Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-12-22

PoOP4e WOUAu uEAV0 any one 1r3uGlC anu II
you can't bring matters to a crisis the vii
lago soon will and condemn that calf as a
public nuisance
With this parting shot, Miss Minna
moved mournfully forward, and Mrs. Mer-
ington stamped away.
AS she entered the Willoughby gate she
could see the ample, light hearted mistress
Of tho household busily plying a rake
by, with pen still moist in his hand and
his usual, anxious, absorbed expression of
countenanoe, stood on the doorstep. At
sight Of Miss Minna, after cordial greet
ing, lie plunged into the subject upper
most in her heart.
'She's busy raking up after the calf"
he said. ''Lots of that to do all the time
Great institution, that calf"
"Ah," thought Miss Minna, with
bound of hope, ''this is my opportunity.
And a smile lit up her face. eyes, that's
just what was thinking, Mr. Willoughby.
1 came over to ask Mrs Willoughby to
lunch on Friday, but I thought at the
SAME time would speak of, say, borrow.
Ing, the borrowing 1t just at this
time, you know, when it could have such
a splendid run through our big paddock
In the spring all calves long for freedom
and will burrow at everything, you know,
If they haven't lots of Space
"Bless your heart" said Mr. Willough-
by cheerily, "nothing of the kind. Spring
makes no difference. This calf Is always
cheerful, always burrowing-torn up ev-
erything from the day we got her. Chill
dren adore her. Let her go every where she
wants. do what she pleases"
HHoi uhOp1 oacned Mro W}l1o,, -bbx,
joining tho group, her buxom figure and
good natured face betraying results of
hard exertion. "I'm so glad to see you,
Miss Gascoigne. I've boon raking up aftor
the calf 1t has a perfect mania for the
hydrangeas.
"How is the calf, Mrs Willoughby9
You know I've never seen her since Xmas
day."
ooh, flourishing. I should say it Is
dourishing-got life and energy enough
for six calves. never see it myself, that's
fact. But see it's traces, and it certain
ly must be the 1iveliest, strongest calf that
over was born. It tears up everything"
"Yes,,' said Miss Minna, spice of
acidity in her tone which no amount of
the Willoughby ignorant amiability could
induce her to repress, II have just heard
that it got into Mr.. Merington's studio
and tore everything to bits, MIR. Merington's
hat included" .
Ibid itg'' said Mrs willoughby genial
ly, not a ruffle disturbing her face "Thats
just the way it does everywhere. just
yesterday it demolished the cooks bon
net.;'
swell, it's been a great boon to us, any
way" said Mr.. Willoughby. "We hardly
Geo the children since we've had it, Don't
let it get at my papers, my love, today.
They re strewn about there. I must be off.
Perhaps you'd better lock the door?''
Despair was settling in Miss Minna's
breast One might as we'll come in contact
with a stone wall as with the Willoughby
understanding. "Do you think, Mrs. Will
loughby,' she said timidly, that it
wouldn't be well-your place is small, you
lnow-to take Christmas over to our place
for a little change? I always" said Miss
Minna, steeling herself to the falsehood,
"intended to ask you that when weather
like this came round.''
"Let her 60? My dear, not for day.
j. couldn't keep house with the children.
And as for room, why, my dear child, that
calf isn't confined to. this place. Why, it
goes all round the country. There could
not possibly he another calf with any thing
like the freedom. Oh, no. said Mrs Will
loughby wagging her head with determi-
nation; 1--WE will never, never part with
the calf
"You will come on Friday, then," said
Miss Minna, who felt that she could not
stand two seconds longer of this, or possibly
take IL view Of the calf.
She made her round of calls, and Mt ev-
cry house size entered she had to sit and
listen to more recitals of damage done by
the calf, more pleadings that she would
take some prompt action, and moro and
more revilings of "those needless, headless,
reckless Willoughbys.
With sense of hopeless depression, she
made her way home. The world just then
looked very black, for it was a character
istic of Miss Minna to take a darby gloomy
view of even ordinary trials, and the case
of the calf she felt to be no ordinary trial
whatever. AS she turned up tho avenue
che heard hurrying footstep behind her,
and looking up found Greville beside her.
II thought would run out this morn
tng-that you wouldn't mind having me
to lunch. I thought probably that might
do something-that you might be worried
THAT, in fact, you might have seen the
calf
~ haven't seen her." said Miss Minna
sadly. II don't think could bear to, but
I've heard erything-more even than
you suspect. Oh, Mr.. Greville, would
give anything in the world to get that calf
backl'
II appreciate your feelings, and 1 feel
deeply, deeply sorry for you," said Greville
earnestly. Very handsome and manly he
looked, tho, as he said it, looking down
alphabetically with his blue eyes into
Miss Minna's gray ones. It nattered little
to Greville, the cause petty or great, Of
Miss Minna's sorrow. She was the wona-
an he loved, and sorrow in her from any
cause reused his every instinct of chivalry
and emotion.
"You are the only one, believe" she
said, "who has, any real sympathy with
me.'
Jack came bounding across the lawn.
"Have you-oh, have you,' he said,
humping his sides as If from some most
5ovial recollection, ''seen the calf1'
"Have you seen itp'' was Miss Minna's
question put anxiously in reply.
Eyes, down at the station. It was polk
Ing its nose in at the ticket Office. It had
trailing vine painted on it's back and a
sunfloweR on its forehead. BY lingo, new.
or saw such q beauty guess twas look.
ing fora ticket to New York. Must be
about tired Of the suburbs"
-
The spring days were lengthening into
summer: The calf had come to be ta-
booed subject in the Percy household At
mention Of any calf Miss Minna's face
dropped into gloomy melancholy, and Mr..
Percy displayeda Suitability which
sometimes resulted in his getting up and
laavinn the ,ron,ost Tho truth rr,oc 4l.,4 &l,x,