The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-20
(Continued.)
CHAPTER XXXYIL.

curious one. "who nursed you. charies?'
what when was a babyf How can
T tenr Yes, by the bye, Il was my
mother nursed me--so was told"
And your mother was a lie Compton.
This poor boy was nursed by servant.
Oh. she hss some good qualities, and csr-
tainly devoted to us-to this day her face
brishtens at sight of me--but she is es-
sertiaiIy vulgar: and do you remember.
Charles wished TO wean him early; putl
was cverTuled. and the poor child drew
fis nature from that woman for nearly
eighteen rnonths; Il Is thing unheard OF
nowadays"
..welj. hut surely Il is from our parents
that we draw our nature.
mo; I think Il is from our nurses. III
Compton or Alec eve: turn out IKE reg
inaid, blame nobody but their nurse. ara
that Is me-"
Cir Charles smiled family at this piece
az feminine logic, and asked her what
Re should do.
she said shs was quite unable to ad-
wise. MIR. Ro'fe was coming 20 see them
soon: perhaps he might be able TO sug-
gest something
Sir Charles said no would consult him,
hut ne was clear or ono thing. the boy
must re sent from Huntercombe. ana
a. separated from all hs present ac-
cuainJances.
Mr. Roi!e came. and the distressed
faihcr opened his hea-t 10 MIN l.. strict
confidence respecting Reg Maid.
Rolfs listened and sympathized, ana
knit his brow. and asked time 10 consider
wnat ne had card, and also TO study the
boy for himself
Hc anGlcd fer him rtxt- day accord
i,giy. little table was taken out on
the lawn. and presently Mr.. Rolfe issued
forth In rriforn Of dark blue flannel
and a soulbrero hat ard set TO wofk
writing a nov ei I'm the sun.
Reg,naid in due course cescried this
figure. anil IL srnackec SC OF that Bohe-
ria TO which his own soul belonged, that
he was attracted u by, but made his
approaches stcG thily like little cat.
Presently hodie ent Off behind
trs,. SO close that re novelist leaped out
OF hts seat with an eldritch screecn; for
he had long fol gotten all about Mr.. Reg
iiiald and, whom h. got heated In this
kind of composition, any sudden sound
seemed to HIS tense nerves and broiling
brain about ten times as loud as 1t re-
ally was.
Having relieved himself with a yell he
sat down with the mien OF a martyr ex
pecting tortures; but he was most agree
ably disappointed the little monster
played and English melody, and played II
in tune. This done ne whistled quick
tune and played slow second TO IL in
perfect harmony: this done he whistled
quick treble-a very simple feat. but still
ingenious for boy, and new to his
hearer.
Bravo! bravor cried Rolfe with all
his heart.
Mr.. Reginald emerged radiant with
vanity. You are like me, Mr.. Writer"
said he; you don't like 20 be cooped UP
indoors"
II wish could play the fiddle like
you, my fine fellow"
''Ah. you can't do that all in minute:
see the time have been at It,"
"Ah. to be sure, forgot your anti
guilty"
And II isn't time only; It's giving your
mind TO IT, old chap"
What, you don't give your mind TO
your books, then. as you do 20 your
fiddle, young gentleman
Not such a fiat. Why, lookee here,
governor. II you 20 and give your mind
to thing you don't like. it's always
time wasted, because some other chap,
that does like IL. will beat you. and
what's the use working for 10 he beat7''
For Is redundant" objected Rofe.
but II you stick hard to the things
you like. you do 'em downright well.
But old people are such fools. they always
drive you the wrong way. They make
~
you might as we'll set the hen bulInnches
to pipe. Look at the gals an come here.
how they rattle up and down the plano.
and can't make IL sing a niorsel why,
they couldn't rattle like that, II they a
music In their skins. d-n EN-: and they
drive me to those stupid books. because
I'm all for music and moonshine. Can
you keep a secret?"
"As the tomb"
We'll. then. can do plenty ~ things
well, besides fiddling: I can set wire
with any poacher In the parish. have
caught plenty OF our old mans hares in
my time: and II takes a workman to set
d wire as II should be. Show me a wire.
and Ill tell you whether IL was Hudson.
or whitbsck. or Squirting Jack. or who
1t was that set n. know all their work
that walks by moonlight hereabouts
This ie criticism: a science: 7 prefer
art; play me another tune my bold Bo-
hemian."
"Ah. thought 7 should catch We with
my fiddle. You're not such muff as
the others. old 'un. not by a long chalk.
Hang me. IL ! won't give ye Ireland s
music, and I've swore never 10 waste
that on q fool"
He played the old Irish air so simply
and tunably. that Rolfe leaned back in
his chair. with half-closed eyes. in soft
voluptuous ecstasy.
The youngster watched him with his
coai-black eye.
'T like you" easd he. better than I
thought should-a precious eight"
Highly iattered."
Come with me. and hear my nurse
sing g."
What. and leave my novel7"
''Oh. bother your novel"
"And 80 ! will. That will be TIT for tat:
n has bothered me. Lead on. Bohemian
bold"
The hoy took him over hedge and ditch.
the shortcut TO Meyrick's farm. and
caught Mrs. Meyrick. and said she must
sing 'Treland's music" To Rolfe the
writer.
Nrs. Meyrick apologized for her dress.
and affected shyness about singing Mr.
Reginald stared AT first. then let her know
that II she was going 20 be affected like
the girls that came 10 the hall. he should
hate her. as he ala them. ana tpis he
confirmed with a naughty word.
Thus threatened. she came 10 book and
Traf 1aSt L. L.