The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-12-30
Bohemian or Puritan =?
BY FANNIE WILDER BROWN.


Bohemian.
Il don't, and there isn't so much Fl,
7 i'll it, either. And don't YOU see, Mad@;
we can't get any reading done this winty
at this rate? Every one is coming an
going through this room; we can put II
assign, NO Thoroughbred and, if we coulC
you wouldn't allowit. Aren't you vii
ing to sacrifice whim for the sake of in
proving my mind
81 would sacrifice good many within
if could to that, Ray, but this docSn'
seem to me to be within. If Helen come
back to room with NE again next week
you and | will read to9ethcrin our room
just as we did last winter. If not, wei
have to read down here in the parlpr, O
give it up
Look here, Madge. You don't mean t,
say that we've got to give up all thos
cosey evenings upstairs, with the littl
suppers, and the music, and the study
just because Helen isn't to be sitting i,
her corner making pictures while we ar
playing Bohenlians::"
Madge stood with her hands tight,
clasped behind her, Raymond Burton
could not see how tightly. He did no
know that the tears were dangerously
near the bright eyes which flashed as sh,
said firmly:
Yes. ! have tried TO make mvscl
think that we can go on just the sam,
without her. but cant persuade my
self that it is right. What do YOU sup
pose Aunt Kate would say"
Aunt Kate be hanged" exclaimed Ray
mond hotlv, walking back and forth The
length of the room. she has never hvct
in Il city lodging house. All she knows
about is life at Oaklands. and that's ;
different proposition. Ask Mrs. Grim
shave, and see what she SAYS"
81 did.
"Well:"
"Shc said: All my dodgers as ;heii
comp'ny i'll their own rooms. don't
keep none as don't be ave themselves; an
if as reason to think they amt respec
terrible, turns EN- bout. But you car
ave the parlor hall you wishes, miss. ur
less my Caroline wantsit, witch she don't
now as she amt keepin' comply. But
wen the bell rings, we'as to come in i
it's anybody to ask erbout rooms"
Madge's imitation of Mrs. Grim
Shave was so perfect that Ray laughed
till the tears came, and then Madge
wiped her own eyes, and asked pleading
ly:
you don't think she is as good judge
of what is nice for me to do as Aunt
Kate, do you, Nay"
Ray hesitated. contrasting the prim
spotless, delicate Aunt Kate and the
tlorid Mrs. Grimshawe. But he knew
any concession would be fatal to his de
termination, so he said sharply:
"She knows more about the customs
of the city, and she is just as Straight
too, in her way. But there's no use in my
saying anything. If you've got your
|
you from your path. But you can trave
it alone! | won't spend a single evening
in this room, right i'll every ones way
not one; and I'm not going to stay in my
own room, either. There are places
enough to 60 to. Maybe you think In
not to be trusted" Ray hurried on, lash
| ,r,,r HI int a..
him careless of hurting his friend. You
don't seem to be very we'll acquainted
with me, though we have played together
ever since we were babies. Doyou think
would behave any differently fol
Helen's not being there? or would you:
We're only 'chumS, anyway, and where's
the harm? thought you were above
SUCH petty considerations as what any
one would say who didn't understand
the circumstances. Every one knows
you're al right; no one in the world
would think of talking about you. Even
if you did odd things, every one who
knew YOU would know there was no harm
in them; but this isn't odd; it is the Gus.
tom of the place you live in.
81 have thought of all that" said
Ma igc.
eff you are tired of my friendship, anG
wlnt to be rid of ME, say so, and wont
,me again. l won't come. anyway
if you can't trust me in your room"
"Pcrhaps." said Margaret steadily
though with great effort, You better
not come again until Monday. If Heller
comes back, she will be here then, as he
term at the Art School begins Tuesday.
CAS- you say, Madge,' replied Ray
mond; but think you'd better make ;
clean sweep this time. You won't 20 t,
this and that place of amusement which
| think perfectly proper-I wouldn't asl
you to go to one that wasn't; and YOU
are awfully particular about what I
fellow says, when you know all the Will
he means as we'll as you do yourself; ant
you won't even let me call YOU pet names
or hold your hand when get homesick
and can't stand being held i'll such /;
tight leash Let me be conscience for ;
while won't ask you to do anything
, think is wrong and see if we don
have a much better time. promise yut
we won't be any worse off for it, on III,
honor. We have played we were Bohe
mians, and had fun out of it; where tn,
harm? Just for this winter. on trial, let!
be Bohcmians. What say :"
Madge's clnched hands crushed he
rings into her slender fingers as she stoot
swayed by the conflict between incltna
ton and-was it conscience, or only Puri
tanism If the choice had involved an,
recognizable principle, how easy her dc
csion would have been. She stood Will
her eyes fixed upon little landscap
hung high on the parlor wall, and seemed
to be intent on waiting for the drifting O
some heavy clouds above the tops of in
possible trees. Two men let themselvc
into the hall and passed up the stairs
, One called to chambermaid who hat
just gone down, Bring me up pitche
of hot water and some tumblers, Jane
:. and he quick, will you?" A cat howlet