The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-12


presence. I distinctly saw him put his
tablets back into his pocket, wheel around
again on his heel and march straight to
the garden gate. waited until he had
his hand on the lock to open it, and then,
when felt that we were quite safe, iu-
formed dear Lady Malkinshaw that my de-
tcstable neighbor had ut last taken him.
self off, and, throwing open the window
again to get little fresh air, begged and
entreated her to oblige me by resuming
the charming conversation.
"Where was II" INQUIRED nv distin-
ruished friend.
You were telling me what you recon-
mended your poor darling to write inside
her inclosure," answered.
"Ah, yes-so was. Well, my dear, she
controlled herself by an admirable effort,
and wrote exactly what l told her. You
will excuse mothers partially, I am
sure-but think never saw her look SO
lovely-so mournfully lovely-I should
say, MS when She was writing those last
lines to the man who had SO basely trifled
with her The tears came into my eyes us
looked at her sweet, pale cheeks, and 1
thought to MYSELF
c'Nurscl which of the children was sick
last time. after eating onion sauceSO
lie had come back aRain?-the monster
had come bnck again from the garden
gate TO Shout that unwarrantable, afro
cious question in Mt his nursery Window
Lady Malkinshaw bounced off her chair
at the first note of his horrible voice aud
changed toward me instan 1--as if it had
been my fault-in the most alarming and
unexpected manner. Her ladyships face
became awfully red; her ludyship's head
trembled excessively; her ladyship's eyes
looked straight into mine with an indescrib-
able fierceness.
why am l thus insulted2" inquired
Lady Malkinshaw, with slow and digni-
he'd sternness which froze the blood in my
veins. what do you mean by itY" con-
tinued her ladyship, with n sudden rapid
ity of utterance that quite took my breath
away.
Before / could demonstrate with nv
friend for visiting her natural irritation on
poor innocent me, before I could declare
that had seen the major actually open
ms garden gate to go away, the provoking
brutc's voice burst in on us again
"Ha, yes!' we heard him growl to him.
self in kind of shameless domestic so.
liloquy. Yes, yes, yes-Sophy was sick,
to be sure. Curious All Mrs. Namby's
stepchildren have weak chests and strong
stomachs. All Mrs. Namby's own chill.
dren have weak stomachs and strong
chests. have n strong stomach and a
strong chest. Pambyl''
" consider this" continued Lady NAL
kinshaw, literally glaring at me in the
fullness of her indiscriminate evaporation
u consider this to be unwarrantable
and unladylike, beg to know"-
Where's Bill?' burst in the major from
below before she could add another word.
"Matildal Nursel Pamby where's Bill?
didn't bid Bill goodby-hold him I'D Mt
the window, one of yOuI''
My dear Lady Malkinshaw," remon-
strated. "why blame me? What have
dones"
Done" repeated her ladyship. Done.
All that is most unfriendly, most unwar-
rantable, most unladylille, most"-
"Ha! ha! ha-a-al" roared the major,
shouting her ladyship down and stamping
about the garden in fits of fond parental
laughter. bill. my boy, how are your
There's young Turk for you'll Pull up
his frock-l want to see his Jolly legs'-
Lady Malkinshaw screamed and rushed
to the door. l sank into q chnir and
clasped my hands in despair.
"Ha ha ha-a-a-a What calves the
dogs got Pambyl look ut his calvesl
Aha bless his heart, his legs are the
model of his fathers The Mandy build.
Matilda the Mandy build, every inch of
him. Kick again. Bill-kick out like
mad. say, ma'am ! beg your pardon
ma'am -"
"Ma'am" l ran to the window. Was
the major actually daring to address LADY
Malkinshaw as she passed Indignantly on
her way out down my front garden He
was The odious monster was pointing
out his-his, what shall l say his I'M
draped offspring to the notice of my out
ragged visitor
Look at him, ma'am. If you're Judge
OF children, look at him. There's q two
year-older for you Hal hal ha-a-a-a
Show the lady your legs, Bill-kick out
for the lady, you dog, kick out r'-Wilkie
Collins.
Improbable. but True