Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-04-15
CHAPTER T


much. She's that flushed and feyerish
and not wink has she slept these two
nights, and this blessed infant a-wantin,
all the attention it can GET
'Oh, for goodness sake, nurse. shut nm
and don't bother!'
1t was who said that. Joan. the old
est of that family of six of whom Nurse
Crotty had been discoursing. l lay there
on the bed beside that quiet figure with
the flushed face and feverish eyes-lay
there with an aching heart and passion
ate, resentful thoughts, for l hated the
interloper whose fretful cries sounded
ever and anon in the quiet of the fire-lit
room-hated her with. jealous, resentful
pain for breaking in upon the complete
ness of the circle-for disturbing it's u.s.
ages and arrangements, for being of the
same sex as myself, the eldest and the
spoilt darling of this gentle fragile moth
err, whom l had at once loved, and idol
lied and tyrannized over for fourteen
years.
Il don't disturb you, do I?' I asked
my mother softly, laying my cheek beside
the dear changed face, that for months
and months had been growing so nale
and wan.
NO, my darling" she answered tender
ly. But am SO sorry you are not pleas
ed about it, JOAN" she went on presently.
II thought you would have liked little
sister-something to pet and protect, and
play with
Il had the boys. and had you," I an
swered rebelliously. THAT was quite
enough"
ut was Gods will, my child-you should
try and remember that"
p,,fV ell I Il 4
not remember anything except that the
interloper was an interloper; that none Of
us had wanted her; that none of us cared
for her; that my mother was i'll. my father
more stern and aggressive than his wont;
that Nurse Crotty was a nuisance; that
the whole arrangements of the house were
upset and disorganized; that l was i'll a
vile temper. and altogether an ill-used and
suffering individual.
Don't talk about it, / said at length.
"Nurse says you are feverish and ought
to rest and sleep. Do try and get we'll
soon. mother! If you only knew how we
all miss you!'
With a swelling heart and clouded brow
l descended the stairs from my mother S
room, and proceeding along the hall, op-
ened a swing door at the end of it, and
in another moment found myself in The
midst of the noise and hubbub which gen
orally associated itself in my mind, and
every one else's as part and parcel of "the
boys"
Here they were, the whole four, making
noise enough for eight.
Teddy and Teddy were playing leap
frog. Hughie was jumping over the forms
those notched, and linked, and long suf-
fering pieces of furniture that we had
dubbed seats of learning''-and Alfred,
the eldest of the four, was kneeliag on the
rug a book in one hand and toasting
fork in the other
Enter the tragic muse"' cried Ted,
pausing in the act of accepting Teddy S
back" and waving his hand towards me
as I entered. Doesn't she look like it !
What's the news. 10, and how's the kid e
JOS nose is out of joint" cried Hughle,
vaulting on to the table instead of the
forms, and facing me with broad grin,
which by no means beautified naturally
wide mouth, 'or she's had tussle with
the nurse Did you get the best OF 1t,
Jo2 Have you seen the mater!
YES" I answered CURLY; I've. just
left her. Is the tea ready? It's five
O'clock
king Alfred is doing his best 10 burn
the toast as per usual, said Ted. AND
Trotter brought in the teapot some time
ago, SO suppose it's ready. l know I'm
jolly hungry, and quite ready for it
l walked to the fireplace.
Here III help with the toast 1 said,
taking up another fork and quietly as
lodging the book from the students mana.
''Alfy. do wish you'd give up trying to 90
two things at once.
Does nurse say it's the beautifuiest
child as ever she nussed! asked hng
Alfred: "you know she's told each Of as
that in turn"
81 don't know" said, rising from nay
knees and carrying the huge pile of toast
to the table, 4'and don't care" l added, III
temperedly.
"Our sweet sisters usually placid ma
ture is ruffied.'' remarked King Alfred,
following me and taking his seat at the
well-spread board Don't you mind. he
added. batting me on the back, process
hated: .we'll stand by you to man. Inc
intruder shall be relocated to the nursery,
her musical voice will not penetrate these
sacred regions, and We'll promise you 10
forget we ever had another sister -
1T doesn't matter to me- l said: =
shall be grown up while she's still DaDy
in the nursery. WV.
"And married and settled. Who
knows?" chimed in King Alfred.
pass the toast to To-day" | said with
dignity. waving aside these kindly sug-
restions. 1.-The child hasn't had nan
enough How greedy you and Hugnie
arer'
.He's Younger and smaller: he ought NOT
to eat as much as we do said leuas
ioftily. Were only acting for ms diges-
tive welfare"
"Hush,' cried King Alfred warnlngE.
az hear the tramp of feet. listen. ines
come nearer. 1t is-it is -.
.sBe quiet!' | cried. raising y 49,
scared face from the tea fray' anu sp. ane.
ing involuatari,y TO my teef as tns IVY
opened