Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-01-07

tr x
zana stared at Her Unbidden Guest
rather tough, isn't it, Mother Ratten:"
Tough or tender, it's true" retorted
Mrs. Ratten sharply
"All right, Mother H." laughed the
girl. Have il your own way. She
don't drink much champagne. does
sheg'
No. she replied sulkily, ''of course
she doesn't"
Miss Ritzclarence smiled approx
iRgiy.
''IIl tell you what IL is she remark
ed after Il pause, "Ill just look In upon
this young woman or yours and see
what she has To say OF herself"
Mrs. Eatten at first demurred TO this
/ proposal upon The grounds that the
| f~eclusa might take fright at her Wis
( itor's somewhat tremendously manner,
aud seek apartments elsewhere. Bat,
upon the Eitter's assurance that she
! wonld be upon her very best behavior.
she ut length consented 10 the expert
ment being made.
Zana vas staring aimlessly into the
{ ttsrttRA1 GNAtNl> Vs. dAt2lAA"~| US Ns-S
when she was aroused by a succession
OF vigorous raps sat the door.
Rome in" she said wearily; and
Miss Fitzclarence entered. still clad IA
the peign0ir, but looking very neat and
| cheerful.
II ara Daisy Fitzclapnce." she be-
gan. Il occupy the roonl below these.
You know, and as we are fellow lodg-
crs / thought | ought 10 give you u
lookup"
Zaua stared nj her mbidden visitor
in unaffected surprise. OF English GUS
I tons she knew little or nothing; per-
haps 1t was usual for strangers living
la the s;iIne house thus 70 strike up
acquaintance. She would far rather
BE- left alone, but she did not wish 10
appear ehuriish, and it really seemed
kindly meant on the part Of this yell
low-haired girl thus 10 enliven her soil
tude.
-It IS very good OF you,' she STAN
inered a little awkwarily, land I'm
sure you mean 10 be ldnd. but"
But, upon the whole, you'd rather
lave nay room than my company, ehg:'
interrupted Daisy EitZclarcnce with u
merry laugh. Il see. You're IL bit
down on your luck, as We all are at
times. Bur | say. you know fretting
by yourself won't mead matters, and
il the worst thing possible for the
complexion. Do you know what I do
when I feel down in the mouthr'
No. said Zana. not knowing what
else 10 reply nor what 10 do under this
unexpected invasion.
Il just have a pint OF Moct on my
own" explained Daisy.
II don't quite understand you fail
tered Zana.
Nor Well. in plain English. II you
VIII authorize me TO order Il bottle Of
champagne at yoar expense III help
| you to drink it,
Il very seldom touch WINE" SAIL
Zana, utterly bewildered by the cool
audactty of this proposal: hut Ii you
wish Tor some. pray order IT,"
Daisy needed no second telling and
at once set the bell into lively motion.
Now. then, Mother r." she cried,
when the landlady appeared In answe
TO the summons. Just bring us a bot
tie OF Moet in record time. l am pre-
scribing for Miss Clifford"
Mrs. Ratten INDUCED in a grim little
smile of satisfaction and departed to
fetch the wine. No doubt her reserved
LOGGER would tlelw somewhat under
the CHAMPAGNE, II only She could be
persuaded TO take enough OF Ii.
smart girl. Daisy she muttered as
she descended the stairs, 'as SMART US
they make 'em."
Daisy kept up a continuous rattle OF
small talk until the wine, tianked by
some cake and grapes, made its ap-
pearance; and Zana could do nothing
but listen and wonder what il all
meant. Wisely Judging a large bottle
Of champagne to be rather more than
two girls conld safely negotiate. Mrs.
Ratten brought three glasses, and by
retaining the bottle in her own smme-
date charge reduced this danger to a
minimum. At her time Of life one
needs a stimulant.
Cana was with difficulty persuaded
70 drink half a glass of the sparkling
nectar, but before the two others had
finished the bottle between them she
somehow found herself .,rcn a footing
Of gulsi-intimscy with Daisy Fitzclar.
ence and the object OF an vowed semi
maternal solicitude ON the part Of
Mrs. Ratten.
Il hope you won't think it bad form
In me 10 drop in ON you like this with
cur even an Introduction remarked
DAISY as b rose to depart; ..but the
truth is you seemed so lonely ND here
an by yourself that l couldn't resist
the temptation Of trying TO cheer you
up. hope you don't think I came for
tne purpose OF making you stand the
champagne she added, with a light
laugh.
4 am quite sure you meant kindly"
answered Zana. 'and l am grateful
90 you Tor interesting yourself thus In
a stranger. But"
what! Another 'butrr rippled Miss
Daisy. There! Please dont finish.
1 don't want to be told l must not do It