Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-08-25
OH A pI'ER LII

"Madcap" cried Dounc. rs, coming
quickly into the breakfaSt-roOm, he
found his sister there alone: what are
YOU doing here 50 early: l thought you
and Lady Ann never rose till nine?"
Then you have thought wrong"
said Madcap. turning shoulder. not a
cheek, 10 DouneS offered kiss; though
10 be sure. | wonder YOU took the troll-
bic to think at al on the subject"
Have | neglected you, Madcap?'
said the young fellow. remorsefully
But you see | have never stayed in
town before: and there is SO much to
speak,
But you never listen to me-" said
Madcap, who had kept bone to pick
With her brother these five years and
now produced it. 1T is always read,
read; learn, learn; but no pouring out,
no passing on of your treasures to
other folks. Have you ever thought
how utterly selfish, how demoralizing
all this reading iS?'
But | have not read at all lately
said the dark. ever brilliant-eyed young
man: Il only look on and listen-''
But why can't you TALK" cried Mad
cap, stamping her foot like little
fury. but laughing all the while.
When l was little, you talked rig
marolcs to me by the hour, but when
| grew up and began to get strong
and and stout" she added, glancing
at Il mirror that showed her slim pro
portions, you took to those Wretched
books, and never thought of me
again."
Didn't l.? he said, with something
of the old boyish ring Of jealousy in
his voice. Well, perhaps I found out
long ago that father is first with you
and the rest nowhere"
when did you find that out?' said
Madcap. turning round. and showing
Il very happy face in spite of her
wrongs.
! 80! by bits" said her brother. mood
! ly. as he walked to the other window
and looking out; 'but I've learned my
lesson somehow, though 1 did not dis
cover it in my books
And you love me better than them?'
she said, drawing near.
And you love me as we'll as father%
said her brother. facing round.
"Yes-only different"
There was time" said the youns
man looking ut her with dissatisfied
eyes, when nothing would induce yol
to put one of us before the other; Dat
and Doony' you would say when asked
which you liked best; but now"
Have l neglected you, dear?" sht
said. using his own question, as SHIT
came close to him and took his Ions
supple hand-the hand of a scholar ant
a thinker.
'Peraps." he said, 1--WE have boil
something to blame ourselves with OF
that score. And every day that l liv'
/ miss my mother more and more
But that is not your fault; and, to b.
sure, neglected You once for Gordon
just as now, when father is out of tn
way, you neglected me for him.
For Gordon?" she said, as she stoo'
on tiptoe. TO kiss her brothers cheek
20. poor Gordon. Ask him, and he vii
tell you if I prefer his company t
, yours"
Poor Gordon, indeed!' said Dount
looking 1T her with some rebuke; -
better fellow never lived. and if yo
are going to treat him badly"
Come to the Park with us thi
: morning and see for yourself how
: treat him" said Malcap. feeling haI
: pier in her home-treaSures than sh
5 had done for years, and put all thos
/ fusty books out of your head, and fol
get all your first-class honors for tn
I next three monthsr'
9 The honors are easily forgotten,
said DoJne. with one OF those raj
:. smiles that made him more than eve
e like his father But l can't forswea
my books, Madcap. any more than 20
e could your woods"