Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-12-26

here only to trot up and downstairs to
do your bidding, you're vastly mistaken.
Shes got her duty to learn as a good
servant, and to try and repay your uncle
for taking her into his house, and that
won't leave her any leisure for fooling,
as you'll soon find out"
Mrs. Garrett had cautioned Peg not
to mention the police court and the
Work-house before Master Hamilton,
and she had placed the shame of her
antecedents so wildly before the girls
eyes that she sat by her side, mute as
mouse, lest by opening her mouth
she should commit some solecism, and
make Mrs. Garrett angry.
We'll, I suppose I can speak to her,
Or what is she here for?" cried Hamil-
ton, unabashed; land we can play a
game of draughts together in the even
ings, or read the same book. It's twice
as jolly to read when you've got some
one to talk it over with
Young gentlemen aren't in the habit
of playing draughts with t1eir uncle's
house-maids," quoth the housekeeper,
grimly.
your
"And Peg-that is, Margaret can't
read"
'Ill teach her, replied the lad, who
had taken a violent fancy to the mass
of fiaxen curls and the large blue eyes,
| from which the look OF distress and
fear were already fading. Wouldn't
you like to learn, Peg?'' he continued
to the girl.
Eyes, very much,'' said Peg, shyly.
Her name is Margaret, and not Peg.
Master Hamilton
| why, you said Peg yourself just
now; besides, it's a deal shorter and
easier to remember, and mean to call
her by it, into the bargain
you're a saucys9 fellow, and I've
spoiled you altogether" says Mrs. Gar
rett, who only spoke the truth in say
ing so. The boy answered her by sit
ting down on her lap, and kissing her
cheek. He was handsome, lively lad,
with an insouciant air about him that
most people mistook for honesty. He
generally got his own way with the
housekeeper, who had known him from
a baby, and therefore, as a rule, he be-
haved well to her; but if she thwarted
him in single thing, however trif1ing.
he would fling himself out of the room
in pet, and sulk for the next twenty
four hours. Mrs. Garrett, as she
watched him enter into eager converse
ton with Peg O'Reilly, and play with
her as though she had been his equal.
wished shes had thought of asking Mr.
James whether his nephew had not bet
ter occupy the dining-roem in the even
ingS for the future. It had been all
very we'll for him to sit in her little
apartment when there was no one but
his old nurse to wait upon him, but a
young girl about the place made things
different. However. Mr.. James was
with his beloved Canniba1s, and did
not return home that evening, so the
boy and girl, after the fashion of young
sters, had considerably advanced in in
timacy before they retired to rest. On
the next morning, the whole occur
renee seemed to have passed out of
Ruthven's mind, for he eat his break
fast and rang for his boots before a
single word had been spoken between
Mrs. Garrett and himself respecting his
importation of the day before. But as
she saw he was about to leave the house
without attending to it. she made bold
to breach the subject.
ABOUT Inat young girl !ou Drought
, home yesterday. Mr.. James?"
ooh, yes! By the way he said care
4 lessly, as if. he had just recalled the
transaction. chow is she going on2"
Pretty well, sir, considering all
Things She seems anxious To please
. and willing to learn: but
"But what, Mrs. GARRETT I'm in q
, hurry, as usual
> do you wish Master Hamilton te
! occupy my room of an evening, as be
has been used to do. sire''
I'm sure I don't care. I leave al
these things to you. you know
, Eyes, sir; but with a young girl In ths
house.
Does she look dangerous. then
Will she bite hima"
sLor'. Mr.. James. you will have YOU
, joke. But don't you think it would BIZ
more like gentleman if Master Ham
ilton we're to begin to occupy the upper
rooms, now that he is nearly as tall a:
yourself, sir?"
= .sPut him just where you like. Mrs
, Garrett-on the tiles, il it suits your
convenience. leave everything Il
you," reiterated Ruthven, as he left thu
t house.
r The upshot Of which was that ths
housakeeper. having communicated ths