Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-07-28
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
''Do you belong, may I ask, to the
genus ape, bird or pixie" said Brian
Desmond, as he stood looking up into the
Branches Of the cherry tree.
1t was Z o'clock in the morning,
ereditable hour for him to be abroad,
perambulating the garden. The birds
were shouting their morning paeans to-
gether, in a glorious chorus of confused
sweetness. The dew lay fresh and heavy
upon the grass under his feet, the flow
ers opened wide their starry cups to
greet their lord the sun, and Brian Des-
mond stared up into the cherry tree,
where, among the crimson drops of ruddy
&ruit, was perched a small, elf-like crea-
ture, with yellow hair, white garments
Of indistinct formation. and preternatur-
ally large blue eyes that gazed down
gravely into his.
IN Sither." answered the creature seri
"a Ally. Genus man-sex feminine |
am Il woman"
''Indeed?" doff1ng his hat with mock
politeness. Il am glad to have been in
formed of so important fact; had you
aot told me. | should never have OWNED
=
Because | am a woman" she repeat
ed seriously.
Brian laughed. This, of course, must
BE Miss Laybourne, his future charge,
aged 10.
Indeed, seen from this lower level,
Grumpled up over his head, into small
&wisted form between the arms of two
branches of the tree, she might certainly
far Il
What is your name, you odd little
girl2"
Upon my tombstone I shall be de-
scribed as Catherine Elizabeth Lay
bourne. AS l am not yet placed beneath
it | have been hitherto called Kitten"
You are a very amusing kitten, at
any rate" he said laughingly. Come
down and talk to me-"
why should l? You get up her and
talk to me-.
Good gracious! Do you know my
age?"
Thirty eight" replied Kitten prompt
by, being we'll informed upon this par
ticular point.
why, you seem to know everything"
answered Desmond, in surprise.
Things are not what they seem, then.
There is something | don't know yet.
If you come up here | will tell you"
Upon my Iife-'' he began, but
simultaneously he began to climb also.
He swung himself lightly up on to the
Branch, and landed himself by Kittens
side.
What is it you don't know?" he asked
Der. noting that on nearer inspection
she certainly must be over ten.
Il don't know whether you like cherry
Eart or not" He forebore with wonder
full self-command to express his disap-
pointment at this apparently irrelevant
remark.
"Hum--that depends" he said medita-
sively. ION the cherries to begin with;
ahey must be ripe. On the crust, which
nust be faky. And upon the condi-
ment served with it, which must be
cream"
Then you had it all last night" she
cried triumphantly. Did you like it;
was it nice:"
SO it was not an irrelevant catechism,
but Il trap TO catch him, after all. He
owned with confusion that he had not
easted any of the cherry tart in ques-
sion.
"Oh. what Il shame! and l had thought
Of it so much. Why didn't you eat it 2"
Il really don't know
sit must certainly be as l said to
Daddy" she remarked. surveying him
xeaectively with those grave infantine
blue eyes; 1T must be because you are
500 old
LAS you are on the subject of age.
perhaps you will kindly favor me with
yours" he said.
Certainly l am sixteen"
sixteen" he cried in amazement
~Why. l thought you were only ten
Then you We're very stupid to think
So" she replied, in a perfectly tran
auil voice.
He looked at her attentively He be-
gan 10 perceive that she was no child.
Aat a lovely girl of the most fairy-lik
aype, a flower bud just emerging into
wamanhood. Her geld crowned head.
Aer pure delicate-hued profile turned
slightly from him, the transparent taper
&agers that played with a cluster of
crimson cherries-alI were those of a
woman, and not of a child. He had
Asen stupid, no doubt!
And then he fell TO wondering what
an earth he should do. should this
strange. elf-like. woman-child ever be left
@pan his hands Brian began to think
aAxE he had undertaken rather more than
Ae Aargained for
Il am going to get down now, please"
Pray allow me TO assist your" said
Bxsan in his best society manner.