The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-24
(Conunued.)

One day he found her perched as usual.
but with her bright little face over
clouded.
BY this time the intelligent boy was
fond enough of her TO notice her face.
whats the matter. Perta?'
"Ruperta. The matter? Puzzled again!
1t is very serious this time"
''Ten me. Ruperta-"
''No, dear
please"
The young lady fixed her eyes on him.
and said with a pretty solemnity Let
us play at catechism.
81 don't know the game"
'The governess asks questions and the
good little boy answers. That's cate
ehism. I'm the governess."
''Then I'm the good little boy"
"Yes, dear; and so look me full in the
face"
"There-you're very pretty Ruperta.."
Don't be giddy; I'm hideous; so be-
have. and answer all my questions. Oh.
I'm so unhappy. Answer me. Is young
people. or old people. goodest?'
You should say best, dear. Good. bet
ter, best Why, old people to be sure
much"
80 thought: and that Is why I am
20 puzzled. Then your papa and mine
are much better-wifl that do?-than we
sre?'
"Of course they are"
There he goes. Such a child for
answering slap bang / never"
I'm not child. I'm older than you
are Ruperta."
That's a story"
We'll then I'm as old; for Mary says
we were born the same day-the same
hour-the same minute"
La! we are twins"
She paused, however, on this discovery.
and soon found reason TO doubt her
hasty conclusion. mo such thing"
said she: they tell me that the bells were
ringing for you being found, and then
I was found-to catechism you
There! then you see ! am older than
you. Ruperta."
Yes. dear" said Ruperts, very grave
iy. I'm younger in my body, but older
In my head
This matter being settled. so that
neither party could complain. since an
tiquity was evenly distributed. the cate
chising recommended
do you believe in Let dogs dehght2'
81 don't know"
What" screamed Ruperta- "Oh. You
wicked boy! Why. 1t comes next after the
Bible"
Then ] do believe IT," said Compton,
who. TO tell the truth. had been merely
puzzled by the verb, and was not afflict-
referred 70 was a divine oracle
Good boy!" said Ruperta patronizingly
well. then. this Is what puzzles me:
your papa and mine don't believe in
Dogs delight. They have been quarrel
ing this twelve years and more, and
mean 10 go on. In spite Of mamma She
Is good. Didn't you know that your
papa and mine are great enemies?"
mo, Ruperta. Oh what n pity!''
Don't Compton, don't; there. you have
made me cry"
He set himself 10 console her
She consented to be consoled
But she said, with a sigh What be-
comes OF old people being better than
young ones. now? Are YOU and I bears
and lions? Do we scratch out each
others ewes? II is all puzzle puzzle.
puzzle. ] wish I was dead. Nurse SAYS
when I'm dead I shall understand II all.
But don't know; I saw a dead cat once.
and she didn't seem to know as much
as before; puzzle. puzzle. Compton. do
you think they are puzzled in heaven"
mo"
Then the sooner we both go there the
better"
Yes. but not Just now"
why not?"
because OF the cowslips"
Here's n boy What would you rather
be among the cowslips than the angels?
and think Of the diamonds and pearls
that heaven is paved with
But YOU mightnt be there"
What! Am i wicked girl. then
wickeder than you. that is n boy?"
"oh, no, no. no; but see how big II Is
up there;' they cast their eyes up. and
taking the blue vault for recreation.
were impressed with its immensity IT
know where TO find you here. but up
there you might be ever so far Oft me
La, so ] might. Well then, we had
better keep quiet. / suppose we shall
get wiser as we get older But. Comp
ton. I'm so sorry your papa and mine
are bears and lions. Why doesn't the
clergyman scold them?'
Melody dares scold my papa" said
Compton proudly. Then, after refec-
tion. Perhaps when we are older we
may persuade them 10 make friends
think II is very stupid TO quarrel; don't
your
"As stupid as an owl"
You and / had a quarrel once Ru-
perta."
"Yes. you misbehaved"
mo. no; you were cross"
"Storyl Well never mind; we did quar-
rel. And you were miserable directly"
mot so very" said Compton, tossing
his head.
Il was then" said Ruperta. with un-
guarded candor
so was l."
Good boy Kiss me. dear"
"There-and there-and there--and-"
THAT Will do. l want 10 talk. Comp
ton"
yes dear"
I'm not very sure. but I rather think
I'm In love with you-a little. little bit,
you know"
And I'm sure I'm in love with you.
Ruperta."
over head and ears7''
Yes"
"Then I love you TO detrsction. Bother
the satei IL IL wasn't for that could
run in the meadow with you. and marry
you perhaps, and so gather cowslips
together for ever and ever"
LET us open II"
"You can't"
let us try"
II have. It won't he opened"
"Jet me try. Some gates want 10 be
lifted up a little. and then they viii
open. There, I told you So"
The gate came open.
Il. -. - A..