Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-04-15

>oVls ''*''@
AT THIS MOMENT GERTRUDE EN-
TERED.
spoons and forks had long ago lost tiny
plating they might have possessed; thick
mugs took the place of glasses, and as
Gertrude looked vainly for a servlette,
she noticed that all traces of comfort
had been removed from the coach, leav-
ing its match boarding bare and ugly.
| don't believe in the use of animals
for food SIR" Seccombe said. apollo
getically, as Jarvis entered with the
soup, land my daughter-whO shares my
opinions-and live entirely upon
vegetarian diet"
thrive upon it." answered Foxwell, with
sickly gallantry, looking at Gertrude,
who moved uneasily in her chair, see
ing clearly that her fathers comedy had
already gone too far to be stopped by
any protest on her part.
Jarvis set down the soup; trembling
Gertrude raised the first spoonful to her
lips. 1t was like greasy pink water,
with q faint favoring of onion that had
done duty in countless previous soups,
which was almost OyerpoWered by
dash of tartaric acid.
This is tomato soup, sir" said Sec
combe Il hope you like it,
''Pah!" said Foxwell, sit is disgust
ing"
A haricot and tomato pie followed, and
again the strong taste of tartaric acid
contracted Gertrude'S throat and filled
her eyes with water; the paste was like
plaster of paris.
This was made on thoroughly hy-
gienic and vegetarian principles, sir,
said Seccombe; mo fat, only flour and
cocoanut butter" as he finished his pie
clio e tlO.n toh
ut might be covered with stone,
FoXwell exclaimed, angrily, yainly try
ing to break the crust upon his plate
His fork slipped and plate and pie rolled
on the floor Hang he shouted
glaring at Seccombe, who smiled bland
ly. Gertrude's eyes were resolutely fixed
upon a grease spot on the tablecloth.
a cheese pudding, consisting of sew
eral singed Jumps of cheese imbedded
in a watery custard, brought forth a
string of uncomplimentary observations
upon vegetarianism in general, and the
meal in particular, from the Seccombe's
guest. whose face, however, cleared with
dish of stewed cranberr;es. "Ah!'
he cried, something one can eat, at
last"
Jarvis expression as he placed a small
glass dish containing a white liquid in
front of Foxwell attracted Gertrude's
attention. 1t was so preternaturaly stol-
id, and that, with glance of intelligence
between master and man, caused her TO
wonder to what lengths the farce was to
be carried.
All cream; very good,' said FoxweIl,
helping himself literally from the dish
before him and then pushing it over to
Gertrude, excellent with stewed fruit"
A burning pang shot through Fox
wells mouth and throat at the first
mouthful.
Hang it all, man, do you want to poi
son me % he cried. jumping up with such
suddenness that he upset the chair, the
tears running down his cheeks.
Gertrude rose, too, an angry flush
upon her face, but sat down again at an
imperative gesture from her father.
''Horseradish is good for the blood :
said Seccombe, quietly.
EYES," echoed Gertrude: 'horseradish
is good for the blood" And, ignoring
FoXwell, she walked out of the van
An awkward silence followed. which
after few minutes was broken by Jar
Wis.
Lady Gertrude would be glad if you
would go to her, my lord" he said to
Seccombe. "She is in her COACH
Seccombe frowned, and glanced ap-
prehensively at Foxwell as he left the
table. Five minutes later Jarvis re-
turned, saying: Lord Amberthorpe
and Lady Gertrude Seccombe will be
much obliged if Mr.. Foxwell will ex-
cuse them"
FoxwelIs jaw fell. There was no
need to question Jarvis. whose stolid-
ity had given place to triumphant
centric Lord Amberthorpe and his
daughter, who lived in a caravan and
pretended to forget their titles and he,
Percival FoxweH, had openly scoffed at
the father, had patronized the daugh-
ter, and to complete his fatu0usness,
had as openly sworn at their food.
Visions of what might have been had
he only heard their name flashed across
his agitated mind; but the situation
was impossible, and, Selling his hat.
the scion of the soapboiler withdrew
with as much dignity as he could mus
ter under Jarvis expression Of contemp-
tuOuS amusement.
Il am sorry to have been obliged to
shatter your ideal so ruthlessly. Ger
trude." Lord Amberthorpe said next
morning to his daughter, "'but I have
heard OF the young man. and thought
prompt measures necessary. [ can only
hope that the strong medicine has cured
you OF any wish to be merely mediocre,
and to be hedged in by the thousand re-
stnctlons such man as FoxWel or
dams for woman-of his own class
Yes; | am quite cured, thank you
tie of respecta bility behaved abonina-
bly," --''A'''
That day Lord Amberthorpe wrote to
his nephew, Lord Archdale:
Gertrude was suddenly smitten with an
unusual disease week ago. ferventlv de-
string to spend the rest of her existence in
the most approved suburban manner 4
drastic cure has been effected, and if Won
are wise you will come down at once and
catch her on the rebound
Some years later Lady ArchdaIe con
fessed to her father that she had found
that man possessed of right Instincts
and no theories made a most admirable
husband.