The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-02-25
THE PIERRETTE
AND THE PEER

which the performers descended from
their concert stand, and when the Pier
cite tripped down the steps, he advanced
towards her and raised his hat.
Good EVENING"" he said.
The Pierette gave little guilty start.
"Good gracious!" she exclaimed, step
ping down-''is it your"
EYES," said the Peer, II believe so.
Permit me to congratulate you. You
have charming voice."
ooh, thanks she murmured perfume
torily cts, of course, very good of
you, but she stopped short and threw
a quick. furtive glance round her.
The Peer laughed gently.
"What-an escort ?" he hazarded. 81
really trust not-for I ventured to hope
that you might honor me by accepting
mine-at any rate, for this evening"
The Pierette caught the slight infiec-
ton of irony in his tone, and her brows
drew together.
IF you intend to be horriG-" she be-
gam.
''I DON'T" the peer fastened to inter-
rupt her. "But, pardon me, may I ask
where we are going?"
''Well-I was going home" she replied
with indecision.
"Supposing," suggested the Peer, ''we
stroll to the end of the pier and sit down
ON one of those sheltered seats yonder %
eff you insist" she pouted.
"I do" said the Peer, pointing to a
small embrasure as he spoke.
The Pierette cast a quick glance be-
hind her and sat down. Her companion
laughed softly.
"Yes,' he remarked, as though an
swering her unuttered thought. II, too,
thought I heard footstep behind us
but can perceive no one"
"How did you find out WEI was
here?" she demanded abruptly.
"Chance," said the Peer, waving his
cigar vaguely in the air to indicate en-
tire responsibility in the matter at
is also rather a select place. Young
ladies of fair social position who run
away from home to become itinerant
vocalists would instinctiveIy choose such
place in preference to more plebeian
haunts.'
II don't see," she said, "why you
wanted to find me-or what business it
is of anyone's to try to interfere in my
affairs like this"
''The explanation of that, too" he re-
marked, after an instant's pause. sis
simple. When l pointed out to your
/ good parents that a marriage between
you and my remarkably pig headed son
Charlie was out of the question: Charlie
being penniless. and I myself'-he sighed
-''being next door to it-they quite fell
in with my views, and, as you are aware,
brought some pressure to bear upon you
| TOTO persuade you to bestow your
heart and hand elsewhere"
''On curate!" said the Pierette, with
a contemptuous toss of the head ''Now,
candidly, do you think I am the sort of
girl to marry curate?"
"Candidly," he answered, ri do not
unless, that is, he were of very ad-
vanced type At the same time. it
scarcely occurs to me that you are the
sort of girl to marry penniless lay
man, either. Moreover, [ considered it
necessary that Charlie should wed a
rich woman. I found an American heir
ess. I brought ner imetaphorically) to
his feet: and -metaphorically, of
course-spurned her. Why? Because he
had made up his mind, or what serves
him for mind, to marry someone else!"
care you surprised?" demanded the
Pierette, with defiant glance
| NO" he said slowly. "The only quail
ity that Charlie appears to have inher-
tied from me is a fastidious sense of
the beautiful"
'Dear boy!" murmured the Pierrette
in parenthesis.
81 commanded him." went on the
Peer, ito marry the heiress left my
roof"
The Pierrette nodded gleefully.
eyes," she said; 81 know"
mo doubt" said the Peer dryly. "He
left my house a fortnight ago. A few
days ago, however, 1 gathered from
your father that you, too, had fled from
home, leaving behind you an explana-
tory note to say that you had decided
| to join a Pierrot concert party for the
summer, and begging your parents not
| to trouble themselves about you further
In this particular, 1 am glad to be able
to inform you that they have endeavored
| conscientiously to carry out your
wishes"
The Pierrette bit her lip.
'When heard that you had left home
to join a Pierrot troupe, something in
the nature of an inspiration seized me.
Charlie exclaimed, has gone with her.
They have probably eloped!'"
Il perceived my error while you were
singing that delightful song of yours
just now. I noticed that you wore no
wedding ring"
"And you congratulated yourself on
the discovery" she flashed. "You think
Pm not good enough to marry your
son!"
"On the contrary" smiled the Peer, 81
think you are much too good"
"Then, pray. why do you forbid him
to marry me?'' she demanded.
The Peer withdrew his cigar from his
lips.
II DON'T he said calmly.
"You don't!" cried the Pierrette, sit
ting up suddenly.
Exactly said the Peer, with unruf-
fled composure. 81 also pointed out that
/ wanted to find Charlie--I thought you
might help me to discover him."
"Why?" she demanded.
Because" said the Peer, II have had
occasion to alter my views on this en-
crossing subject during the last week
oud oo.eoaiyod yocS;hIo ,,odar Aha