The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-13

"A poGr' GAsPED MISS BETHIA.
throwing themselves in his way Watch
ing him off the grounds on Friday morn
ing. the two ladies walked TO the In
stitute and entered. Mrs. Macpherson's
assistant was on her knees scrubbing
the tiled floor of the hall, while the
housekeeper. her back stiff with indig-
nation, was doing something to the stair
with short-handled brush.
ats his doug. men," she replied.
yesterday morning he goes down 10
the inn as usual. and comes back at din
ner time with that beast. Itsscratched
n the paint off the doors, and worried
the poor cat out of its seven senses, an
has been rufnin' out and in WI muddy
feet a day."
"A dog!" gnsped Miss Bethia, and "a
dog," echoed Miss Colina.
"Yes. men," replied Mrs. Macpherson.
rratified at the sensation her news had
produced. "But that's no the worst.
Just come in here an see what'na house
he keeps"
The drawing-room. so trig two days
before, revealed painful trace of bis
short occupancy. Mr.. Colquhoun was
obviously in the habit of reclining with
his feet on the chairs or against the
,mntelpiece or elsewhere; and hole
Vas burned in the new carpet. while sun
dry stains dishgured the tablecloth.
An empty beer bottle stood on the table.
nnd volume of Macaulay's History of
England. with several of the pages torn
out for pipe lights. lay open within easy
reach of the smokers hand.
"The lassie there" indicating the rosy
checked maid who was listening open
uiouthed in the rear. sis fair terrified
for him. She'll no gang near haund
him, he's that licht in his manners till
her. And his clothes are jist awfu'.
mem. he hasna' so much as comb in the
way O. toilet things!"
Really, Bethia," said Colina, speak
Ing with unwonted spirit, 'we must not
tolerate him day longer. You know
we meant to find home for refined
though unfortunate men not for
roughs like this. do wish you would
turn him out at once"
hout?" cried coarse voice from the
doorway. 1t was the inmate, his face
redder than ever, his restless eyes
bloodshot. A black bottle was under
his arm. and an ugly bulldog growlcd
Mt his heels.
81 am" replied Miss Bethia, with re-
turn of her old decision. "Your behavior
hoo ~ ",
accordance with the rules of the In
stitute. and am compelled TO ask you
to leave at once. You have been die
orderly in manner, rude 20 the servants,
and you do not conform to the rules
"Rulcsl O. yes" reterted the man. irn-
pudently. "there's one rule as | meon'
10 conform TO right enough. and that th'
very first. Look wot il says" and
pointing a thick forefnger ut tie
printed copy of rules hanging upon ,hc
wall he read out slowly: "Hevcry ap
plicant deemed fully qualified and had
mitted to the Colquhoun Institute is er'
titled 10 remain there for life.".A
"See? that's me! I'm lifer. tsn
Here is and here stops. Put me hou
II you can"
"Come away. Bethia. don't listen {,
his insolcnce Telegraph for Mr.. Nel
drum 10 come and evict him." whis
pered Miss Colina.
mo. Colina. will manage this af1ai
without the help of MIR. Meldrrm O
anyone else" replied her sister brayel!
adding in louder tone: You mus
prepare 10 leave here before twelv
O'Clock tomorrow. and IL you don't &
guieuy-" She paused.
The inmate. who was sprawling on I'll
sofa. his dusty boots ON the cushion
and his dog by his side. serencly finishe
the sentence for her: III I don't q
quietly. you'll come and turn me hou
All right. I'm willin,. Thank y
IDissis."
Miss Bethia's heart was in her moui
the following day. when. from the =
pented secret bulletins which passed b
tween the Institute and Rirkmoy. by {
,or OF Mrs. Macpherson's "lassic." sl
learned that Ms. Coiquhoun gave !
svn OF departure. To add 10 his bla'
l.si. be had rot drunk ~ the villal
tavern on the pre'ous night. and hs
assisted on the housekeeper prosidiI