Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-02-16
A Mild Deception.
A Perth Story by Geo. A Matherson

A Perth Story by Geo. A Matherson.
Colonel Craufurd had seated himself
in coy wicker chair placed on the
lawn just outside the dining room win
dow, which, opening in two halves and
reaching to the ground, formed a con-
venient means of egress from the
room.
On a small table by the side of the
chair there stood a ''Tantalus" frame,
with its square bottles, crystal bowl
of ice, a tall glass, besides cigar box
and a small pile of letters.
The house, comfortable looking
building, was called THE Rowans," no
doubt from the fact that the short ave-
nue. leading up to it was lined on each
side with trees of mountain-ash, and
was situated about a mile from the
fair city of Perth, and had been rented
by Colonel Craufurd for the summer
of 1873
The day was hot, hot even for July
in our northern climate, but the Col
Onel, who had borne the heat and
burden Of the day under an Indian sun
for many years, looked remarkably
cool in his linen suit, with lite pith
helmet and pugaree, and his brOnzed
face beamed contentedly as he concoct-
ed a peg" of iced brandy and swal-
lowed 1.-THE forenoon peg" habit
which he had acquired in India and
had not yet abandoned.
Then he lit a cigar and proceeded TO
read his letters. He had gone through
some half-dozen letters, some of which
excited no apparent interest to judge
by his features, while one or TWO
evoked pleasant smile. At length he
opened one, and during its perusal his
face assumed an ominous frOWn, and
even his full, white mOustache seemed
to bristle angrily.
Muttering something which seemed
rather uncomplimentary to some one,
he was thrusting the letter back into
it's envelope, when he heard the sound
Of light wheels coming up the avenue,
and the next moment light phaetOn
drawn by high stepping pony, and
driven by a very handsome looking
young lady-his daughter, Aileen-
came into view. In a small rumble
behind the phaeton sat Il smart little
tiger" in cockade hat, and to him
Miss Craufurd handed the reins, and
stepping out, came across the lawn tC
where her father sat.
Ia . limo n
seating herself on the arm Of her faith
ers chair, there you are at your nasty
pegs again and on such a hot day.
And, oh, what a bundle of letters!
What's the news? Anybody coming?'
Better go Inside out of the heat ant
take your things off, said the Colonel
without answering his daughters ques
tions. I'll be with you in five min
utes, when l finish"
Another peg, answered hi:
daughter, mischievously.
cNo-my cigar" said the ColoL
shortly.
"Hoity-toity; the dear old dad il
cross this fine morning. Is his ole
equity toe bothering him." asked
Aileen, coaXingly.
But her father wouldn't be coaXed
Go in at once, you little baggage" h
said cor Fll-Tll-"
Take another peg" laughed til
irrepressible girl, who liked to teas
her father on that subject.
When Colonel Craufurd entered tn
house. he found his daughter in tn
drawing room, and at once began
allie, I want to talk to you-sef
iously.'
That's not you, dad; you're usual
regular jolly old boy" said Ailee1
smiling.
Don't be flippant now, Allie" sal
her father, "but listen. fear l hav
done wrong by committing you fC
nearly two years to the care of you
aunt in London, while I was travelin
about. When your aunt informed N
and you yourself admitted that a cel
tain young man-an engineer, yo
both said-had become devoted to yo
and you to him, told you very plain,
that I prohibited you from allowir
the matter to go further. In short,
said | would never give my consent
the match, for, as you known, it q;
been my desire that you should MARI
someone in the service, as all daug
tiers of our branch of the house
Craufurd have done from time INN
mortal. Besides
Aliens eyes were sparkling roguis
ly, and at this point she interruptt
her father with
ooh, but, you dear old dad, didn' t
hear you say to General Bethune
dinner the other night when you we
talking about what he called 'innov
tons in the service-Tempora muta