The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-09

While this interview was taking place
the fragments of the feast below had
| been cleared away and the table pushed
to one side. leaving the youngsters room
to romp If they 80 desired.
"I wish Mrs. Merrick would come.
She said she would" exclaimed Freddy
! Innes. what shall we do?'
Il can play a polka Il you would like
to dance" said Sissy timIdly.
''Oh. dancing Is no good. cried Bertie.
81 only care to dance to Il band. Last
Christmas holidays we went TO a party
nt Lady Bertha Rarness, and she had
a regular quadrille band and master
Of the ceremonies"
''Oh criley." cried Freddy with mock
admiration. how did he every come
down to a parlor in furnished lodgings!
Come. Miss Sissy. I'll dance the sword
dance for you Here. Mona Mcleod"
60 his eldest sister. AN advanced young
lady of twelve you play for me and, you,
Berthe of Battersea. get the poker and
tongs.'
Il don't live at Battersea." said young
Boileau. sulkily.
Miss Mona Mcleod started up and
opened an ancient cottage piano which
stood in an obscure corner. 1t emitted
woeful and uncertain sounds. but Mona
Mcleod tackled 1t pluclSiiy and evoked
from it's aged chords something like l.
strathspey whereupon the indefatigablc
Freddy dashed into the intricacies Of the
famous dance. to the delight of the girls
ana the contemptuous wonder of Berue.
You have touched the poker. Freddy!
cried his younger sister. who was watch
Ing him intcnJly. IT'S gone quito
crooked"
mo. I haven't" retorted Freddy. I'D
know If / mad"
yes. you did," exclaimed BERTHE. dc
lighted to ind fault. IF l We're you I
wouldn't pretend to DO what ! couldn't
''Then, YOU never pretend at all. nTy
boy. for l suspect It's precious little you
can dor'
How do YOU known" cried Bertie.
swelling with wrath at such an insult
from an inferior. as he considered Freddy.
do YOU brush your own hair. or does
your mothers maid titivate for the darl-
ing boy?' said Freddy breaking into a
mild hornplpe kind of dance.
''You are a vulgar. impudent cad. and
I'll give you n good thrashng" shouted
Bertie rushing at him. He was a big
heavy boy. and Freddy. knowing he would
have little or no chance in Il fight with
him. lodged hither and thither. still dane
ing.
'Roiler Mr.. Boiler. don't bust up. Mr..
Boilerl Lots of hot water always ready.
Eh. MIR. Boiler?'
''You must rot fight. boys" cried Mona
Mcleod with the superior air young ladies
Of her ago are fond of assuming You
are a wicked boy. Fred. You began IT
ALL"
My father would not allow me 10 play
with YOU II he knew what cad you are.
said Bertie choking with rage. "In stop
your staggering. There, take that and
he dealt Freddy a strong blow in tho
AL. l..ves -vNv~feT
bowled the slight boy over He was up
I'm an instant "Oh, If that's what you
want. here goes" putting himself into
scientific position, dancing round his an
tagonist as IL selecting a place on which
to plant his first blow, when the door
opened and Mrs. Merrick. followed by
Miss Gilmore and Lisle. came in, paus-
ing in dismay and amusement at the
scene.
oh bors! boysi this IS scandalous!
What has happened? Why. gentlemen
never fight before ladiesy' exclaimed Mrs.
MerrIck. II am shocked. You must make
friends this minute!'
'It's Mr.. Boilers fault. He's such a
thin skinned chapi Come along. Boiler,
now you've let off the steam; let's make
upr'
Look. here's poor little Sissy in tears"
said Miss Gilmore.
While Mrs. Merrick demonstrated with
the combatants Iisle sat down and lifted
Sissy on his knee.
Are you frightened, my little love?
What matter If those rude boys knock
each other about. I'm afraid you are a
coward" whispered Lisle.
Sissy was a slight little creature with a
quantity of real nut-brown hair. softly
waved and tied back with a knot of blue
ribbon, her delicate face boasted no
country roses. but her pallor was clear