The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-07-01
M7ERNATONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
p u.-CCoNrrNUEp).

CHAPTER H.-(CoNTINUED).
ut wants to get at Eliza" said the
youth, in a confidential whisper. Mas
brought" He smiled affably at the two
little stiff black figures. INT departed
In search of his mistress.
"What-what did he say?" gasped
Bertha.
something about a Oh. goodness
gracious! Oh, help. help, help, help
help The two sisters a bounded on
to the s~ettee, and stood there with star
ing eyes n skirts gathered in. while
they filled the whole house with their
yells. Out of a high wicker work basket
which stood by the fire there had risen
a fiat, diamond-shaped head with
wicked green eyes which came flicker
ing upwards. waving gently from side
to side, until a foot or more of glossy,
scaly neck was visible. Slowly the vi
cious e came floating up. while at
every oscillation a fresh burst Of shrieks
came from the settee.
What i'm the name of ~mischiefr'
cried a voice, and there was the mis-
tress of the house standing in the door
way. Her gaze at first had merely TAX
Gil III the ldCL t1dI TWO SiTdnSeTS were
standing screaming upon her red plush
sofa. A glance at the fireplace. how
ever. showed her the cause of the ter
ror, and she burst into a hearty fit Of
laughter.
Charley she shouted, there's Eliza
~misbehaving again."
"I1l settle her. answered a masculine
voice, and the young man dashed into
the room. Fie had a brown horse-cloth
I'm his hand, which he threw over the
basket, making 1t fast with a piece Of
Irvine so as to effectually imprison It's
inbate. while his aunt ran across to re-
assure her visitors.
1T is only a rock snake" she ex-
lained.
"Oh. Bertha!" "Oh, Monica" gasped
the poor exhausted gentlewomen
She's Matching out some eggs. That
is why we nave the fire. Eliza always
does better when she is warm. She is a
sweet. gentle creature. but no doubt she
thought hat you had designs upon her
eggs / suppose that you did not touch
In of them?"
"Oh. let us get away, BERTHA cried
Monica. with her thin, black-gloved
hands thrown forward in adherence.
Not away, but into the next room"
said Mrs. Westmacott. with the air of
one whose word was law. This way, If
you please! 1t is less warm here" She
led the way into a very handsomely APP
pointed library. with three great cases
of books. and upon the fourth side a
long, yellow table Uttered over with
papers and scientific instruments. sit
here. and you there" she continued.
THAT Is right. Now let me see, which
of you is Miss Williams and which Miss
Bertha Williams?"
Il am Miss Williams" said Monica,
still FACILITATING. and glancing furtive-
ly about in dread of some new horror.
And you live. as / understand, ove
at the pretty little cottage. 1t is very
nice of you to call so early. / don't sup
pose that we shall get on. but still the
intention is equally good" She crossed
her legs and leaned her back against
the marble mantelpiece.
"We thought that perhaps we might
be of some assistance" said Bertha.
timidly. IF there is anything which we
could do to make you feel more at
home"
"Oh, thank you, l am too old a trav-
cler to feel anything but at home where
ever | go. I've just come back from a
few months in the Marquesas Islands.
where 1 had a very pleasant visit. That
was where / got Eliza. In many respects
the Marquesas Islands now lead the
world
Dear me!' calculated Miss Williams.
'In what respect?"
I'm the citation of the sexes They
Rave worked out the great problem
upon .heir own lines. and their iso-
lated geographical position has helped
them to conn to a conclusion Of their
own. The woman there is, as she
should be, in every way the absolute
equal of the male. Come in. Charles,
and sit down. Ia Eliza all right?"
Al right. aunt"
These are our ~ncighbors, the Misses
williams. Perhaps they will have some
stout. You might bring in a couple of
bottles, Charles"
mo. no. thank you! None for u.s.
cried her two visitors. earnestly.
mo? / am sorry that / have no tea
to offer you. l look upon the subservi-
ency of woman as largely due to her
abandoning nutritious thinks and invig-
Grating exercises to the male. / do
neither" She picked up a pair of fif-
~teen-pound dumb-bells from beside the
fireplace and swung them lightly about
her head. You see what may be done
on stout" said she.
But don't you think" the elder Miss
Williams suggested timidly, don't you
think, Mrs. Westmacott. that woman
has a mission of her own?'
The lady of the houss dropped her