Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-03-04


@0 F&sS who has had no
8RP education. worth
H&@S speaking about
[SfE and who is not very
~ quick by nature?"
The speaker was
Charles 'Westmacott and the time this
same summer evening in the tennis
ground, though the shadows had fallen
now and the same had been abandoned
The girl glanced up at him, amused
and surprised.
DO you mean yourself?"
Precisely"
But how could tell?'
Il have no one to advise me. I believe
that YOU could do it better than any
enc. l feel confidence in your opinion"
1t is very fattering." She glanced up
again at his earnest questioning face,
with its Saxon eyes and dropping flax
EN- mustache. in some doubt as to
whether he might be joking. On the con-
traiy. all his attention seemed to be
concentrated upon her answer.
1T depends so much upon what you
can do, you know. I do not know you
sufficiently to be able to say what natu-
raj gifts you have They We're walking
slowly across the lawn in the direction
OF the house.
Il have none. That is to say. none
worth mentioning. I have no memory
and I am very Slow
But you are very strong"
ooh. if that goes for anything. l can
put up a hundred pound bar till further
orders; but what sort of calling is
tlat?"
Some little joke about being called to
the bar flickered up in Miss Walkers
mind. but her companion was in such
obvious earnest that she stifled down
her inclination to laugh
Il can do mile on the c;nder track
in z;o1 and across country in $50. but
how is that to bel" e? 7 might be
cricket professional lat it is not very
digniiied position. ,<nt that l care a
straw about dignity. you know. but I
should not like to hurt the old lady's
feelings
Your aunts?
Yes. my aunt's. My parents were
killed in the mutiny. you know, when
l was baby, and she has looked after
me ever since. She has been very good
to me. I'm sorry to leave her."
But why should you leave herr"
They had reached the garden gate. and
the girl leaned her racket upon the top
of it, looking up with grave interest at
her big, white-fanneled companion.
Its Browning" said he.
WHAT"
Don't tell my aunt that l said it
he sank his voice to whisper-"I hate
Browning"
Clara Walker rippled off into such a
merry peal Of laughter that he forgot
the evil things which he had suffered
from the poet, and burst out laughing
too.
Il can't make him out said he. Il
try, but he is one too many. NO doubt
1t is very stupid Of me; I don't deny 1t.
But as long as I cannot there is no use
pretending that I can. And then, OF
course. she feels hurt, for she is very
fond of him, and likes to read him
aloud in the evenings. She is reading
piece now. 'Pippa Passes. and I assure
you, Miss Walker that I don't even
know what the title means. You must
think me dreadful fool"
But surely he is not SO incompre-
hensible as all that?" she said, as an
attempt at encouragement.
He is very bad. There are some
things. yon know, which are fine. That
ride of the three Dutchmen, and Herve
Riel and others, they are all right. But
there was a piece we read last week
The first line stumped my aunt, and 1t
takes good deal to do that, for she
rides very straight. 'Setebos and Sete-
hos and Setebos.' That was the line"
TT sounds like a charm"
mo, it is a gentleman's name. Three
gentlemen. thought. at first, but my
aunt says one. Then he goes on, Think
eth he dwelleth in the light Of the
r1fpcQ'
Clara Walker laughed again.
You must not think Of leaving your
aunt" she said. Think how lonely she
would be without YOU
well, yes, l have thought Of that.
But you must remember that my aunt
is to all intents hardly middle-aged, and
a very eligible person. don't think that
her dislike to mankind extends to in
dividuals. She might form new ties. and
then should be a third wheel In the
coach. 1t was all very we'll as long as
was only q boy, when her first husband
was alive
But good gracious, you don't mean
that Mrs. Westmacott is going to marry
again?" gasped Clara.
The young man glanced down at her
with a question in his eyes. "Oh. 1t Is
only remote possibility, you know"
said he. STILL of course. 1t might hap
pen. and should like to know what {
ought to turn my hand to-
II wish could help you." said Clara.
But really know very little about
such things. However, I could talk to
my father. who knows very great
deal OF the world"
II wish you would. / should be so glad
II you would
Then I certainly will. And now I
must say good night, Mr.. Westmacott.
for papa will he wondering where I
am"
'sGood night Miss Walker" lie