The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-08-05
~ a. CONAN DOYLE

efN&' NNN. u 10 lhlS SuuueH cUtlu-
siasm about chemistry, Ida p"
"Oh, L am trying to live up to Mrs.
Westmacott's teaching"
quite right! quite right said he.
though perhaps with less heartiness
than he had shown the day before.
"Ah, here is breakfast at last.'
But nothing vas comfortable that
morning. There were eggs without
egg-spoons. toast which was leathery
from being kept. dried-up rashers. and
grounds in the coffee. Above all. there
was that dreadful smell which pervaded
everything and ave a horrible twang
to every mouthful.
Il don't wish to put a damper upon
your studies. Ida" said the Doctor. as
he pushed back his chair. But L do
think 1t would be better If you did Your
chemical experiments a little later in
the day
But Mrs. Westmacott says that
women should rise early, and do their
work before breakfast"
Then they should choose some other
room besides the breakfast-room." The
Doctor was becoming just a little
RULED. A turn in the open air would
soothe him. he thought. Where are
my boots?" he asked.
But they were not in their accustomed
corner by his chair. Up and down he
searched, while the three servants took
up the quest, STOPPING and peeping un-
der bookcases and drawers. Ida had
returned to her studies, and Clara to
her b~lue-covered volume, sitting alb
sorbed and disinterested amid the bus
tie and the racket. AT last a general
buzz of congratulation announced that
the cook had discovered the boots hung
up among the hats in the hall. The
Doctor, very red and clustered, drew
them on, and stamped off to join the
Admiral In his morning walk.
AS the door slammed Ida burst into
a shout OF laughter. You see, Clara"
she cried, 1.-THE charm works already.
He has gone to number one instead Of
TO number three. Oh, we shall win a
great victory. You've been very good,
dear; l could see that you were on
thorns to help him when he was look
ing for his boots"
Poor papa! 1t is so cruel. And yet
what are We to do?"
"Oh, he will enjoy being comfortable
all the more if we give him a little dis
comfort now What horrible work this
chemistry is! Look at my frock! 1t is
ruined. And this dreadful smell!' She
threw open the window, and thrust her
little golden-curled head out of it..
Charles Westmacott was hoeing at the
other side of the garden fence.
Good morning, sir" said Ida.
Good morning. The big man leaned
upon his hoe and looked up at her.
"HaVa Won cio rattac Ioc 81
Yes, certainly"
Throw me up two"
Here is my case. Can you catch?"
A seal-skin case came with a soft thud
on to the floor. Ida opened it. 1t was
full.
What are these?' she asked.
Egyptians"
What are some other brands"
"Oh, Richmond Gems, and Turkish,
and Cambridge. But why?'
Never mind!' She nodded to him
and closed the window. 1--WE must re-
member all those. Clara said she.
w must learn to talk about the
brands Of cigarettes. Has your rum
come"
Yes, dear. 1t Is here"
And / ave my stout. Come along
up to my room now. This smell Is too
abominable. Ia we must be ready for
him when he comes back. II we sit at
the window we shall see him coming
down the road"
The fresh morning air. and the genial
company Of the Admiral had caused
the Doctor to forget his troubles, and
he came back about midday in an ex-
cellent humor. AS he opened the hall
door the vile smell Of chemicals which
had spoilt his breakfast met him with
a virulence. He threw open
the hall window, entered the dining
ROOM. n stood aghast at the sight
which met his eyes.
Ida was still sitting among her bot
ties, with a lit cigarette in her left hand
and a glass of stout on the table beside
her. Clara. with another cigarette, was
l%ounging in the easy chair with several
maps spread out upon the floor around.
Her feet were stuck up on the coal scut-
tie. and she had a tumblerful of some
reddish-brown composition on the
smoking table close at her elbow. The
Doctor gazed from one to the other of
them through the thin gray haze Of
smoke, but his eyes rested finally in a
settled stare of establishment upon his
elder and more serious daughter.
Clara he gasped, Il could not have
believed it,"
What is it, papa?"
You are smoking!"
Trying to. papa. I find it a little
difficult, for / have not been used to
it,"
But why, in the name of goodness
Mrs. Westmacott recommends it,"
"Oh, a lady Of mature years may do
many things which a young girl must
avoid