Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-05-12

IT'S like Frankenstein. something. You started
him out. and now he's going on himself"
Your little brain Is liable to turn with this,
Gracie said her brother. looking her anxiously.
"You run along and play with Jackson. Leave q
to mature minds to cope with this problem"
II think" said Diana. that will excuse roo
both from further assistance"
Grace swung her racket excitedly. "wen all
l can say is. she remarked. that II you had let
him stay dead you would have saved yourself .
lot OF trouble" She started down the steps with
righteous switch of her skirts. Diana got her hat
May ask where you are goingf" said Peter.
II would oRer to go with you." said Peter.
ut wouldn't do you any good" said Miss STA
clair. She pinned the big white hat and gave
an absent-minded touch to the lace OF her high
collar Then she gathered up her skirts and de-
parted.
Left alone, Peter devoted himself to meditation.
AS the man OF the family 1t his duty to straight
en- things out He would 60 down by the big elm,
matters r: gave M Gresham h:,; na an bon-
longer to get through his errands in the villages
then he put "Stalky and Co." In his pocket and
strolled lsisurey down through the fields to the
big elm. and he went he revolved In his mind
how he and Mr. Gresham would laugh the
mistake. and how he would go back to the hotel
and make Diana happy with the news that she was
again at liberty to wear her thirty years In honor.
able spnstsrhood. There was bench under the
tree. Peter laid himself down upon It and read.
A half hour later he closed the book with Q
reminiscent grin and raised himself upon his elbow
to look around One astonished stare he gave and
fell back upon the bench. "oh. my sacred Sam"
said Peter. out Of Stalky and Co. Three people
were approaching! Up the road from the village
came Mr.. Gresham Down the road from the hotel
came Diana. Across the fields came Grace!
Diana had reached the bench She looked down
upon the PROSTATE Peter. and her expression was
such as to make that young man roll over and hide
his face in his arms
II WISH" said Diana, sharply. to his shaking
back. that 1t were possible to lose you for q mo-
ment."
Have you noticed" gurgled Peter. that
Diana followed his pointing finger: then she SAT
down heavily Peters feet.
Grace climbed the ste in a rush. and descended
upon them in state OF red-faced reproach why
In the world couldn't you stay away?" she demand
ed. Il came down here to tell Mr.. Gresham"
Three souls with but single thought" said
Peter IF you will remove hundred and forty
pounds OF wrath and CONSERVATION from my feet,
Diana, will meet the approaching cause of all
woe"
Mr.. Gresham exhibited no surprise at the sight
of the three cousins on the bench. He was looking
rather serious He spoke directly to Diana.
II. carelessly." he said. neglected to give you
something that Mr.. Sinclair asked me to deliver"
He proceeded with careful deliberation to look
through his pockets. while varying emotions chased
another across the faces of the waiting trio.
"Ah here It Is" He produced and handed to her
a fiat package
"Diana took it as If 1t were bomb, and eyed
It unhapplly.
1T can't be for me-" she said. -"
"It is for you," said Mr.. Gresham and Diana,
after helpless look at the others, opened It.
No one of the other three attempted to keep
up any conversation while she slowly unwraDped
the photograph that the package contained. and
held 1t up before her. Even Mr.. Gresham seemed
to have forgotten that convention demanded a lack
of interest In other peoples packages They were
all openly watching Diana. and Diana was growing
Il was long time that she looked at it. Tnsn
she dropped 1t into her lap and two pairs OF eager
eyes fell upon it The other pair smiled into Miss
Sinclair's.
why" cried Grace. "n's you. Diana, Who Il
It with your"
Mr. Gresham answered: 1.-THE other 10 MrA
John Gresham. q cousin-in-law OF mine
And you knew all the time" Reproach, relief,
indignation, and much embarrassment mingled In
Diana's tone: then little hauteur crept in. Il
don't understand how you got this" she said.
There. IL note with It" he answered.
Diana was q good deal longer reading the n0to
than she had been looking at the picture. Nor did
she lay It down when she had finished 1t ran this
way:
you have wanted long ! am sure Diana Will
not care though | always meant to write her about
your infatuation with her pictured SELF BY the
way. hear from the Osborns that she Is going to
Kearsarge for the summer. Too bad your business
is taking you to Europe instead of to the noun
"HELEN-
But now did you see Mr. Sinclair" said Grace
Mr. Gresham laughed "Mr Sinclair Is for yos
Gracs's round eyes were still glued to the phs-
tograph In Diana's lap.
II don't understand" she said. how"
"A natural desire to get even. explained Pseef.
combined with the peruicious influence Of ne
New Thought"
But don't understand how he came - have
Dianas picture"
The solemn expression on Peters face despsnsl.
81 believe am beginning to-" he said; then
he got slowly to his feet. You 90 back ana nnlsn
your game Grace. Jackson ID waiting am gsinq
No to the house and nnd the bird woman. | want
to ind out whether the yellow-tai'ed warbler eats
seeds or worms" He pulled his still da1ed sister
after him and they departed across the fields.
Diana folded up the note and sat silent. -
eyes on the picture In her lap.
her.