The Somerset reporter., 1902-12-25
ABOR|G|NES
BY E.sT6er Harlan
Copyright, 1eo1, by A. 8. Richardson
BY E.sTber Harlan

altitude OF L0elr apartments IN the Olu
studio building. were on terms of semi
rivalry (veiled of course by the usual
biilowy courtesies) with the mound
builders" who "burrowed" on the first
aeer. The former "drew with a pencil I"
and the latter did things with pen"
and there was absolutely no ground for
collision in their work, but instructive
" they pretended there was leach Sc
cretly wondering II the others guessed
facts merely to disguise the real cause
for the friction--a man. as usual, or,
rather, three men, who also "bunked"
In the studio building. The sum Of the
situation was the cliff jewellers were
the poster sort both as to occupation
and personality. They dressed smartly,
chatted entertainingly,- even wittily,
were trammeled by no traditions and
were a match In most ways for any
up to date young man of their ac-
quaintance.
Whereas the mound builders were
not full fiedged Bohemians and far
from smart" they still had ideals
and illusions, also a chaperon, who was
the mother Of one of them. They had
taken the ground floor apartment be-
cause the rent was lower.
When Dial and his chum and "the
other one spent an evening either sep
arately or collectively with the mound
builders. they came away feeling de-
cldedly jolly, almost boyishly so, on
good terms with themselves and the
rest of the world
"a call OH the builders leaves good,
wholesome taste in a fellows mouth"
night.
THE little girls mothers a brick"
Dial chimed In. she makes one feel
like the time when the treetops seemed
close against the sky"
Dallas Sinclair had dropped In this
afternoon just for word with Viva
cla, she of the cliff jewellers, and had
stepped back Of the screen to examine
some of her latest sketches. Vivacia
had paused In the next room to slip on
pretty house gown. Somehow she al
ways liked to look her best when Dial
came.
SO it happened that while Dial was
tor and paused to study the card care
lessIy left in the ground glass door.
"'Back at e. It's ten minutes Of.
Let's wait can never screw my cour
age up to this point again."
1t was the voice Of "the little girl"
she OF the mound builders. Then the
door was pushed farther open, and the
two entered.
- "Oh. mamsie, dear! Ii our den only
looked like this! | wonder people ever
come to see us--we're 80 sparse
Dallas was in an agony. 1t would
certainly not do to disclose his pres
ence. His soul loathed the role Of caves
dropper. Yet he did so want to know
which one she cared for himself or
1.-The other one"
IF only my last wee bit story will be
go" the sweet voice went on, then
can accept Mr. Sinclair's invitation at
last. suppose most of our friends real
ly believe our no place like home ex-
cuses by this time"
as that the bachelor girl story
'TipsP" the older voice asked. "Why
didn't you let Mr.. Sinclair have that
Dorothy? He told you he was on the
Up to Date staff"
Now, mother mine, you know
couldn't do thing like that. would
srather never have 1t printed"
well, maybe not. You're a funny
little chick Of daughter, but one can
overdo even so desirable a thing as in
dependence. If Mr.. Sinclair wants to
be of service to you, l don't see why
even If he is merely casual acquaint-
ance"-the color crept up over the girls
fair throat-"you would do the same
for him, Lam sure"
But, anyway, it's lots more fun,
mamsie dear" the girl began, with an
effort at lightness, Ito blaze ones own
trees" ~
"And that is why you said No to
Tom Davenport last week and refused
Aunt Sagemans gifts
"Now. mother, dear, you know Aunt
Sageman treated you atrociously not
SO long back. I'm not going to swallow
that just because | happen to need
toys"
still 1t doesn't do to be too proud,
dearie. Who was it-Elijah-w let
himself be cared for by-wasn't it ra-
yens?"
"Mamsie, you must read up" the
girl exclaimed, laughing. Ravens are
all right or even EuDlish snarroys
for that matter, but draw the line at
relations. And as for Tom, he was
good, and he had pennies and ances-
tors and all the usual means of grace,
but-well, just couldn't. that's all.
| 1t would seem nice, though" retiec-
lively, mot to have to calculate
whether my shoes will hang together
till get back before | accept an in
yitation for a stroll. I'm afraid Provi-
dence has grown tride absentminded
In my direction OF late"
Dorothy, my dear" the older voice
F., cried, you brighten me. You must not
talk So" and then with change of
tone and apparent lrrelevance: "Dal-
las Sinclair was talking to me last
night about his home. lie has very
lovable nature. Dorothy. such a con
trast to Mr.. Mortimer.
1.-THE other one? oh, he's just nice
| playfellow What-what did Mr.. Sin
clair say to you, motherY'
There was chatter of heels in the
hall. momentarily astonshed face in
hn a hn nlf1 FOIL