The Somerset reporter., 1897-09-09
WHO MAKETH ALL

The scholar sat in his study before
his writing table, but be did not write.
He leaned his elbow on the table and
his head on his hand and he was think.
ing OF Phyllis far away in Raj Pindi
with her husband The table was piled
with books-several stood open inviting
Iy-and IA far white sheet of paper Law
on his blotting pad-but he did not
write
Presently Jakes opened the door and
SAID; There's young woman, sir,
asking to see you. Shall | say you are
engaged"
"A young woman, Jakes?" queried
the scholar. What sort of a youno
woman, and from whence"
well, sir, and Jakes closed the door
behind him, II do think she's from the
circus as Is on the village green. 3"
From the eircusl' repeated the
scholar. What can she want?"
She won't give no name nor vet no
message, sir. Shall l say that you re
engaged, sir?"
Jakes considered it the "height of
lmpudence' that busy from the cir
Gus should dare ask to see his master
and longed to send her about her bust
ness. Fine doings indeed, for such as
she to be asking for gentlemen, as bold
as brass.
The scholar pondered, then he said
half to himself: Phyllis would like
/ me to see her-she was always kind
Jakes, you can show her in. 3"
Jakes departed, much displeased, and
presently ushered young woman into
the room and shut the door after her
carefully and i'll il fashion that said as
plainly as possible, well, | wash my
hands of this foolhardy preceding. "
The young woman advanced into the
middle Of the room and then stood
awkwardly and said nothing. She was
tall, slight girl, attired in variety
of garments, startling in hue and hay
ing apparently no connection with one
another Her hair was brushed abolt
her forehead and stuck out in series
of large rolls behind The hair was
crowned by a hat of portentous size
adorned by several rather detected look
| ing feathers. But under the furze brush
of hair the face was oval and almost
beautiful in its regularity of feature
and pure color
The scholar rose and bowed, then
with old fashioned courtesy he set a
chair for her and, having seen her seat
ed, murmured something shyly as Ito
what he was indebted for the pleasure
of this visit. "
The girl stared at him with wide
| blue eyes, then said abruptly: II say 1
You're a KNOWN old cove, aren't your"
The scholar stared a little at this de-
scription of himself and waved his
hands i'll deprecating way. The girl
went on: I've card in the village as
you are always a-studyin old books and
knows all sorts of heathenish lingo.
Now. do you know how to make love
poshin?"
The scholar gazed at her in speechless
establishment. Then he grasped the edge
of his writing table for support and
stammered, do / understand you to
ask me if | know anything about love
philters?"
Eyes, that's the ticket, said the girl
genially. 81 want love poshin to give
my young man. Els been and took up
with Mile. Leonore, what does the
trials of strength, and wants to bring
i'm back to me. You give me the per-
skiption and I'll ask the galipot to
make it up Twas sure as you d know. "
The scholar felt quite sorry for her
when he realized the disappointment he
was about to infiict she smiled so pref
tily and looked so pleased. He shook
his head. Then he said gently: I'm
afraid | am quite unable to help You in
this matter. | know nothing of such
things; neither do / believe that they
can have the smallest effect. -
But | thought you was always
a-studyin ancient days, " said the girl
in an argumentative voice. leaning for
ward in her chair. do think-in some
Of them old books" (waving her hand
i'll the direction of the book lined walls)
Ain there somethink in some of them
old books?"
Il fear not, said the scholar almost
sadly. She was so eager, so much in
earnest The girl drew herself up in her
chair and said abruptly:
I'm honest girl, am.
That | am sure you are, and there
fore you need no love phiters Believe
me, you are quite pretty and good
enough to inspire love, an honest love,
without recourse TO magic. The schol-
ar spoke persuasively His voice was
very gentle and his manner courtly
The girl winked her wide blue eyes
and made a little swallowing motion
with her throat Then she coughed and
continued.
my fathers brought rs up strict,
ave + doan't old with swearin for
women, and if we was light ed lay
the 'orsew lip about our shoulders, e
would. Els clown in our show, q is .
There was silence for minute in the
big library. Then the scholar said gen
fly: "Why do You want a love philtcr?
Is the-man you are engaged to fckle?"
"WeIl, % runs after Mile. LeonoTe,
and | can't stand it, and | rates i'm,
and e laughs at me, and I'm beastly
miserable, | am. "
The girls voice broke and great
tears rolled down her cheeks The
scholar was much distressed. He was u
,ery learned man and instructed III the
best wisdom of many lands, but he had
also studied diligently book that