into his
ear, to make him understand that his
meals are waiting. He wears his
hair rather long, and is inclined to be
neglectful of his appearance.
Entering the room now, he saunters
idly about, lingering the ornaments on
the various tables in an absent man.
ner; finally he works round to where
we are sitting, and, taking up my bum
die of woods, begins to play with them,
idly twisting them in and out between
his strong brown fingers.
sis it anywhere about the hour for
tea?" he questions in voice which is
deep, sonorous, and trile sad.
l answer in the affirmative, and, fold
ing up my work, begin to chat. 1t is
so very seldom that John is to be
caught in a conversational mood that
/ never neglect to avail myself of the
occasion when such is the case.
Presently the tea arrives, brought in
by our one man-servant, Robert. After
setting the tray on the small wicker
tea-table to his satisfaction, he is about
to withdraw, when / remember my
letter, and tell him to see that it is
placed in the bag.
"a truly feminine budget" remarks
John sarcastically, as his eye lights on
a well-filled envelope.
"Yes," answers aunt Louisa, with
more than usual alacrity. 81 have
just been giving Blanche a lecture on
her waste of paper; but | doubt if she
will benefit by it''
"Tis good for trade" | interpose
oracularly. "Besides, auntie, if we
both set about keeping an account of
our stationery, | think yours would
make mine look very small at the end
of the year. You write three or four
letters every day, and, as rule, |
don't get through one week"
Aunt Louisa laughs. She is so gen.
timely good-naturcd, Notwithstanding
her pet cro.chets, that she never minds
being worsted in an argument. :
"If my invitation is accepted" |
pursue, nodding in auntie's direction,
II probably sha'n't write another let
ter this month"
John looks up quickly from the strong
cup of tea he is stirring.
Your invitation" he says inter-
negatively.
Eyes; don't you remember l asked
you about it few days since?"
al cannot say that l have any clear
recollection of your telling me anything
of the Sort" he answers, slowly, a
slight frown puckering his forehead.
..What wretched memory you
havew / exclaim, with some pity. 81
certainly told you that was going to
ask my dearest sehool-friend, Robin,
down to stay for month"
II don't doubt that you told me; but
could not have been listening at the
time," replied John.
This explanation is so very probable
that do not argue the point any fur
ther.
blanche, are you determined to
poison me?" asks aunt Louisa at this
moment in pathetic tones, and handing
me back her cup of tea untouched.
/ have been so frequently asked the
same question that l merely shake my
head in mild dissent, pour out two
thirds of the cup in the slop-basin, and
fill up the void with water.
THAT is BETTER" remarked my aunt,
with satisfaction; and then she adds
cream and sugar to her tasteless por-
ton with liberal hand. "You two
have spoilt your nerves already with
tea-drinking," she continues, after a
sip of the pale fluid.
Johns eyes and mine meet in a
glance of sympathy. We both drink
our tea black, strong, no sugar, and
only taste of cream.
"Tea is very strong stimulant, "
pursues aunt Louise solemnly. 81 am
not at all sure that it is not intoxicat-
ing. l think there ought to be a league
against excessive tea-drinking, as there
is against beer and spirits.
"a ladies' tea-league," laughs John;
and his usually sad eyes light up with
such a genuine CLEAN of fun that /
just clasp my hand in my lap and stare
at him.
1t is so seldom, so very seldom, that
John smiles; and when he does his
smile is something worth watching. /
know well enough why he is habitual-
I IN, nj L. IF