The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-07-20
6Y 4. CONAN DOYLE

seems to be wrong to-day, ne re-
marked ''What is this sudden enthu-
siasm about chemistry, Ida?''
"Oh, 1 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 was 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 gave horrible tWang
to every mouthful.
81 don't wish to put damper upon
your studies, Ida," said the Doctor, as
he pushed back his chair But l do
think it would be better if you did your
chemical experiments 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
ruffled. A turn in the open air would
SOOlIG ulI1, lie thought. w mere die
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 blue-covered volume, sitting alb
sorbed and disinterested amid the bus
10 tI0 A 1oc col
buzz of congratulation announced that
the cook had discovered the boots hung
up among the hats in the hall. The
Doctor, very red and flustered, 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. 'eYou see, Clara"
she cried, 1.-THE charm works already.
He has gone to number one instead of
to number three Oh, we shall win
great victory. You've been very good,
dear; I could see that you were on
thorns to help him when he was look
ing fer his boots.''
Poor papa! 1t is so cruel. And yet
what are we to do?"
ooh, he will enjoy being comfortable
all the more if we give him 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.
Have you any cigarettes, Charles?"
Eyes, 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
eve must learn to talk about the
brands of cigarettes. Has your rum
Gomez"
eyes, dear. It is here
"And I have my stout. Come along
up to my room now. This smell is too
abominable. But we must be ready for
him when he comes back. If 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 redoubled virulence. He threw open
the hall window, entered the dining
room, and 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 glass Of stout on the table beside
her. Clara, with another cigarette, was
Longing in the easy chair with several
maps spread out upon the floor around.
Her feet We're 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, 81 could not have
believed it!''
What is it, papa?'
"You are smokingY
Trying to, papa. I find it a little
difficult, for I have not been used to
it."
But why, in the name of goodness
-"
Mrs. Westmacott recommends it."