The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-24
NANCY'S DRAWING MASTER.

The door opened to admit man Oh
middle height, with black beard ana
whiskers, and hair of dull, shadowless
black. His face was so overpowered oy
this black framework that nc man after
talking to the new baronet for an hour
could tell you whether his nose was
or crooked, whether his eyes
were blue or green, honest or shi1ty.
They only knew that he was very black.
II thought perhaps you would come
on from the Carlyon wedding" The
woman's eyes shone out in welcome
Had the new bride and bridegroom
left, when you came away, and whence
are they going for the honeymoon"
''Venice,. believe"
"Ah," said Mrs Corbett with mild
enthusiasm, show delightful! My Sis
ter has just gone there, for the first
time. She is most artistic person, and
writes with such real feeling about
everything there. 1 do love genuine ar
tistic feeling. She writes to me this
morning that she is staying at a hotel
on the Grand canal, and drinking it all
in Life is very FULL she says Pos
sibly the bridal pair will meet my sis
ter and her husband. His name is Mel
lish, Julian Mellish. Bring me his
photograph to show to Sir John, Nancy;"
and, as the child left the room reluc-
family, Mrs. Corbett ran after her with
further low toned orders. When Nancy's
clear voice came back to the mans ears,
declining to go out for a walk and deny
ing the existence of any lessons which
II L oh IN ho
room, Wilson guessed the purport OF
these orders and smiled gratefully.
But, as his hostess left him, the mans
face became suddenly haggard and gray
and ten years older. 81 must settle the
matter now" he said to himself, walking
to the window. "She got quarter of a
million from her father if she got pen
ny, and Isaacson would keep quiet if |
could promise him quarter of that.
must have it! I must make certain of
it now" He walked back to the sofa,
biting his nails. 'The moneys come to
her since that skunk Corbett was
drowned,' he muttered again, $50 it can't
be in settlement. I'll have it-and
within a fortnight! The smash won't
come yet"
AS Mrs. Corbett came back into the
room he went up to her and took her
hand. The business was really very
difficult, for he positively disliked the
woman; her simpering, placid face, inert
movements, and smiling stupidity en-
ragged him every time he saw her. His
ideal woman swore freely, could drink
nine men out of ten under the table, and
kept parties of love-making miners in
order with revolver. However, he had
hardly begun before Nancy ran into the
room again. 1t was the last straw added
to his contempt for his intended wife,
that she could not even turn her child
out of the room successfully.
Mummy" said the child excitedly.
Frederick says Mr. Seaton has comet
you know, that man who wrote this
morning about the drawing lessons; and
you thought he might do for me-,
A gaunt, roughly dressed man of As
came slowly into the room, looking
round him very anxiously. holding out
his hand to Mrs. Corbett. and then with
drawing 1t hastily, with a dry, quickly
checked smile, as though he had forgot
ten himself. II had the honor of writing
to you, madam" he said in slow, sing
song voice, with strong colonial &C
cent, suggesting some drawing lessons,
and you kindly telephoned me to CALL"
eyes," said Mrs. Corbett amiably.
MY friend Sir John Wilson suggested
a little sketching tour in Normandy for
us, and I should like my daughter to
have some extra lessons first. Are you
free at once?"
Eyes No, not at ALL" Seaton
seemed to awake to Mrs Corbett's ques-
ton with slight start, but took no no.
tice of it when he did wake up. On the
contrary, he advanced to Wilson. and
said curtly: 'I have had the pleasure of
meeting you before, somewhere, sir"
Every likely you have met me some
where" said the other haughtily. 81
employ large number of people of all
classes in my business"
"You were crossing from Melbourne
to New Zealand six years ago, I think
81 daresay I was" said Wilson cold
ly. eyes, in point of fact, was. What
then, sir?" The uncomfortable look
which always came into this mans face
whenever anyone referred to events of
more than five years ago was conspicu-
Gus there now.
Il think friend of mine was on
board" went on the dry, monotonous
voice. "He told me all about that voy-
age"
"Why, that was the voyage" said
Mrs. Corbett, with her usual mild en-
thusiasm, "when the New Zealand slip
was wrecked, and Sir John Wilson be-
haved SO CALAMITY
"Was it? asked Seaton; and slow
smile, which might mean anything
even admiration-drifted across his tace
cit was entirely owing to him that
anybody was saved" went OH Mrs. Cor.
bett, noticing only with an affectionate
shake of the head Wilson's entreaties to
her to stop. Yet the entreaties seemed
to have some real meaning on this &C.
casion; 81 don't care how often l repeat
the story. My poor dear husband was
on board, so, of course, I was interest.
ed"
"Of course" Seaton bowed to the
lady, and put an extra mournful touch
of sing-song into his voice as he went
on. 'Sir John behaved very differently
from another man on board, about whom
my friend told me. This man got first
into a boat, and while the sailors were
trying to lift some women into it, JIG
shouted to them to row away from the
side, because the ship was sinking
Finally the boat did upset, and this man
got spar to himself, and swan off
holding on to it. Another chap laid hold
of it. too, but this person just doubled
up his fist and hit him crack on the
head which made hun let go and sink"
you've been telling imaginative
stories to Mrs Corbett," said Wilson =