Oxford Democrat., 1906-09-11

your sleeve. Has an A. Is. from wellesley
and claims she was born and bred In Bos-
ton, which Is really all have against her.
The twins began by hating her. and
had to give 'em a couple OF thrashings
apiece to make 'em stop playing unheard
OF practical jokes. Now have to thrash
'em to keep 'em from loving her too strsn-
uously.
It's getting too much for me. II you
expect to keep my gray hairs out OF the
grave. you come home and distract their
attention. You always could manage
them, because you did not have to live
with them. This is both prayer and .
command. Come home and help your
helpless DAD
p. s.-n you still feel that you must
marry, marry the govsrnsss. She's the
best l ever saw-from Boston too. Pri-
vately, l think she was born In Chicago.
and Wellesley Is all that ails her. Per-
haps she knows you. haven't asked her.
He sent this letter and at dinner
that evening looked around bis table
with q complacent and chuckling sat.
isfaction. The twins looked thin and
pathetic and tried not to eat much.
Miss Gray was demure and smiling In
dainty dinner gown, and the holden.
Bess, had her hair ribbons properly
tied and both stockings pulled up. Din
ner was peaceful, but there was
tempest afterward, and Mr.. Barton
sent the twins to bed at 8 o'clock. He
was unusually gentle and patient with
them.
After they had made up for the night
they talked about this. They did not
like the look Of 1t.
"Did you see how he grinned at herf
Just like an old goat! II We don't set.
tie who's to have her and get busy,
he'll end things by getting her him
SELF" said Bert.
Make pretty stepmother Rather
prettier than her stepsons. ] should
say" was the !nsinuating reply.
Two days later Mr.. Barton came to
lunch with telegram in his hand.
"Tve good news" he said. "Bob's
coming Thursday"
Bess gave a whoop and a Jump and
grabbed the telegram, which Bert
snatched from her hand before she
had had a chance to read q word.
"Hurrahw yelled Dick, doing q war
dance speciality Of his.
Miss Gray, with very red face.
tried to keep Bess from dancing Q Jig
on the table, and Mr.. Barton, seeing
her evident annoyance, spoke apollo
gctically. "When you become acQuaint.
ed with Bob you'll not wonder quite 80
much at this fiendish JOY. He's rather
good sort, II he is like his dad.
Shouldn't wonder II you'd like him."
he continued complacently. He has
habit OF being fond OF Boston"
Il shall 60 my best to like him." she
said prettily to the old man, and as she
ran upstairs size said to herself. iii
see that the Boston habit becomes set
tied"
Thursday came. All the family but
the governess went to the train, and
Bob was Almost carried home OH the
family shoulders. Dinner had been
postponed r0r his coming and Hiss
Gray waited rather ne:vously In the
,.in.A< room. She had donned her pref
test dinner gown, and her eyes were
very brit and her cheeks very pink.
The twins came in first and stood TO
one side To see what Bob would say to
their divinity. In moment they
leaned, weak aud helpless. against each
other, ard then they feebly left the
room. Boz, not waiting for the intro
duction Mr.. Barton seemed trying to
make. walked across the room ana
calmly kissed the governess.
Mr.. Barton grew slowly. darkly pur'
pie. $50 you're In this, too, you. you
go easy, dad" said Bob. Il bet you
currency to cookies I'd beat you at this
game. You're skinned. The currency
Is mine. Buck up. dad, and salute
your daughter. AS for the twins. they
can't say they don't like their sister"