The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-10-05

for the smooth-faced lad like yourself
And it you think Margaret has come
here only to trot up and downstairs to
do your bidding, you're vastly mistaken.
She's got her duty to learn as good
servant, and to try and repay your uncle
for taking her into his house, and that
won't leave her any leisure for fooling,
as you'll soon find out"
Mrs. Garrett had cautioned Peg not
to mention the police court and the
workhouse before Master Hamilton,
and she had placed the shame of her
antecedents so wildly before the girls
eyes that she sat by her side, mute as
mouse, lest by opening her mouth
she should commit some solecism, and
make Mrs. Garrett angry.
We'll, I suppose I can speak to her,
or what is she here for?'' cried Hamil-
ton, unabashed; "and we can play a
game of draughts together in the even
ings, or read the same book. It's twice
as jolly to read when you've got some
one to talk it over with
Young gentlemen aren't in the habit
of playing draughts with their uncle's
house-maids," quoth the housekeeper,
grimly.
That's good 'un! Don't play with
your
And Peg-that is, Margaret can't
read"
''I'll teach her." replied the lad, who
had taken violent fancy to the mass
of fiaxen curls and the large blue eyes,
from which the look of distress and
fear were already fading. Wouldn't
you like to learn, Peg?' he continued
to the girl.
Eyes, very much" said Peg, shyly.
'Her name is Margaret, and not Peg,
Master Hamilton
''Why, you said Peg yourself just
now; besides, it's a deal shorter and
easier to remember, and l mean to call
her by it, into the bargain"
You're saucy fellow, and I've
spoiled you altogether says Mrs. Gar
rett who only spoke the truth in say
ing so. The boy answered her by sit
ting down on her lap, and kissing her
cheek. He was a handsome, lively lad
with an insouciant air about him that
most people mistook for honesty. He
generally got his own way with the
housekeeper, who had known him from
a baby and therefore, as a rule, he be-
haved well to her; but if she thwarted
him in a single thing, however trif1ing,
he would fling himself out of the room
in a pet, and sulk for the next twenty
four hours. Mrs. Garrett, as she
watched him enter into eager converse
ton with Peg O'Reilly, and play with
her as though she had been his equal,
wished she had thought of asking Mr.
James whether his nephew had not bet
ter occupy the dining-room in the even
ings for the future 1t had been all
very we'll for him to sit in her little
apartment when there was no one but
his old nurse to wait upon him, but a
young girl about the place made things
different However, Mr.. James was
with his beloved Cannibals, and did
not return home that evening, so the
boy and girl, after the fashion of young
sters, had considerably advanced IN in
timacy before they retired to rest. On
the next morning, the whole occur
renee seemed to have passed out of
Ruthven's mind, for he eat his break
fast and rang for his boots before a
single word had been spoken between
Mrs. Garrett and himself respecting his
importation of the day before. But as
she saw he was about to leave the house
without attending to it, she made bold
to breach the subject.
About that young girl you brought
home yesterday, Mr.. James?'
"Oh, yes! By the way" he said care
Iessly, as if he had just recalled the
transaction, .how is she going on?''
pretty we'll, sir, considering all
things. She seems anxious to please
and willing to learn; but
But what, Mrs. Garrett? I'm in a
hurry, as usual.
do you wish Master Hamilton to
occupy my room of an evening, as he
has been used to do, sir?'
I'm sure I don't care. I leave all
these things to you, you know
Eyes, sir; but with a young girl in the
house.
docs she look dangerous, then?
Will she bite him?'
'Lor', Mr. James, you will have your
joke But don't you think it would be
more like a gentleman if Master Ham
ilton were to begin to occupy the upper
rooms, now that he is nearly as tall as
yourself. sir?" e.
"Put him just where you like, Mrs.
10 tiloc &c Il c,litc rcl11.