The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-11-02
/ Regiina's Den |
By lane OSBORN |
1911, by Associated Literary
press.) .

coy living room Icr one OF tnelf
long, cheerful evenings together.
There were four of them-R Richard,
Tom, Maud and Regina. Richard, the
head of the family, looked scarcely
more than a boy himself, but there
was his pretty wife, Maud, sitting at
his side darning very small white
socks. At the othor end of the table
sprawled Richart's young brother
| Tom, with look of uncomfortable
determination, over a book whose
contents he was not absorbing with
any too great ease. Regina, Richards
| sister, who taught school and longed
to be literary had withdrawn to a
far end of the room where by he
| light of two shaded candles she was
trying to write.
Tom grated his teeth. For just
moment he was perilously near say
ing something that gentle little Maud
didn't allow on these pleasant family
evenings Instead he slammed his
book together and came out with a
loud, Rats" that made Regina pause
forcibly in her writing and sent her
muse flying st jus, makes my
blood boil" Tom went on, ito be
stuck with a subject like Latin. The
dean says | can't get my degree if
don't pass the examination this
time"
Say, Sis, he said presently, ap-
pealing to Regina. have you seen
that tutor of mine? He's a corker-
captain of the crew when he was in
college, played first base on the team.
He's the best set up fellow l ever saw
anywhere
Il don't see that that has anything
to do with his being a good Latin
tutol" said Regina. mo, l haven't
seen him. Does he come to the
house,"
Yes, every afternoon. He'll be
coming for the next two weeks, till
that beastly old exam comes off.
He'll get me through if anyone
could"
Regina went back to her writing.
Presently Maud looked over at her.
Regina" she said sweetly, have
you seen Baby's new tooth today?
It's just as white and nice-I meant
to show it to you"
Reginas patience had been tried
to the limit.
We'll, of all the places to try to
write!" she exclaimed. Il thought
you all knew I didn't want to be
talked to- Now this settles it, I'll
just have to have den. I've been
thinking of it long time and now
I'm settled. I'll rig up place in the
attic where l can be quiet. It's
perfect shame the way we all herd
together-just stick down here as If
We didn't have an original idea in
our heads"
why, Regina" said Maud tear
fully q thought you liked being with
us. We've always been so fond of
each other till now" Here there was
little sob. ooh, to think I have
driven you to the attic!"
Don't be silly" said Regina. 81
can't poke off in my bedroom, SO I'm
just going to rig up a place in the
attic. Why, I almost think l can
write something worth while if l can
get off by myself"
In spite of fearful protests on the
part of Maud and jests on the part
of her two brothers Regina was in
stalled in her sanctum in the attic.
Here, with desk and a lounge, a
bookcase filled with her favorite
books and the walls covered with her
iavorite prints and photographs Re.
gina had a place that was to be all
her own.
One evening after Regina had re-
tired to this sanctum with freshly
filed fountain pen and her brain full
of ideas, her voice was heard in the
upstairs hall calling her brother Tom,
in none too gentle accents.
Tom left his books in the living
room below and went two steps at
time to see what his sister wanted
He followed her into the attic and
there by the light of the shaded desk
summons. Regina pointed to a group
of cigarette ends. and box of over
turned matches that lay on the blot
ter at the end of her desk
Tom, in spite of his six feet of
dauntless manhood, crumpled before
his sister.
I'm awfully sorry, sister" he said,
"but to tell you the truth Harry Ii
tus, that tutor of mine, and l have no
other place to go. You know what
it is down in the living room with
Maud and the baby coming in and
out. 1t was just my luck to forget to
clear up the cigarettes after him,
though"
I've suspected 1t for week." said
Regina 3tcrnly II find matches in
the rose jar and ashes in the pen
tray, and look" she said, drawing
forth a bundle Of her manuscript
covered with Latin words written in
a masculine hand IF that Mr.. Titus
did that please see that he doesn't
repeat the offense. Didn't he know
that this was my den?"
Tom promised faithfully never
again to invade the sanctity of his
sisters den and returned to his books.
But the next day when the athletic
tutor refused to give his lesson in
the hubbub of Maud's little living
room Tom was forced to break his
promise. AS Regina didn't get home
from school till four and the lesson
was over at half-past three Tom felt
that he would have no trouble In
covering his guilt. Accordingly the