Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-01-13
OUTWITTING THE MAJOR.
katherine, ahoy!"

katherine, ahoy!"
"What's the matter, Petruchio?"
THE law and the prophets are the
matter. That is to say Aunty Prue has
the whole church conference with her
this evening""
want a REFUGEE"
Exactly. May [ cross the garden
WALTZ"
Let me think. I'm not quite sure you
ought not to stay-for the good of your
SOUL
Bother my soul! Besides, I'd risk
talking to YOU
"Petruchio, don't be silly-else | shall
certainly leave you to yourself"
You can't. [ won't be left. l am COM
ing whether OF no.
With that Petruchio, otherwise John
nv Acton, scrambled across the brick
wall which divided him from his RATHER
inc. She was properly Anne Wheat, or
phan and heiress, with dragon of a
guardian in the person of her uncle, Maj.
Kavanagh. The nicknames came from
certain amateur theatricals. in course of
which Anne, as shrewish Katherine, had
subjugated her Petruchio-off the stage.
Bear witness, [ did not tell you to
come" Anne said But since you are
here | may as we'll tell you something
else; Uncle Fred won't hear word of
it,"
"Why, how did you know I meant to
propose?" Johnny said, in voice of in
nocent wonder, though his eyes danced.
you should certainly credit me with
at least ordinary penetration" Anne
said, trying to take her hand from his
clasp. But really, that is not at all
what [ meant. | should never waste
breath in talking to Uncle Fred of any
thing SO preposterous."
"Indeed Then what is it he won't
hear word of" Johnny asked, reaching
for her other hand. She put it behind
her as she ans Sered-
why, to having dance upon my
birthday. He says it is the worst pos
sible taste to emphasize birthdays and
that ten years hence I'll be grateful to
MIN for having saved me from such a
mistake"
q see He thinks you may want to
take reef in your age. No doubt he'd
like to do it now, and make you out only
l6 instead of 49," Johnny said. 81 don't
much blame him, though-he must be
loath to part with YOU
with my money, you mean," Anne
said, signing slightly. Poor uncle!
Money is the only thing he ever did
truly love. l would gladly give him half
[ have only [ know he would be quite as
miserable thinking about the other hall"
II wish you'd give him all of it,"
Johnny said, impulsively, "then l should
dare ask you to marry me out of hand.
You know, and [ know, L have nothing
but expectations-but, Anne, darling,
even if Aunt Prue did turn rusty, l
shouldn't let you starve.''
'Why do you object to my poor for
tuner" Anne asked, saucily. 'Now, l
think ready money is not only a con-
venience, but an ornament.
Not a doubt of it," Johnny said,
promptly ''The trouble is a fellow who
hasn't got it, if he's half way a decent
sort, hesitates about carrying off girl
who has got it, in spite of her pastors
and masters.
Aren't you brave enough to defy they
say in all it's works." Anne asked.
By way of answer Johnny kissed her.
She pushed him away gently, but pre-
tended to frown as she said:
Il am disappointed! l thought you
were original i'll everything. Kisses are
as old AS"
'As old as love-and as new" Johnny
interrupted, then irrelevantly: "How
old is the major?''
'SiXty last month";" Anne said, in Won
der. Johnny ran on:
And Aunt Prue is fifty odd, and worth
fifty thousand. katherine, do you not
perceive the hand of Providence in it
all?"
& seem to see that YOU have lost your
wits" Anne retorted.
Johnny caught her hand.
Come with me to the house." he said ;
Il have q duty to discharge which can
not be longer shirked."
Three minutes later he stood facing
Maj. Kavanagh, who sat at his desk
nosing over accounts. Unhesitatingly
Johnny plunged into the middle of things.
Mai. Kavanagh," he said you can
hardly be surprised that | have come to
ask your intentions"
''lntentions!"
The major was almost apoplectic
yes. sir! Intentions!'' Johnny repeat
ed. | have not been blind, / assure you.
First you induce my dear aunt to be-
come virtually your tenant, then you are
in and out of the house and grounds at
all hours. Beyond that, you have held
clandestine meetings, talked across the
rose hedge, the wall even. Don't deny
it, sir ! have watched you from day
to day. My. dear aunt began by having
! an exalted respect for you as the counsel
OF of her late husband She is a woman
tender, clinging, warm hearted
| too warm hearted to be the victim Of a
trif1er. That | will not have-not even
though it ruins my own prospects to
| prevent it.
| He finished with an audible sigh An
ger had melted into amazement, amaze
me1it into sheepish, gratifed vanity. The
| major had looked down, naf simpering
! throughout the last half Of Johnny's long
,peech.
At the close he got up and held out his
| and, saying:
Hist, lad! I thought / was sly-but
;oung eyes are sharp-as sharp as old
| wits. | see it's no use to blus5er and tell
We Pve 10 intentions-for I have; the