Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-03-15

why can't ~ There is some indig-
nation in her tone. There's lots of
room here, isn't thereT
There is no roomt' says the profess
sor. This is the literal truth. 'The
house is full. And-and there are only
men here"
$50 much the betterr' says Perpetual
with little frown and great deal of
meaning. I'm tired of women-they re
horrid. You're always kind to me--at
least with a glance, you always used
to be, and you're a man! Tell one of
your servants to make me up Il room
somewhere"
There isn't one, says the professor.
"Oh! nonsense" says she, leaning back
in her chair and yawning softly. Pm
not SO big you can't put me away some
where. That woman says I'm so small
cause | can't grow up any more. Who'd
live with a woman like that? And l
shall grow more, shan't l|'
Il dare say" says the professor vague
~ but that is not the question 90 be
considered now. | must beg you to
understand Perpetua, that your staying
here is out Of the question:
"Out of the-Oh! | see,' cries sac,
springing to her feet and turning a pas
sionately reproachful face on him. You
mean that l shall be in your way here!'
mo, no, nor cries he, just rs i'm
pulsively, and decidedly very foolishly;
but the sight of her small mortified face
has proved too much for him. 'Only-"
"Only?' echoes the spoiled child, with
a loving smile-the child who has been
accustomed to have. all things and all
people give way to her during her short
life. ''Only you are afraid | shall not be
comfortable. But [ shall. And I shall
be great comfort TO you too-a
great help. / shall keep everything
in f0ts M 1hAr 4Ea
talk we had that last day you came to
Aunt James? how l told you of the
happy days we should have together, if
we were together. Well, we are to-
gether now, aren't we? And when I'm
twenty-one We'll move into big, big
house, and ask people to dances and din
ners and things. In the meantime"
she pauses and glances leisurely around
her. The glance is very comprehensive.
Tomorrow" says she with decision, Il
shall settle this roomr
The professors breath fails him. He
grows pale. To settle his room!
Perpetual" exclaims he, almost mar
ticulately, ''you don't understand"
Il do, indeed" returns she brightly.
i've often settled papa's den. What! do
you think me only a silly useless crea
ture? You shall see! I'll settle yon too,
by and by" She smiles at him gayly,
with the most charming innocence, but
on! WnaC aW1ul pfODaDlllC1oS lie Wltnln
her words. Settle him!
'Do you know I've heard people talk
ing about you at Mrs. Constants" says
she. She smiles and mods at him. The
professor groans. To be talked about!
To be discussed! To be held up TO vulgar
comment! He writhes inwardly. The
thought is actual torture to him.
''They said"
"What?' demands the professor; al
mo ST II n Ia
nine audience appreciate or condemn his
honest efforts to enlighten his small sec
ton of mankind!
''That you ought to be married. says
Perpetua, sympathetically. and they
said, too, that they supposed you
wouldn't ever be, now; but that it was
a great pity you hadn't a daughter /
think so too. Not about your having II
wife. That doesn't matter, but | really
think you ought to have a daughter TO
look after you"
This extremely immoral advice she de-
livers with a beaming smile.
S'Tll be your daughter" says she.
The professor goes rigid with horror.
What has he done that the Fates should
so visit him?
They said something else, too," goes
on Perpetua, this time rather an
grily. ."They said you were so clever
that you always looked unkempt. That"
thoughtfully,, means that you didn't
brush your hair enough. Never mind.
I'll brush it for you."
Look here!' says the professor furi-
ously,. subdued fury no doubt, but very
Sanguine. "You must go. you know. Co.
at once! Dye see? You can't stay in
this house, dye hear? l can't permit it.
What did your father mean by bringing
you up like thisv'
Like what?" She is staring at him.
She has leant forward as if surprised
and with a sigh the professor acknowl-
edges the uselessness of a fight between
them; right or wrong she is sure to win.
He is bound to go to the wall. She is
looking not only surprised, but unnerved
This ebullitiOn of wrath on the part of
her mild guardian has been a slight
shock to her.
''Tell meY' persists she.
Tell you! what is there to tell you?
| should think the verieSt infant would
have known she oughtn't to come here. }"
Il should think an infant would know
nothing" with dignity. "All your scien-
tific researches have left you, I'm afraid
the very first thing even an infant would
do, if she could walk, would be to- go
straight to her guardian when in trou-
ble''
cat this hour?''
cat any hour. What ''-throwing out
her hands eXpreSSlvely, lis guardian
for. if it isn't to take care of people?'
The professor gives it up. The heat
of battle has overcome him. With q
deep breath he drops into a chair, and
begins to wonder how long it will be
before happy death will overtake him.
But in the meantime, whilst sitting
on a milestone of life waiting for that
grim friend, what is to be done with
her? f-good heavens! if anyone had
seen her come in!
''Who opened the door for you?" de-
mands he abruptly.
"A great big fat woman with a queer
voice! your Mrs. Mulcahy, of course. l
remember your telling me about her.
Mrs Mulcahy undoubtedly. WE'LL the
professor wishes now that he had told
his ward more about her Mrs. Null
cahy he can trust, but she-awful
thought-will she trust him? What is
she thinking now?
81 said, Is Mr. Curzon at homer and
she said, We'll, niyer!' So saw she
was kindly, foolish, poor creature with
no sense, and l ran past her, and up
the stairs, and | looked into one room
where there were lights but you weren't
there, and then | ran on again until.
saw the light under your door, and, :"
L, -.x.I4o