Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-01-10

with glance in my direction. NO,
childl of course not. No one has seen an
angel"
Joyce looked so shocked at this that l
FASTENED to interpret Mrs. Markham's
speech.
No one sees angels now, Joyce; not as
the good people in the Bible used to see
them; perhaps we are not good enough.
But what put angels into your head, my
dear?''
"OIly Aunt AIDA said Reggie was like
an angel, and / thought she had seen one.
What is a cherub, nurse dear? Something
good to eat?'
saw a smile lowering on Mrs. Mark
hams thin lips. Evidently she found
Joyce amusing, but just then a loud
peevish voice was distinctly audible in
the passage.
Mother, mother, sayl Go away, Jud-
DIV / tell YOU You are nasty disagree
able Old cat-and will go to mother!'-
this accompanied by ominous kicks.
| signed to Hannah to take the children
into the adjoining room. 1t was Reggie's
bedtime. and Joyce was tired with her
journey. The door was scarcely closed
upon them before the same violent kick
ing was heard against the nursery door.
1T is only Rolf | am afraid he is very
cross" observed Mrs. Markham, placidly,
shivering little, after the fashion of peo-
pie who lived in India, as she moved away
from the open window, and drew a lace
scarf round her 'Judson is such bad
manager. She never does coutrive to
amuse him or keep him quiet"
HE will brighten Reggie" 1 remon-
strated, for she did not offer to stop the
noise and went quickly to the door.
There was regular scuffie going on in
the passage. A little boy in Highland
dress was endeavOring to escape from a
young woman, who was holding him back
from the door with some difficulty.
"Master Rolf-master Rolf what will
your mamma sayP You will make her
head ache, and then you will be sorry"
81 sha'n't be a bit sorry, Juddy, tell
you! | will 90 in, and" Here he stop
ped and stared up in my face. He was a
pale, sickly looking child, rather plain, as
Miss Cheriton had said, but he had beau
tiful gray eyes. only they were sparkling
y
him by the arm had a thin, care-worn
face-probably her post was a harassing
one. with an exacting mistress and that
spoiled boy.
"Who are your" demanded the boy,
rudely.
Il am Miss Fenton, the nurse" l re-
turned Your little cousins are just going
to bed and | cannot have that noise to
disturb them"
a. shall kick again, unless you let me
come in and see them"
For shame, Master Rolf! Whatever
makes you so naughty to-night?''
II mean to be naughty. Hold your
stupid old tongue, Juddy. You are silly
woman That is what mother calls you.
am gentleman, and shall be naughty
if | like. Now then, Mrs. Nurse, may |
come in?"
Not tonight Master Rolf. Tomorrow,
if you are good"
Nurse" interrupted Mrs. Markham's
voice behind me, II do not know what
right YOU have to exclude my boy. Let
him come in and bid good night to his
cousins. You will behave prettily, Rolf,
will you not?
One look at the surly face before me
made me incredulous of any pretty be-
havior on Rolls part. l knew Joyce was
a nervous child, and easily frightened,
and already the loud voices were upset
ting Reggie. | could hear him crying, in
spite of Hannah's coaXing | felt l must
be firm. The nursery was my private do
main. | WIS determined Rolf should not
cross the threshold tonight. ,.,ggitef
Excuse me, Mrs. Markham, do return
ed, quickly, II cannot nave the. children
disturbed at bed-tilne; It is against Mrs.
Morton rules Master Rolf may pay us
YIsit tomorrow, if he be goodn-laying
|@a.trrss On guod-4..but i.cannot admit him
to night ','-,.51.vsss-
She looked at me with naughty incre,
duiity.
81 consider this very impairment" she
| muttered, half to herself. But Judson
must have heard her
Come with me, Rolf darling. Never
mind about your cousins. | dare say we
shall find something nice downstairs"
and she held out her hand to him, but he
pushed it away.
Bring him to the drawing-room, Jud-
SON" she said, cOolly, not at all discom-
posed by his rudeness; but | could see my
tirmnesS had offended her. She would not
soon forgive my excluding Rolf.
Rolf waited till she was out of sight,
and then he recommended his kicks.
exchanged a glance with Judson; her
harassed face seemed TO appeal to me for
help.
Master Rolf" | said, Indignantly, 'yOu
COLL vnrrrSnIf a ~nntIan,"'' h"t YOU are
acting like an ill-tempered baby, and ]
shall treat YOU like one" and to his in.
1.
ground, and, being pretty strong. man.
aged to carry him, in spite of his kicks
and pinChes, down to the hall, followed
by Judsou. Probably he had never been
so summary dealt with, for his kicks
diminished as we descended the stairs:
and left him on the hall mat. looking
rather subdued and ashamed of himself.
l had gained my point, but | felt out of
heart as | went back to the nursery. l
had entered the house prejudced against
Mrs. Markham, and our first interview
had ended badly; my conscience justified
me in my refusal to admit Rolf; but, all
the same, felt | had made Mrs. Mark
ham my enemy. Her cold eyes had meas.
ured me superciliously from the first mo-
ment. Very probably she disapproved of
my appearance. With women of this cal
lbcE-COlN, CTlJlCtl, ana uOlllQSerlng-pO 1
gentlewomen would have a chance of J E.
ing sent to the wall.
When the children were asleep ST ated
myself rather disconsolately by the low
nursery window. Hannah had been sum
moned to the housekeeper's room II see
her sister Molly, and had left me al ne
felt too tired and dispirited to st tile to
my work or book; besides, it was shame
to shut out the moonlight. The garden
seemed transformed into fairy scene A
broad silyery pathway stretched across
the park; curious shadows lurked under
the elms; an indescribable stiffness and
peace seemed to pervade everything; the
flowers aud birds were asleep; nothing
stirred but a night moth, stretching lis
dusky wings in the scented air, and in the
distance the soft wash of waves against
the shore.
l laid my head against the window
frame, and let the summer breeze blow
over my face, and soon forgot my worries
in long. delicious day-drcam. Were my
thoughts foolish l wouGer?-mere cob
webs of girls fancies woven together with
mooubeams and rose scentsS
"A girls Imagination as Aunt Aga
tina once said, resembles an uabroken