The record-union., 1895-05-04
Wild ROSES.

''Kath, you're to sing at the concert this
evening""
THAT'S SO likely, isn't it ?n
Likely or not. it's true. Mrs. Arbuth-
not is indisposed, and you'll have to take
her place"
81 sha'n'tw
"You must. Father says So"
Father says" was the hight of per-
emptoriness with the young Ivesons. 1t
was case of Humphrey with his fall"
MIR. Iveson's name was Humphrey. by
the way, and his will was never dis
puted.
kath, swinging in the hammock under
the apple tree, now rolled out on terra
frma, and stood aghast at the announce
ment made by her brother.
"What! Stand up and sing IN front OF
all those people? l couldn't get squeak
out edgewaysW
You've got to try. then," was the
terse rejoinder. ,r
''Oh, it's only chatting you are!' hatn
turned away contemptuously.
pm not chatting, really, kath."
The broad grin OF delight on the boy
ish face was subdued. He tried hard to
prove to her that he was In earnest
II don't believe it," said kath again.
''Father does good many mad things,
but he'd never make me stand up to
make laughing-slock oil myself before
all the natives OF Alchester."
''Kath, he has done msdder thing
than that" Brian perched himself on
the top OF the garden fence. and shook his
curly head deprecatingly. HE Is going
to bring MIR. Trevosso down from Lon
don with him this afternoon to dine, go
to the concert and stay the night
"Mr. Treyosso! The head OF the firm
of Treyosso IL Partridge? Who told you
so?''
ESTHER; she has just had telegram
from father"
GOOD gracious! He'll be asking the
Prince Of Wales to dine and sleep here
next"
Under the stress of emotions called
forth by the dual announcement. kath' 8
feet slid from under as she leaned back
against the trunk of the tree, and she sat
down on the grass with dull thud.
Take carev' Brian warned her.
"Don't shake yourself like that again, or
you'll injure your vocal organs"
Pm not going to sing"
"You are You must"
81 WON'T"
wv hat in the world are you two wran-
CLING about now?'
this juncture; a tall GIRL with mass OF
rich, copper-colored hair gathered in a
loose knot at the nape of her neck.
kathleen, you and Brian are always
squabbling-Pm ashamed OF you! Brian.
you ought to be at Mr.. Ruddock's by tnis
time; and youo-turning to her young sis
ter with marked displeasure-"ought to
H. "a !, f<,r
the visitor father intends to bring home
with him this evening""
For your benefit, eh, Hermia?" ques-
toned Brian slyly, taking stock OF his
tall sister from top to toe. and falling into
mock transports OF delight.
"Impertinent boy! AS If l care whether
Mr. Trevosso comes or not"
Hernia walked on disdainfully, her
head held up very high, her gloved hand
carefully holding up her dainty skirts
that they might not come in contact with
the ground.
Hernia was the beauty of the Iveson
family; she knew it, and deported her.
self accordingly. The others might go
on short commons; Esther might work
her fingers to the bone, and scrape and
save to keep up the necessary appear
ance OF respectability; Kath might roam
about in her old serge or cotton frocks
and battered straw hats day in, day out;
but Hernia was always the picture OF
loveliness.
where are you going. Hermy?"
queried kath.
1t never occurred to her to wonder why
she was to be dispatched to the domestic
regions, while Hernia was in her best
clothes. and to all appearances on pleas
ure bent.
TO the reading-room," was the serene
reply. II promised to help Mr.. Dayle
with the decorations for tonight. By
the-bye, Kathleen, father has promised
MI. kuddock that you'll take Mrs. Ar
buthnots place. You had better practice
up on one or two of your best SONGS"
"Hermy, [ can'tW gasped Kath, disre-
garding Brian's show of delight at mis-
own statement being thus verified.
Hernia shrugged her shoulders.
You must do your best, L suppose. OF
course you'll make muddle OF it, but it
can't be helped. Such folly of father to
promise without speaking to US about it;
he might know what a figure you'll
make on the concert PLATFORM
Help Dayle with the decorations, eh ?'
quoth Brian, with a malicious grin, when
the pink crepon frock and big picture
hat had almost passed out of sight. "a