Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-12-20
MAUREEN'S LOVER
! BY Constance Halkett.
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~ OF men have been guardians some
times (as / ann to a young and pretty
ward.
But my wife and ] agreed one day
that, among the lot Of them, nobody
could possibly give more food for
/ thought and anxiety than did Maureen
| O'Connor, our niece and ward.
To say she was pretty sounds tame.
She was as fresh and sweet as a wild
flower. She was as wild as any deer
on our hills. She feared neither man
nor beast. rode horses many boys would
have declined TO mount, could swim Like
a fish and run like hare. When ! add
that she was just II. and had shut up
her lesson books with a decided bang
the day before her birthday, you viii
perhaps understand why my wife and /
were sitting looking at each other, dis
cussing Maureen.
She was, or would be, an heiress, and
she knew about as much on the subject
OF money as those birds yonder near the
marsh. She could spend it, though, for
she loved giving. No tale OF distress
was ever told to her in vain, for she had
the warmest of Irish hearts. The only
way, indeed, one could influence her,
found out long ago, was TO appeal TO
that-it was no good lecturing Maui
reen.
My wife was looking rather helpless.
Maureen adored her, but ruled her
absolutely. My wife worshiped Maui
reen, and spoiled her horribly, but to
me she always played the role of a duti-
full ward, though she knew perfectly
well that il never deceived me for one
moment.
"She ought TO go TO the city and
make her social debut, " she said, firmly.
81 quite agree with you" said l. but
will she go9"
II don't know"
"Ahl" / laughed, 'you see. we can't
exactly make her GO"
Have you ever been able TO make her
do anything?" my wife asked. scorn-
fully.
She spoke as II she had been in the
habitofenforeing obedience on Maureen
every other minute. and / was riled.
Il haven't heard that your attempts
in that direction have been SO very
successful" said, Grossly.
Whereupon we both laughed 1--WE
possess a sense of humor-a thing
which saves so many situations from
becoming serious).
Just then, through the open win
dow, we caught sight Of a dainty
charming figure, in the simplest o,
draperies, tearing across the lawn.
three or four dogs at her heels.
went 10 the window and called
her back. She came reluctantly.
Am | in for a seoldingY' 81.
asked, her lovely face mutinous. her
eyes so fun Of laughter that they
would have disarmed the seyerest
guardian. I almost think.
Come in here" / said. eve want
TO speak TO you seriously"
She groaned and gave a backward
glance across the fiower-spanrled
meadows and the sunny garden.
Fancy being serious on such
day." she said. "It's wasting ones
time positively, do assure YOU"
However she lifted her dainty
skirts, and with one bound vas In
at the window.
"My dear" said. you're grown nm
now, You know"
Her answer was an affectionafe buo
aud; II you only knew how fupnv
you look when you Try 10 look solemn. !"
said she.
Wei, We sat down. one on each sid.
Of her, and We propounded the social
debut talked what I believed 10
be common sense. Ny wife said a good
deal about parties and beautiful
gowns, and seasoned the lump with =
little worldly wisdom. which 1 firmly
believe she had learned cut Of a boot
a. she hasn't = particle Of her own.
Maureen sat there as quiet a.
mouse and listened patiently. but she
said nothing until We came 10 a fun
step. i i q trihe dinscult 10 90 on
addueing arguments in support o. !