The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-08-26
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nobody could possibly give more food
for thought and anxiety than did
Maureen OCOnnor, our niece and
ward
TO say she was pretty sounds tame.
She was as fresh and sweet az wlld
flower She was as wild az any deer
on our hills. She feared neither man
nor beast, rode horses many boys
would have declined 10 mount, could
swim like n fish and run like hare.
When ] add that she was just seven
teen, and had shut up her lesson books
with decided bang the day before her
birthday, you will perhaps understand
why my wife and were sitting look
ing at each other, discussing Maureen.
She was, or would be an heiress,
and she knew bout as much on the
subject Of money as those birds y0nder
near the marsh She could spend II,
though, for she loved giving. No tale
OF distress was ever told 10 her In vain,
for she had the warmest Of Irish
hearts The only way, indeed one
could influence her, ! found out long
ago, was TO appeal TO tbat-it was no
good lectming Maureen.
My wife was looking rather helpless.
Maureen adored her, but ruled her
absolutely. My wife worshipcd Mau-
reen, and spoiled her horribly, but to
me she always played the role Of a
dutiful ward, though she knew per
fectly well that il never deceived me
for one moment.
"She ought to 60 TO the city and
make her social debut" she said,
firmly.
II quite agree with you" said |, "but
will she go?"
IL don't know"
"Ahp | laughed, "you see, we can't
exactly make her 60"
"Have you ever been able 10 make
her do anythingY my wife asked,
scornfuly.
habit of enforcing obedience on Mau-
reen every other minute, and l was
riled.
81 haven't observed that your at
tempts in that direction have been so
very successful" I said. GROSSLY.
Whereupon we both laughed 1--WE
possess sense OF humor--a thing
which saves so many situations from
becoming seriousl.
Just then, through the open window,
we caught sight of dainty, charming
figure, in the simplest of draperics,
tearing across the lawn, three or four
dogs nj her heels.
went to the window and called her
back. She came reluctantly.
Am ] i'm for a scoldlng?" she asked,
9rcr lovely face mutinous, her eyes so
full OF laughter that they would have
disarmed the severest guardian, | al
most think.
"Come in here" said, 1--WE want TO
speak 10 you seriously"
She groaned and gave n backward
glance across the fower-spangled
meadows and the sunny garden.
"Fancy being serious on such a day.
she said. ITS wasting ones time posi-
lively, | do assure you"
However, she lifted her dainty skirts.
and with one bound was in at the
window.
MY dear" ! said, you've grown up
now. you know"
Her answer was an affectionate hug
snd III you only knew how funny you
look when you Try TO look solemn"
said she.
Well, VIC sat down. one on each side
OF her, and we propoundcd the social
debut. ] talked what believed TO hc
common sense. My wife said good
deal about parties and beautiful gowns,
and seasoned the lump with a little
worldly wisdom, which firmly believe
che had learned ont of book. as she
hasn't particle Of her own.
Maureen sat there as quiet as n
mouse and listened patiently, hut said
nothing until we came TO q full stop.
IL is n trine difficult TO go on adduc.
ing arguments in support of q plan
when nobody says anything TO contra
dict you.
This was what we both felt. so we
paused. Maureen still sat silent for q
moment, then she spoke. had never
heard Maureen's voice with that in
Hection in my lie; she was actually
serious.
MY dears." she said. and she slipped
one hand into mine and another int,
my wife's, you've been very good {,
me all my life" and there was n thrill
in her voice as she said IL which mad,
my eyes grow suddenly dim. 'T'v,
iost both father and mother. but yol
have been TO me so kind that / neve
missed either-can j say more? Bu
don't make me do this thing. wha
is the idea? shall he rich some day
and know you think me pretty, there
fore yOu would like me to make
grand marriage. don't care IL
marry or don't. but I'm quite sure
would be hateful 10 live I'm dirty oil
city, and I'm not going TO do IT, so tha
js quite settled. isn't itT''
During the first quarter of her speec
my wife and held our brcaths-it wa
90 unlike the Maureen Of every dar-