Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-10-28
CHAPTER Y.
OWENS FIRST PRAYERS.

OWENS FIRsT PRAYERS
tM KT was with hesitation, almost
III 4 with fear. that / began with
E99FSSt. Gwen But even had / been
Gsks able to foresee the endless
series OF exasperations through which
she was destined TO conduct me. still
would have undertaken my task.
For the child. with ali her wiIlfuIness,
her tempers and her pride. made me,
as she did all others, her willing slave.
Her lessons went on. brilliantly or
not at all, according TO her sweet will.
She learned TO read with extraordinary
rapidlty, for she was eager to know
more Of that great world OF which the
Duke had told her such thrilling tales.
Writing she abhorred. She had no
one to write to. Why should she
cramp her fingers over these crooked
little marksI But she mastered with
hardly a struggle the mysteries OF fig
ures, for she would have TO sell her
cattle, and dad doesn't know when
they are cheating" Her ideas of edu-
cation were purely utilitarian. and
what did not appear Immediately use
full she refused TO trifie with. And so
all through the following long winter
she veXed my righteous soul with her
willfulness and pride. An appeal TO
her father was idle. She would wind
her long. thin arms about his neck
and let her waving red hair float over
him until the old man was quite help
less 70 exert authority. The Duke
could do most with her. To please
him she would struggle with her crook
ed letters for an hour at a time, but
even his influence and authority had
fits limits.
Must II" she said one day in an
swer 10 n demand Of his for more
faithful study; must IT' And.
throwing up her proud little head and
shaking back with n trick she had
her streaming red hair, she looked
straight at him from her blue gray
eyes and asked the monosyllabic Ques-
ton. "WhyF And the Duke looked
back at her with his slight smile for
a few moments and then said in cold.
even tones:
81 really don't know why" and
turned his back on her Immediately
she sprang at him. shook him by the
arm and. quiver.ng with passion, cried:
you are not TO speak TO me like that,
and you are not to turn your back
that way!''
What little princess It IS" he said
admiringly, and what time she will
give herself some dayr' Then he added.
smiling sadly: WAS rude GwenP
Then am sorry" Her rage was gone,
and she looked as II she could have
held him by the feet. AS Il was, too
proud to show her feelings, she Just
looked at him with softening eyes, and
then sat down TO the work she had
refused. This was after the advent OF
the Pilot at Swan Creek, and, as the
Duke rode home with me that night,
after long musing he said with hesita-
ton: "She ought TO have some re-
ligion, poor child; she will grow up a
perfect little devil. The Pilot might
be Of service II you could bring him
up. Women need that sort OF thing.
1t refnes, you know"
would she have him p asked.
Question" he replied doubtfully.
You might suggest it."
Which I did, introducing somewhat
clumsily, fear, the Dukes name
1.-THE Duke says he is TO make me
goodr' she cried. II won't have him.
i hate him, and you toor' And for
that day she disdained all lessons, and
when the Duke next appeared she
greeted him with the exclamation. 81