Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-02-18

! Under such conditions the years had
passed, and Mary was eighteen before
she herself realized the fact.
There was no change in her feelings
or views of life, but she was conscious
that her grandfather's eyes followed her
with deeper sadness than formerly
One day he said to her quite suddenly:
Mary, do you realize that you are a
woman?" Mary was decidedly startled
at this intelligence.
Indeed, I don't, grandpa, and don't
wish to. It will seem like being some
one else"
They were together in the study; Mr..
Willard in his accustomed chair, and
| Mary in her corner beside him.
YES" he continued after a second
silence, you are eighteen, and at that
age"
Zone is supposed to be a woman, put
in Mary, rising from her stool and walk
ing across the room with a half-serious,
half comic air.
1T is rather hard, grandpa, that one
must be, whether one wishes or not.
Now look at me, please. Am l taller
than was a month ago? Am the least
bit wrinkled, or, has my hair turn
ed gray? No, no." she added with a
shake of the head, st isn't any use. Let
US talk of something else"
She was back in her place, her hand
upon his knee, her bright face raised
to his. He shook his head with a half
sigh.
Most young ladies'" he began.
She raised her hands with protesting
gesture.
eff you have any consideration for me,
grandpa, don't bring up most young
ladies'. They and I have nothing in
common. Let us drop the subject. Do,
for one more interesting. Please tell
me what Jeanette means by her dark
hints about visitor. Surely we are
not going to indulge in anything so
giddy."
She gave him a half-laughing, half
questioning glance, and clasping her
hands about her knees, she rocked back
ward and forward, with q sort of rhythmic
motion.
what has Jeanette told you?" he
asked, smiling at her expression.
"Oh, a whole rigmarole, in odd bits
and at odd times I'm to dress better
because he is rich and used to fashion
able girls I'm to dispense with my I'M
couth manners because he is accustom-
to lady-like females. In Short" she
added, with fine scorn, I'm to be per-
feet little prig to suit his fastidious taste.
Now, grandpa, if you have invited o
man Of that description to visit us can
not help saying you've done most fool
ish thing. Didn't you reflect how
dreadfully plain We'll seem in con-
trast to his people? and don't you
| know that while am perfectly content
ed with my life and everything here, I'd
feel like killing man who d dare to look
down on me or you. Men like him are
sure to break out some time, and I know
I'll break out too. Who is he, anyhow,
After such a TRADE, I am almost
afraid to say" was the laughing re-
Spouse. But, he added more gravely,
Il hope can trust you to be a polite
little hostess. 1 am particularly inter
ested in this young Beverly. His father
and I were old and dear friends. Cir.
cumstances, however, caused us to lose
sight of each other. He went to Cali
fornia, married there, and died few
years later, leaving this son, Of whose
existence heard only few months ago.
| I wrote to him Immediately, receiving
quite characteristic letter in answer.
This visit is the result of my invitation.
I am anxious for you to like him and to
make his stay with us as pleasant as
possible. I am sure he cannot be other
|
| best accounts Of him"
ut sounds very NICE" said Mary, with
reflective air, but it strikes me he will
have to be agreeable to make up for the
disturbance he'll create"
! Three days later Jeanette was put
ting the guest room in order, and Mary
was watching operations.
Look here Jeannette," she cried gay
ly, Il believe you consider him fairy
prince never saw you beat that old
bed so hard before.
L want to make it comfortable, Miss
Mary. Your grandpa's guest mustn t
have nothing to complain Of.
He'll be an ungrateful wretch If he
does complain, returned Mary with de-
cision. We are going to give him
royal welcome. I bet he never had such
big bed before in his life. 1 hope he's
tall. You didn't hear grandpa say, I
SUPPOSE,
mo, [ haven't heard nothing about his
length or width either, and | don't care,
me to bone, with them self-willed ways
Of yours"
"To what?" cried Mary with quiz
zical glance at the portly frame before
her. "Oh, Jeanette, you are pro-
voking sometimes. I suppose you are
still harping on my clothes. You'd have
me get a lot of new dresses just for that
man. I hate new dresses. Besides, they
take lot of money, and 1 shouldn't
amount to anything after all my trouble.
If my old rigs are good enough for
grandpa, they are good enough for any
man in creation. l don't care snap Of
my finger for that Beverly, or whatever
his name is. He'll be sure to imagine
I'm dressing for him, SO if my clothes
are outrageous he can't imagine it,
that's all there is about it. I'd like to
see him laugh at them. just let him
dare.
| TO ZEE CONTINUED