The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-30
=. c4 VICTIM OF FUN. ;.
BY Clara Psyson North.

spring OF perpetual joy for us ms Tong
as he stays here-which am afraid won't
be very long"
You've got some new mischief in your
head" said Dollie. obviously.
Haven't I, thought See here You
Know the room that has been prepared
Tor MI Watts? Wen go into Ned's den
and get those photos OF pugilsts and
race horses. Wen bring in the boxing
gloves. too. and hang them up on the
wall Wen send over to Elsie Preston
ana get two or three OF those horrid
French novels TO put on the center table.
And we'll leave pack OF cards there
and sporting paper, IL we can get one
down In the village. And-and--"
What win mamma say?' asked Dol
lie, seriously.
until afterward. and then she'll have TO
laugh" predicted Nellie. recklessly.
she was leader among the girls in
the matter OF mischief. II was less than
an hour ere the. three girls. taking very
good care that Mrs. Ellerton should not
observe their hustle. were very busy re-
modelling the guest room. BY the time
that they were through the room was
what Brother Ned would have called "a
mighty jolly nest" But for a minister
OF the straight-iaced kind-oh. II was
shocking! And Miss Nettie Mischief cap
ped the awful climax by triumphanty
bringing into the guest room bottle OF
beer
Il found II In the cellar" she explain
ed. gieefully, and placed II In plain view
on the wash stand beside three OF Ned's
pipes and a jar OF tobacco. One last look
| the girls took around the room. and then
exchanged mirthful glances.
He'll be delighted" predicted Eleanor.
There's material In this stage-setting
for Mt least dozen stern lectures" de-
clarcd Nettie, almost hysterically
Well have a bad half hour with Ned.
| though" suggested Dollic almost So
berly.
| In the afternoon, while the three girls
| were on the veranda entertaining Mrs.
| Preston and her two daughters. the de-
pot carriage turned up into the yard. on
the trunk rack was a bis trunk display
ing the initials. -. W."
| "He has arrived" said Net,ie, mysteri-
| Dusty, to Dolly.
out of the cab stepped a decidedly good
| looking young man. He was dressed in
| fastidious black. though at n glance II
was apparent that he did not affect very
clerical cut OF garb. Dollie hoped, in that
| first glance. that he wouldn't be SO very
| very strict. but then Ned's letter had said
| And so, OF course
II am afraid I shall have TO Introduce
myself and apologize" began the youns
man. lifting his hat as he assembled the
steps. Med was to have met me AT tn,
train, but he failed to do so. and so
| came alone. l am"
ut is not necessary 10 introduce your.
self. MIR. Watts" said Nettie. advancing
and giving him her hand with her sweet
est smile. med wrote US that you were
coming today. and we are delighted Il
have you with us. am Nettie. And this
IL my sister. Eleanor Mr.. Watts, and ou
other sister. Dorothy" Then, hurriedly
she presented the Rev. John Watts TO th'
Prestons.
The young clergyman bore himself witt
great deal Of grace. While his fac'
looked trife solemn, there was reai',
nothing sour about II.
You will want 10 go to your room,
know" said Nettie, struggling hard Y
keep her face straight. II will call Park
or to take your trunk up" And so IN
Rev John disappeared upstairs IN m
wake OF his baggage. Elsie and the III
lerton girls exchanged meaning glances
and fought hard to keep from screaming
with laughter II would never do TO Civ
way before Mrs. Preston. who was no
yet in the secret. and would be sure Y
disapprove.
Presently Mr. watts came down. III
sat little apart from the group. though
l., Joined in the conversation wheneve
addressed. Nettie talked of nothing bu
the summer's dissipations. bringing In tn
themes ~ dancing and cards wheneye
she could. Though the Rev. Mr.. WATT
said nothing to this. Nettie was sure tina
he was writhlng with Inward disaprroval
"You will think us very wicked IN ou
pleasures, I am afraid Mr.. Watts7 Sh'
said at last.
II must not he over-scvere." he replies
l. - f4Ff4l
extent n matter Of conscience.
s'But fear you do not approve of card
and dancsng-round dances. especially