Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-09-21
A FINAL ARGUME Vt.

burg
Dearest, ! would with pleasure, but
! really can't''-and my cousin, Gwen
Randall, locked depreciatingy across at
me- ITO tell the truth. Nell M plans
are rather unsettled just now
When a widow, and. moreover, a
plans are rather unsettled, there is only
one further question TO be asked.
WHO is it, GwenY'
/ She laughed little consciously, and
| then she blushed.
Sir Richard Morton"
Won't you find the daughter rather a
handful?" | asked-for | knew Norma
Morton fairly we'll
why should = asked Gwen. Isn't
she nice? How old is she, by the way?"
She is barely eighteen and dreadfully
spoiled, and has grown up with views
on every sort of subject. Have you
never met her. ] added in much aston
ishment
Gwen shook her head 'No-not Of
ten. | have just seen her once or twice,
| and she seemed a pretty little thing. /
really hardly noticed her. | am not
over fond of girls of that age. and they
are very easily put in their place. but
hope we shall be friends If | should"
she paused.
Settle your plans, said. laughing
We'll, know Norma pretty well, and
honestly think you will have your work
cut out"
Il don't think so, said Gwen. II
should be a delightful stepmother-al-
though of course, | shouldn't stand any
NONSENSE. IL there was any trouble
should send her back to school or let
her live with her aunt But why
shouldn't we get on?"
"Well," / said, doubtfully, as | rose
to so, Il don't see really why you should
not; but it will depend a good deal on
what you call nonsense. / thing Gwen
ME. from what | know of Sir Richards
daughter, he really is in need of a pro-
tector, and he could not have a better
one-for you. ut any rate, viii make him
happy
said Norma Morton, pickering up her
pretty forehead.
Great" | agreed, "and you really
ought TO write book on the Reform
alton Of Fathers"
do YOU think so?" said Norma ea-
gerly Yes, / believe | could; in fact,
! / am writing a book now-no. not on
views on the simple life and"
What is it called?"
II haven't thought Of title yet.
| think | shall call it,"
Back to the Land" | suggested.
mo" she said seriously. Il think that
has been done already-and / want to
be original"
There is nothing very original about
the simple life | began; Adam and
Eve we're"
Don't be silly" said Norma severely.
II am going to point out in my book the
nselessness of wasting money, the vul-
garity of giving pretentious dinners, and
the value of true economy, the
Doesn't your father agree with your
viewsf" / interrupted. to spare myself
further list of headings.
''Papa2 My dear, he's awful! mere
bon vivant. He eats four courses for
dinner"
Moderate man! Ny father has sew
en-
And he seemed quite vexcd when
changed If to two"
What did he sayf"
Il never repeat that sort of thing. "
said Norma sedately. Il mean TO change
| things gradually. Il sent cook away
yesterday and one of the housemaids,
and | am shutting up several of the
larger bedrooms, as | don't mean to en-
terrain, excepting, of course. my monthly
debating society. | give them tea, at
! least we cali il tea
Nice and cheap" | murmured
YES. we only have wholemcal bread
and milk. and there are apples if any
one wants them-apples are both whole
some and nourishing."
And usually sour or woolly, too.
IF they are sour they can be baked. "
Aren't you going to entertain at The
| Towers this summer | presently asked.
"No." said Norma. ''it is to be a real
rest for papa and for me. ! shall take
my debating society down for the day
next month";
| Isn't Gwen comingE" asked. !
| thought she sand your father had asked
her. My cousin, Gwen Randall" l added
| in answer to a puzzled look.
! No" said Norma. Papa did say
something about it, but TO tell the truth,
Nell. | am not going to have her. !
| know | ought not TO say so to you; bur
she is not at all my style.
! No" | agreed, looking at the severe
| little expression and the hideousiy unbe'
comingly dressed hair and out-of-taste
dress. Il don't think she really IS your
style"
$50 why have herr" asked Norma sim.
ply Il told papa | did not care for
her. nor did think her a particularly
suitable friend for him."
Truly the present day parent is well
brought up, And he was willing, OF
course. to drop her at onceI"
| No. he was very rude indeed. said
| Norma; so rude that l did not even
come down TO dinner, but l am sure he
took what l said to heart, because l put
| it so extremely plainly
II am sure he did, 1 agreed cheer
fully. land / sincerely hope he win be
come really obedient and tractahle
| parent"
You can do anything with man il
You only have the courage TO put your
foot down. said Norma with much
decision, land, fond as | am of you,
Nell, | really DO not care for your cous-
in and so ! have shown papa quite
plainly do not intend TO have here
here"
1t was very nearly six weeks later
I when, IN answer to q pressing invita-
ton. went TO spend a few days with
Norma.
Where is your fatherT" I asked as
we sat over tea
He Is up in town. but I'm expecting
hm home today, Ii is very strange. but
lie wired To the houSekeeper instead OF
Z fH hnVfA ant hos