Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-03-08
A LITTLE REBEL
BY CITE Duchess"
BY TIE DUCHESS.
g CHAPTER V.

,Nlt-AL ALIe
My love is like the sea-
As changeful and as free;
Sometimes she's angry, sometimes rough
Yet oft she's smooth and calm enough
Ay, much too calm for me.
1t is Perpetual. \ sad-eyed. Il fearful
eyed Perpetual, but a lovely Perpetual for
all that.
WOLF says he.
"Sh.' says she again, shaking her head
ominously and putting her forefinger
against her lip. Come in here" says
she softly, under her breath.
Here" when he does come in, is a
most untidy place, made up of all things
heterogeneous. Now that he is nearer
to her. he can see that she has been cry
ing vehemently, and that the tears still
stand thick within her eyes.
Il felt | must see YOU" she says, ito
tell you--to ask you. To-oh. you heard
what she said! Do-do you, think-
professor hurriedly. ''Don't-don't cry,
Perpetual! Look here, laying his hand
nervOusly upon her shoulder and giving
her a little angry shake Don't cry.
Good heavens! Why should you mind
that awful old woman|
Nevertheless he had minded that awful
old woman himself verv considerably.
Butt is soon, isn't it," says she. Il
know that myself. and yet" wistfully-
Il can't help it. | do want to see things,
and TO amuse myself.
Naturally" says the professor.
And it isn't that l forget him." says
she III an eager, intense tone. Il never
forget him-neyer-never. Only | do
want to laugh sometimes and to be happy
and to see Mr.. Irving as Charles L.
The climax is irresistible. The profess
sor is unable to suppress smile.
Pm afraid, from what ! have heard
that won't make you laugh says he
ut will make me cry then. 1t is all
the same" declares she. impartially. Il
shall be enjoying myself, [ shall be see
ing things You''-doubtfully and mind
full of his last speech-"haven't you seen
himY'
Not for . long time | regret to say
I'm always SO busy" says the pro-
fessor apologetically.
always studying? questions she.
For the most part" returns the pro-
fessor, an odd sensation growing within
him that he is feeling ashamed of.
All work and no play, begins Per
petua, and stops, and shakes her charm
ing head at him. ''You will be a dull
boy if you don't take care says she.
A ghost of little smile warns her sad
lips as she says this, and lights up her
shining eyes like a ray of sunlight. Then
it fades, and she grows SOrroWful again.
well, | can't study" says she.
'Why not?" demands the professor
Quickly. here ne is on MS own ground,
and here he has a pupil to his hand-a
strange, an enigmatical, but a lovely one.
Believe me, knowledge is the one good
thing that life contains, worth having.
Pleasure, riches, rank, all sink to insig
niicance beside it.
How do you know" says she. you
haven't tried the Others.
Il know it, for all that. [ feel it.
Get knowledge-such knowledge as the
short span of life allotted to us will allow
YOU to get. | can lend you some books,
easy ones at first, and -
Il couldn't read your books says she;
'and-you haven't novels, suppose?'
No. says he but -
Il don't care for any books but nov
els says she, signing. 'Have you
read Alas? 1 never have anything to
read here, because Aunt Jane says nov
els are of the devil, and that if / read
them [ shall go to hell"
''Nonsense!' said the professor gruffiy.
you mustn't think I'm afraid about
that" says Perpetua demurely; I'm
not. | know the same place could never
contain Aunt Jane and me for long, SO
I'm all right"
The professor struggles with himself
for moment and then gives way to
mirth.
"Ah! now you are on my side,' cries
his ward exultantly. she tucks her arm
into his.
"And as for all that talk about 'knowl-
edge'-don't bother me about that any
more. It's a little rude of you, DO you
know? One would think / was Ounce
that l knew nothing-whereas, l as
sure you," throwing out her other hand,
Il know quite as much as most girls.
and a great deal more than many. l
dare say" putting her head to one side,
and examining him thoughtfully, 81
know more than you do, if it comes to
a | know
ment who wrote The Master of Ballan-
trae' Come now. who was it?
She leans back from him, gazing at
him mischievously, as if anticipating his
defeat. AS for the professor, he grows
red-he draws his broWs together. Truly
this is most impertinent pupil! 1.-THE
Master of Ballantrae." 1t sounds like
Sir Walter, and yet The professor
hesitates and is lost.
"Scott," says he. with as good an air
as he can command.
Wrong cries she, clapping her
hands softly, noiselessly. ooh! you ig-
norant man! Go buy that book ut once.
1t will do you more good and teach you
great deal more than any of your
musty tones"
She laughs gayly. 1t occurs 10 the
professor, in misty sort of way, that
her laugh, at all events, would do any
one good.
She has been pulling ring on ana OFT
her finger uEconsciously, as if thinking,
but now looks up at him.
eff you spoke to her again, when she
was in a better temper, don't you think
she would let you take me to the tneater
some night|' She has come nearer,
and has laid a light, appealing hand upon
his arm.
II am sure it would be useless" says
he, taking off his glasses and putting
them on again in an anxious fashion.
They are both speaking in whispers, and
the professor is conscious of feeling a
strange sort of pleasure in the thought
that he is sharing secret with her. BE
Sides" says he, Il couldn't very well
come here again"
mot come again? Why?"
I'D be afraid" returns he simply.
Whereon Miss Wynter, after seconds
pause, gives way and laughs consumed
ly," as they would have said long, long
years before her pretty features saw the
light.
"Ah! yes" murmurs she. GLOW she
did brighten you. She brought you to
your knees-you actually" this with keen
rpnrOo ch-EEtOok hpr MART AGAINST mo -