Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-11
A QUIET
GTQI S
~ UGH a nice, quiet girl" said
!" Ralnh's mother
Copyright, 1909,
By Emma A. Opper

that she was an orphan and an heiress
and that when her guardian. with
whom she lived. had gone with his
family for a trip to Colorado, Hor-
tense had declared her preference for
coming out to Blakesburg to Palph's
mother and had had her way.
"A regular little lady," said Ralph's
father. whose judgment was, as a rule.
rather sternly critical.
Ralph said nothing. He recalled a
certain singular twinkle In Hortense's
bright eyes. He reflected on the Pc
culiar circumstance Of her joggling his
elbow at the breakfast table so that
he had spilled some water and then
giggling behind her napkin. But he
said nothing.
When he went out to the barn pres
emily to curry Betsey. he thought for
an instant that Betsey's colt had got
out Of the stall. Hating In the door.
he perceived that 1t was Hortense De
Witt chasing several squawking hens
round and round.
She sat down on keg. red checked
and disheveled. 81 love to be where
| can do as I've mind to-" she de-
clared.
81 guess you always do. don't you?
said Ralph astutely. and Hortense
laughed She felt ut her neck.
"I've lost my diamond stickpin." she
announced. "Never mind. I'll find 1t.
I've lost two or three. Come on! Let's
have some more fun" She cast look
around. Have you ever walked that
beam up there?" she demanded. Ralph
bad not. 1t was a very high beam and
narrow.
"Well. I'm going to walk It," said
Hortense.
You're not" said Ralph.
"Ain't II" HOrtense gave a light
spring and climbed into the hayloft,
lifting herself by dextrous clutches.
She mounted to the high beam and
stepped out upon 1t.
Don't" Ralph begged.
f"Why not" She. was half way
across 1t.
"If you should fall. you'd be killed."
said Ralph. Hortense increased her
pace and arrived safe at the beams
end. "Come on up. What are yon
afraid OFF, Something in her voice
turned Ralph's cheeks redder. but he
answered steadily:
81 fell of a roof and broke my arm
once. and I've never liked getting up
on high places since. get dizzy"
"Oh" said Hortense. with no little
scorn. II don't. I'm the best perform.
er In the gymnasium at my boarding
school. Look here" She went back
across the beam. pirouetting as she
went, her arms spread. Ralph ceased
to look at her; 1t made him feel sick.
81 guess" Hortense De Witt called
down at him, you're a-er-s 'fraid
catw
Maybe" said Ralph. hotly flushed.
Hortense descended agilely. "Yes."
she repeated. 81 believe you are "a
YOU know what" She snatched Ralph's
cap of and tossed 1t to a remote cor
ner and ran into the house.
At dinner Hortense was demure. To
be sure, she caught Ralph's eye and
screwed her countenance to look like
the hired man. who was cross eyed.
but nobody saw It but Rslph.
"She is very much like her Aunt
Martha Gale" said Ralph's mother ad-
miringly. "She was. SO quiet and dig
nified always"
Ralph smiled grimly. 81 shaD't squeal
on her." he thought
"Your father and l." said his mother.
"are going down to John Warren's
little while. He Is sick. See how well
you can entertain Hortense. Ralph"
Hortense. Ralph reflected. would be
more likely to entertain him. She was
10 the parlor. inspecting with apparent
gravity the pictures and the albums.
but Ralph's discerning eyes saw the
mischief iD hers. suppressed and walt
inc
"What's In this closet. l wonderP'
she inquired. her imuulsive hand on the
latch.
"Some old books and mothers grape
wine and fathers best Clothes" Ralph
RESPONDED rather stif1y. He had not
forgotten that Hortense had called him
a 'fraid cat.
Hortense opened the door a crack.
She studied the contents Of the closet,
aud. softly giggling, she took from It's
hook q black broadcloth coat. She put
II on and buttoned 1t and went waltz
ing around the room; the long tails
swung giddily as she whirled.
Father only wears that coat to fu'
nerals and weddings" Ralph warned
her. family grinning. Something lin
gled in the pocket and Hortense pulled
forth a bunch Of keys.
What do they unlock?. she queried
"Father's desk. here. for one thing
said Ralph. and was instantly sorry
for answering. for Hortense went I'm
mediately to the desk.
Ralph followed. Look here" be
said. don't unlock that. Father kept
his papers there and money some.
times. Nobody ever goes to 1t bu,
him: I'm forbidden. Don't touch It."
"Tm not forbidden" Hortense retort
ed. and unlocked 1t before Ralph's
eyes.
"See here" he protested. aghast ano
beginning to be indignant with hif
madcap cousin. Hortense. with gay
litter. took bunch Of papers out OF
q pIgeonhole.