The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-07-03

(and there were plenty Of them, in
cutting up a Thousand pranks, dabbling
in the puddles, building castles OF sand
and dirt, climbing trees, playing rob
Der, flghting-yes, fighting. What was
more, as if to scorn us he had forever
q liking to read under our noses dur
ing play hours out Of one OF those old
books.
lie at least looked down on u.s.
saw it in the way his lip curled when
he saw me coming, us often did at
the head OF a romping troop, with
cheeks as red as mulberry blood, hair
disordered and dress in tatters. He
said nothing, and that was worse. "A
calm so insolent! a silence so Insulting!
| would have beaten him if j had
dared,
"You must have been naughty,
grandmar'
Il thought so, child; often thought
SO. But | don't think so now. Is much
to be expected at that age? A fine age,
all the same!'
'tAnd then"
'sThen-that continued for years
and years. I, still turbulent and giddy
with play; he, always reading and
pointing at us, until he was fifteen
years old and twelve. At that time
he had to leave Paris with his parents.
l did not see him again for six or seven
years after. I was no longer little
girl, you know; my hair still curled,
and that was my despair, for the fash
ion Of head-dress a la Chinese had
come in-all the hair drawn to the TOP
and could not succeed in smooth
ing mine according to the style. NV
dresses had been heightened out.
Printed calicoes were no longer worn,
but muslins, and very beautiful leg-of-
mutton sleeves. In the meantime I
had not ceased being sprightly and
Jovlal, and sometimes, only OCCASION
ally, noisy.
''As for him be was the same fellow
as when he left, except that he had
light whiskers, which were quite be-
coming. He pressed my hand ceremo-
niously instead OF kissing me as I had
expected, which somewhat irritated
me, because I had planned, as I still
detested him so much in memory, to
turn to him only the tip of the ear.
Then, with scant courtesy, he seemed
to pay no further attention to meme
whom everybody else was noticing.
l felt outraged.
Il saw that he limped little, hav-
ing recently fallen from his horse.
That passed away afterward. This
lameness made up my mind to turn
to account for revenge. We were at
an uncle's in the country, where I.
made a visit every year Octave had
scarcely gone out before I began
walking round the parlor initiating
his halting stop and formal manner.
1t set every one laughing. Elated with
my success, I was trying it over. again
when he came in and surprised me.
expected reproaches. Wonder! He
did not appear to feel hurt, or to OBJ
serve my mischievousness I never
detested him more.
Sin the evening there was a grand
dinner, My cousins had brought one
of their friends whom Iconsidered a
coxcomb and whom avoided, especial
~ as he took pains to single me out
for his pretentious compliments. He
attached himself to me with famil-
iarity and vanquishing airs which
would have put me beside myself if i
had not seen that Octave was frown-
ing. All! that displeases you, I
thought Well, my lad, you NAV
plague yourself. Then I got absorbed
with the idea Of play ing the amiable
with this reckless fellow. He took
advantage of it and was so Troublesome
that | went out in the dark to escape
his ridiculous attentions. He followed
me. Already the effects Of drinking a
good deal OF champagne had been APP
parent: outside it was still worse,
The phrases which he addressed to me
commenced finely, but did not finish.
The beginning were sufficient and j
wanted no more. I turned my back
and scampered away. Notwithstand-
ing my bravery had had enough.
Alas! he ran after me, Selling nv
hand and trying to stop me. This time
my fear was SO strong that"
''You began to cry?'
''Not exactly. / drew away my hand
and gave it to him again, not as he
wished, but on his face slap bang!,
Bravo, grandma"
do not applaud so quickly. Octave,
WI Q had rejoined us, had attended nv
confirmation and made that a pre- text
to intervene between me and my pur-
suer. The next morning, held respon-
sible for my slap, he had tilt with the
5impertincnt fellow and scratched him,
fortunately not very deeply. SO that the
adv enture ended better than might
have been feared
You did not detest him any longer.