Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-11-15


gether. | quieted her down first, then |
had to battle her feet. such pretty I
pink little ones. but all torn AMI |
bruised. If you believe me. she had |
walked from ten miles this side OF
GCdalming. | got her some food and
gave her up my bed. and somehow or
other | got her back next day: she'd
have stayed on any terms. poor little
soul! Girls are queer fish, he said
mOGeStly. lone never can tell what'll
fetch them. 1t was all pretty hot on
the mother. however. so I gave her
the few shillings I had. and then she
wrote to say that the girl got fever
from the walk. so of course I've had
to help them, and regret to say my
boots have gone for q change to mine
uDcle's. I shall be paid on Friday.
and then III bloom back into pristine
glory and accept invitations.
i wonder" he went on refiectiyely.
''if there's any way Of keeping a fellow
from making a fool of himself If you
have happened to hear of any in your
travels. an anti-love philtre now. for
Heavens sake divulge it. it ruins ones
work getting in love in promiscuous
way, it's a brutal nuisance too. and
devilish expensive. | know | always
have to pay compound interest for my
pleasures in this line, and they're alb
solutely mawkish too, in their limo
cence" he added. with a little injured
sigh.
Strange watched the boy curiousiy
wondering what possible motive, or
train of motives. combined to keep his
life so clean, with it's every condition
on the side of uncleanlineSS.
''He has neither convictions nor re-
ligiOn to hold him, he is as passion
ate and sensual a fellow as any going
he is stepped to the lips in lola and
others Of that ilk; theoretically. inno-
cence and he are as far apart as the
poles. He is a fool, no doubt, but
wish to God the folly would last
Brydon guessed the elder mans
! thoughts, or perhaps his own were
running on the same lines, as he
sketched in the strong steady cool face
with a breadth of technique that was
marvellous in boy of his age and op-
pOrtunitieS-
Il wonder myself" he said. Il don't
make more of my pleasures. A fellow
has opportunities somehow" he added
with pleasing diffidence, mo matter
| how poor he is but l have a sort of
notion 1 might lose in art what
should gain in pleasure. 1t would be
idiotic to run that risk, wouldn't it?
1 have a sort of theory, it's probably
| rot though it has a sound of truth
about it, that the cleaner one keeps
ones body and soul, the clearer ones
eyes keep and the better able to tackle
| the truth in Nature"
He paused, little embarrassed; any
expression, even of the most primi-
tive morality. brings blush of shame
to the cheek Of youth.
''That sounds like a workable the
ory," assented Strange, "and upon my
word, L believe you will find it so. The
opposite is playing the deuce with the
modern Italian school, and it strikes
one like a blow in lot of the work of
| the youngsters there. l would thresh
out that theory. if I were you. nothing
half and half will do
NO." said Brydon ruefully, mo, that
| is where the grind comes in
Strange laughed. the fellows face
and accent fitted his speech so comicaE
! ly.
81 suppose l must let him get over
the boot business himself. he's so
beaStly cocky, but I'm convinced he's
! hungry. l wonder how much the jade
got out Of him! Charlie" he then said
aloud. 81 must be off. I shall expect
you on Friday at my club. If l were
you, old chap, 1 should stop that young
persons supplies. the fever must be
off her by this time
81 have a sort of awful conviction
that it's going to be intermittent, and
! that nothing but change of address
will have any effect upon it-but oh,
old man. if you could have seen that
girl" he concluded regarding her head
mournfully. with his own on one side,
and with an overwhelming longing for
Egyptian fesh-pots surging up within
| him.
| Strange slapped him on the shoulder.
"Just as we'll as not, fevers come ex-
pensive, whether they take you, or the
| victim to your charms. Goodbye"
To Be Continued.