The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-16
81 E. MARRIELEEs
HOODWINKED BY .. B. Lippincott COZ

They talked It over in Eleanor's
room the night before. Nancy Wrigg
had come in from her bedroom across
the hall. filed with the missionary
spirit, and. as usual when the spirit
was upon her. she did not choose her
words. ~
ut wouldn't matter If you had a
scrap Of talent" she adjured the re-
cumbent Eleanor. 1T wouldn't be so
bad II you worked even. But, hon.
estly. can you say you've made one
Improvement this year? They
oughtn't to let you keep on at the
studio. and II 1t were the league they
wouldn't"
Think of my homeless situation II
they turned me out" Miss Burke de-
tended herself. Besides, I'm their
pet. invented the sneeze, and It
turned the life class green with envy.
See here. Mamie. did l ever show you
,cout the sneeze?"
You might go in for vaudeville"
Miss .Wrigg commented. Il should
think you'd worry little over wasting
your time and money. I know wor.
ried, and really worked every min.
ute was In an art school,"
Il may as we'll get up" mourned
her victim. But be accurate. honey,
even when you abuse me. It's jim
my's money. l never had any"
Miss Wrigg got up. too. The toe Of
her walking boot tattooed impatiently
against the wooden rocker of her
chair.
Il know I'm cross" she apologized.
I've been working. But, Eleanor,
how can you stand having your broth.
er pay your way year after year? You
say he has only his salary. Suppose
he should get tired? There isn't q
thing you could do"
Miss Burke raised scandalized eyes
to the ceiling. Jimmy get tired of
supporting his sister! It's his chief
Joy. Besides. it's good for him." She
sat down before the mirror and began
pulling the pins from her hair. 81
take great credit to myself for Jim.
N.Y." she observed sweetly. "He
hasn't been able to acquire a single
bad habit. I've been a splendid ex.
pense to him ever since he began
earning money"
"You probably have" Miss Wrigs
agreed. We'll. I've noticed when q
person plays lily of the field for one
time. Providence evens up the score
at some other. What If Jimmy we're
to lose his position or have something
happen to him."
Jimmy couldn't lose his position
any more than he could ever find an.
other If he did. He started in az
Office boy. and he's grown into a piece
of the business. And as for anything
happening to. him"-Miss Burke
looked over her shoulder: Nancy's
practical disapproval was always a
provocation-'if anything did, he's
certainly made me out his life in.
surance." she ended. drawing a lit.
tie.
you're detestable!" Miss wrisg
flung back at her. Sometimes
don't see why l like you at ALL" she
added from the threshold.
Sometimes I don't fathom 1t my.
SELF" Miss Burke admitted. She got
up laughing when the door closed.
There was a picture of her brother
on the mantel. She took 1t down and
held It at arms length in front Of her.
"Your sisters bad lot, Jeems," she
apostrophized the card. ASK Mamie
Wrigg II she isn't. Now. suppose
she'll be wroth with mo for az much
as an hour"
She returned the photograph to It'll
place and went on with her dressing.
When she was quite finished she
tapped at the opposite door.
THE butterfly is going out" she
announced. "The bird of pleasure
flutters on the wing. Do you approve
Of me enough to see If I'm hooked up
behind? It might be a comfort to. my
brother to know I didn't come to
pieces on the streets of Philadelphia. /"
you're horrid." Miss Wrigg relent.
ed. "You pretend not to care about
anything. l believe ITS pose."
"Poise. not pose. You've left out a
letter." the other corrected her.
Goodnight" She swept down the
stairs. watching her light skirts nun
behind her.
It was late when she returned, and
1t was very late before she woke next
morning. She was dimly conscious
that some one had been tapping at
her door for what seemed an inter.
minable period: - she opened her
eyes, she saw the door slide a1ar and
Nancy Wrigg's head come through
the opening. She turned over at that
and pulled the watch from under her
pillow.
Hello, Mamie! .Cruelties' shut
DOWN." she called In greeting.
II got of for q WHILE" Miss Wrigs
answered. She shut the door and
came across to the bed. Her prac.
teal, afectionate voice shook little
a. she spoke. II don't suppose Il
amounts to anything. but thought
I'd come and tell you. It seems
they've had-some kind Of an earth.
quake In San Francisco"