The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-07-30
~ a. CONAN DoNxH

youE sluuleSs 1Qd, S6l0 the DOCTOR, Al
he pushed back his chair. "But do
think it would be better II 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
fspoctor was becoming just a little
ruffied. A turn in the open air would
soothe him, he thought. Where are
my boots?" he asked.
But they We're not in their accustomed
corner by his chair. Up and down he
searched, while the three servants took
up the quest, STOPPING and peeping UNI
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
tie and the racket. At last a general
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 of to Join the
Admiral In his morning walk.
AS the door slammed Ida burst into
q shout of,laughtef... You see, Clara,v
she cried. "the charm works already.
He has gone to number one instead of
TO number three. Oh, we shall win q
great victory. You've beensvery good,
dear; I could see that you were on
thorns to help him when he was look
ing for his boots"
Poor papa! It is 80 cruel. And yet
what are we to dog"
atoOh he will enio1, I,oSn0 ooro%o,&~ Ria
all the more IL we give him a little dis
comfort now. What horrible work this
chemistry is! Look at my frock! It is
ruined. And this dreadful snnell!" 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 soft thud
on to the floor. Ida opened it. It was
full.
what are these?" she asked.
Egyptians"
What are some other sbrands?'
"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.
I'VE must learn to talk about the
brands Of cigarettes. Has your rum
Gomez"
Eyes. dear. It is here"
And 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. II 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
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 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 were stuck up on the coal scut-
tie. and she had 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 q
! settled stare Of establishment upon his
elder and more serious daughter.
"Clara! he gasped, II could not have
believed it!'
What Is 1t, papa?"
"You are smoking!'
Trying to, papa. find It a little
difficult, for I have not been used to
| It."
"But why. in the name of goodness
"Mrs. Westmacott recommends IT,"
"Oh. q lady Of mature years may do
many things which q young girl must
avoid"
"oh. no." cried Ida. "Mrs. westma-
colt says that there should be one law
for all. Have cigarette. pa?"
mo. thank you. never smoke in the
morning."
mo? Perhaps you don't care for the
brand. What are these, Clara?"
Egyptians"
"Ah. we must have some Richmond
Gems or Turkish. I wish. pa, when you
80 into town. you would get me some
Turkish"
II will do nothing Of the kind. I do
not at all think that 1t II q fitting habit
for young ladies. do not agree with
Mrs. Westmacott upon the point
Really. pa! It was you who advised
US to initiate her."
"But with discrimination. What Is 1t
that you are drinking, Clara"
Rum, papa"
rum? In the morning." He sat
down and rubbed his eyes as one who
tries to shake OF some evil dream.
did you say rum?"
Eyes. pa. They all drink it in the pro-
fession which an, going to take up.''
Profession, Clara?
Mrs. Westmacott says that every
woman should follow calling, and
that we ought to choose those which
women have always avoided"
quite So"
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