The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-05-01
.A BADLY WRITTEN CARD


names written Oh CaluS ta'h'N w XIV
doors as they assembled. There were a
fat o. lady and several young ones,
some of whom We're very pretty.
Here it is, mamma" said Il of the
girls, pausing before II of the doors
and studying the card-"B. Bewster-
Bob Bewster.'
THAT can't be it," said a prim girl
in glasses, coming up behind. III
would be II. Bewster. X stand for
Robert
Not at all. College fellows are al
ways called Bob and Billy and such
short nameS.'
The elderly lady pushed the two girls
aside. put on a pair Of glasses, looked
at the card. then knocked at the door.
There was Il sound of a latch moving
as some one within pulled q lazy
string" the old lady pushed open the
door. and there behind a desk by a
window sat "A young man studying.
Bob, don't you know me!"
"Why. certainly" said the young
man with his tongue while his express
sion clearly indicated that he did not.
You're Bobby Bewster, aren't you:"
The young man looked perpleXed.
Evidently there was some mistake, but
in such matters it is best to proceed
with caution 50 as not to give oneself
away. The student cast his eye up at
q card hung against the wall on which
was printed in old Roman letters "Fes-
tina lente" ego slow. then he caught
the saucy eve of one of the girls. His
resolution was taken.
you're my aunt" he said, and. adj
~vancing with a happy smile, he gave
the old lady IA stage embrace, touching
her cheek lightly with his lips and for
an infinitesimal fraction of a second.
q knew we were right. Yes, I'm
Aunt Jane, and these are your cousins.
with whom you used to play when you
were a little boy before your mother
brought you to the east. This is Kit
ty"-
The young man stepped up to Kitty.
the saucy eyed girl, and kissed her.
".And this is Jennie, and this is Maud,
and this is Ethel"
Every girl received a cousinly kiss,
and when the Introduction was finished
the college man repeated the process,
SO glad was he to see his cousins.
ooh. Bob, what a fine fellow you've
grown to be-"
"What electives do you take this
| term?' asked the cousin in glasses.
Electives? Oh. I'm taking those
that don't interfere with athletic eXer-
cises. You see. I'm captain of the
crew and on both the baseball and
football teams, and I haven't much
time for study"
The girl in glasses looked shocked.
II should suppose" she said contemp-
tuously. that it would be just the 9th
er way"
Not at all" said the girl with the
saucy eyes. care of the body is of
more Importance than care of the
brain. Besides, | dare say Cousin Bob
is bright enough to GO through college
without killing himself studying"
Good for you. Cousin Kitty" And
the scamp stepped up to Kitty and
gave her another kiss.
hSlC was d MUM AT lhC uooi. Ii
host looked uneasy, but gave a pull at
the lazy string. A man came hurried
ly in and stopped suddenly at seeing
the visitors. The host looked unutter-
able things at the newcomer. then said
quickly in order to head him off, This
is my aunt, Mr.. Cawley, and my cous-
ms"
Mr.. Cawley bowed very low. II only
came in to ask you to lend me your
calculus for awhile. Mine is loaned
to that beggar Bewster, who hasn't re-
turned it."
"Bewster!" exclaimed Aunt Jane.
What do you mean? Isn't this Bobby
Bewster?"
The student. who had been playing
a part. turned scarlet. The old lady.
who began to fancy something had
gone wrong, waddled to the door and
threw it open. exposing the card to the
assembled party. There it is. If that
isn't b. Bewster. I'd like to know what
it is"
The owner Of the room grew redder
than ever The newcomer burst into a
laugh.
Il always told you. Tom" he said.
that your door card would bring you
to grief. Madam. that second letter is
not a B; it's an X. The name is Brew
ster. AS you read it it is B. Reuster,
alias Il. Rooster. which is the gentle
mans most appropriate name.
81 should think So" said the lady.
shifting the air like a steed about to 90
into battle.
Il am very sorry" said Mr.. Brewster
humbly. I'm sure | didn't say any
thing about my name"
"You admitted that it was Bob
snorted the old lady.
did II"
Come, girls" continued the mother,
remembering the kisses. and she gath
cred them as a hen gathers her chick
ems and strutted out. Kitty was the
last to leave and as she did so put out
her hand. Brewster took it and whis-
pered:
Can you forgive me?"
Certainly. The mistake was per-
fectly natural"