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

tation to pick it. But the only place
from which [ could reach it was the
bottom branch of an oak that stretched
right over the hedge. 1t was quite
low branch" she added, quickly, as Sec
combe raised his eyebrows. L scrambled
up the tree and out to the end of the
branch. The rose was between my fin
gers when l slipped, my dress caught
in the top of the hedge, and the next
moment l was suspended like q fairy in
a pantOmime, between earth and sky.
1t was not in the Least funny for me, SO
please don't laugh. l hoped the skirt
would give way, but, of course, it did
nothing of the kind. and [ was helpless
think of it, daddie, absolutely helpless.
| hung there. it seemed to me. for half
an hour, until I heard footsteps in the
garden behind me. OF course, [ called,
and a charming young man appeared. |
couldn't see his face, but | explained my
difficulty and directly afterwards [ was
standing up to my knees in green mud
in the ditch Then he helped me out. 1t
was little awkward, wasn't it,"
Every. What did he say?'
''That respectable young women should
not climb trees, nor should they steal
flowers. And now [ entirely agree with
him. [ have seen him every day since,
and really, daddie, he is giving me g
fresh outlook upon life
Again Seccombe roared with laughter.
"And the name of your tooter?''
"Perciyal Foxwel. His father bought
| Meldrum when our old friends the Tas-
| SingtonS were bankrupt"
"Ah. yes, | remember having heard
| of this young man. A prig of the first
water. SO the son of the soapboiler has
| taken to preaching the gospel of respecta-
| bility, and makes disciples of the pretty
| girls he finds hanging on his father
quickest hedges. Did he smell?"
Father
81 thought he might. His father is
always living advertisement of Fox
wells Superfne Scented Toilet
Gertrude bit her lips. 'Percival Fox
well is most conservative" she went on,
irrelevantly, "and says that one of the
greatest evils of the age is the license
allowed to women. He thinks the wom-
en- of two generations ago much more
| admirable and more WOmanly than those
| OF today, and speaks quite beautifully
| of wives being content to order their
| husbands homes instead Of throwing
! themselves into every ephemeral move
ment of the moment"
This young man should be interest
| ing" Philip SeccOmbe said, looking
| thoughtfully at his daughter 'Ask him
! to dinner. But what will Archdale say
to this admiration for Percival Fox
well?'
Gertrude laughed uneasily GA man
should have theories" she answered
|
"a man possessed of right instincts
such as Archdale would make better
husband. Gertrude, than a puppy who
airs silly theories, chiefly expounded
by hysterical old women, in order to
differ from his fellows"
You are a trife previous, father
dear" Gertrude replied, coldly, ''and just
little rude"
PART II.
Percival Foxwell accepted the invita-
ton to dinner.
The girl is most superior he said
to himself, ''but the father, | expect is
of different stamp. One so often sees
! that sort of thing nowadays, superficial
refinement in the second generation
the gift of the board schools, covering
| innate commences of mind, the gift
of the parents" Mr. FoxweIl had con
veniently forgotten the existence of his
father, the worthy saopboiler, whose
/ strldent tones, innocent alike of as
! pirates or grammar, were even then
echoing through the stables at Nell
drum hall
"WelI. my man. how are you?" Fox
| we'll asked, patronizingly, as he clam
! bered up the steps into the caravan, Il
am very pleased to dine with you. very
! pleased. | suppose, though, you call it
supper when you are by yourselves"
! Philip Seccombe frOWned, then said
| humbly: ut is very kind of you, sir, TO
honor us. My daughter told me how in
! terested you were in our caravan, and I
| lived, SO | presumed to ask"
"Oh. that is all right, my good fell
! low" FoxwelI answered