The Washington times., 1901-09-22
I H8r Untrainod. Mind

The grounds of the old Branseombe
place stoned down to the waters edge, but
this was all in the rear; in front was
staid. respectable Colonial age. The old
fashioned door opened on staid, respect
able street. and the windows blinked at
one as il they wore glasses. Remote an
cestors of the Branscombe family may
have had some idea OF the use OF their
front door. when they provided them
selves with a carriage step and hitch
ing post. but when someone remarked on
the beautiful view up the river from the
back the then existing generation of
Branscombes turned round to look at 1t,
and forgot to turn away. so the front
door lost its prestige. and the guests of
the pr, sent family found their way thith-
er by following the course OF the river to
the foot of a toilsome but interesting lit
tie pathway. up which they climbed to
the smooth lawns and superb trees which
made the Branscombe place picturesque
spot on the river bank.
On certain sunny June morning two
girls followed this path-only they Were
coming from the house. and We're taking
the steep descent with little runs and
jumps and trills of delicious giriish laugh
ter.
ut is 50 good to be at home,' said the
taller Of the two, who was naturally the
leader. as tail people usually are. You
can't think what the loss has been to me
for three whole years. Have you missed
me, Marion. dear?"
What an absurd question. Helen. 1
missed you, / envied you, and oh. I've
been so proud that you should have
wound up your college course so glorious
ly-to come out first in such a class, Wen.
s,.e-.
j wish you could have heard people talk
nbout you
Helen Branscombe looked over her
shoulder and laughed.
Il did, until / was i'll, and wished / had
never taken up the studies of psychology
and higher mathematics; all the pleasure
of the work was lost in the eclat. Recog-
milton from the professors and praise
from the home people were all / wanted.
I'm only thankful that my name appeared
everywhere as Margaret. ] was general
ly knSNh as Margaret, on account of an
other Helen in the class. Ali there's my
dear familiar rock Let US sit here and
rest on our way down we used to do
Speaking of your double name" said
Marion. as they made themselves COM
Portable, mother had a letter from Rob
ert Drayton- You remember him.
once-a tall. solemn boy, with such soul
full, elevated ideas; it made one shiver to
think of the heights he wanted to reach
Well, what about him.
He wants to come down here where
he can have plenty of outdoor life and
boating He's doctor now, and he's had
very wearing winter of hospital work
1 fancy, too, he's been studying at night
and has overdone the thing. Anyway
he's coming next week, and he asked in
cidentally if the brilliant young graduate,
Margaret Branscombe. was any relation
to my friend. whom he remembered as
rather a nice little GIRL
Praise from Sir Hubert Stanley is
praise indeed," quoted Helen ironically
What did your mother answer"
She's going to write this evening"
Then tell Mrs. Fuller to ignore that
part of his letter; he may come and find
out for himself. if he can
Why. what do You mean?''
Only that he's not going to see Mar
garet Branscombe; the nice little girl is
going to develop into a frivolous. light
headed young woman; / intend to have
fun with your grave doctor"
But he hates light-headed people" OBJ
5ected Marion.
I'm convert him. He shail-weil. he
shall like me-"
Don't plague him. Helen; he's coming
for rest, you know"
-.The best sort of rest Is chanage of oc-s
cupation. said Helen decidedly. He
must not rest too much-that is bad for
anybody
you're not going to make him fetch
and carry, are your" asked Marion. re-
fiecting with some Qualms on the busy life
Helen usually led the numerous males of
their acquaintance. They always seemed
to bestir themselves voluntarily-they ran
to DO it. in fact; but Marion knew where
lay the motive power. and she dreaded
fits effect on her quiet. studious cousin.
Don't you be worried?" said Helen,
peeping into her friends rather telltale
face, my treatment will make him
stronger. Didn't you say he needed a
tonic? But remember-tfere's no Mar
garet Branscombe. at any rate. for this
summer. I'll warn mother and the boys,
and you give a hint to your people"
t:Stiil / know Robert will be disap-
pointed; he's a very clever fellow and he'd
like TO find kindred mind"
-Oh. yes. 1 guess he's conceited enough
to imagine himself walking encyclope-
dia. 1t will be fun to bring him down a
bit Now come for row. haven't had
one for an age" Helen jumped up,
caught her friends hand, and the two
girls hurried on in the direction of the
boathouse.
Robert, this Is my dear friend, Helen
Bfanscombe." was Marion's prim intro
duction. The scene was the Fullers
breakfast room. and Helen had just walk
ed over from Branscombe's Place, on an
errand for her mother.
The tall young man at the table looked
up and bowed pleasantly. while Helen
smiled demurely.
Thank heaven. he doesn't wear
glasses was her inward comment. while
she said in stiited schoolgirl fashion: I'm
pleased to meet you, Mr.. Drayton. I've
heard ever so much of you from Marion"
and her soft brown eyes-innocent of
guile-looked up into his grey ones. There
was a polite masculine tolerance IN their
depths. which reused a small mischievous
imp in Helen BraHscombe.
II suppose hospital work kept you aw-
fully busy in town. emphasizing her ad-
verb in a way she knew would CRATE upon
him
quite busy" remarked Drayton, brief
ly, and went on calmly with his break
fast. What a vapid little thingi Not so
little either. except in small talk One
would have expected more from a girl Of
her build-rather pretty. too. in a way
brown hair and eyes. good complexion,
nice, even teeth. an intelligent face-on
the whole-such a pity!
"Can you row across TO e with me,
Marion? Mother wants lot OF things
from the farm. and ! promised to go for
them I'll be very pleased II you will
come with us too, DR.. Drayton," said
Helen with her most diffident air, land II