The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-11-23
Regiillia''s Den De! |
By JANE oSBo 'R1l,.N j
Copyright 1911. by. Associated aaters7
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Copyright 1911. BY. Associated iatersF7
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: ) The :Blisses were. gathered III Iii their
coy living room 'foft one " .tfeit
long, cheerful 9 evenings together
There: were four Of them-Richard
Tom, Maud and Regina Richard, the
head of the family, looked scarcely
more than boy himself, but there
was his pretty wife, Maud, sitting al
his side darning very small white
socks. At the other end of the table
sprawled Richards 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 longeG
to be literary, had withdrawn to a
far end Of the room where by the
light of two shaded candles she was
trying to write.
Tom grated his teeth. For just a
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 q
loud, "Rats!" that made Regina pause
forcibly in her writing and sent her
muse flying. ut just makes my
blood boil" Tom went on, Ito be
stuck with subject like Latin. The
dean says l can't get my degree if
l 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 ever saw
anywhere"
Il don't see that that has anything
to do with his being good Latin
tutor" said Regina. "No, l haven't
seen him. Does he come to the
house?" (:
Eyes, every afternoon. He'll be
coming for the next two weeks, till
that beastiy old exam comes of.
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-1 meant
to show it to you"
Regina's patience had been tried
to the limit.
! "Well, Of all the places to try to
write!" she exclaimed. II thought
you all knew l didn't want to be
talked to. Now this settles it. I'll
just have to have a den. I've been
thinking of it long time and now
I'm settled. I'll rig up place in the
attic where can be quiet. It's a
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, Il thought you liked being with
us. We've always been so fond of
each other till now" Here there was
"a little sob. "Oh, to think I have
driven you to the attic!"
Don't be silly" said Regina. T
cant poke off in my bedroom, so I'm
Just going to rig up a place in the
attic. Why, almost think can
write something worth while II / can
get off by myself"
In spite of fearful protests on the
part of Maud and jests on tn, 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
favorite prints and photographs Re.
gina had place that was to be all
her own.
One evening after Regina had re-
tired to this sanctum with a freshly
filled 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
lamp he saw the reason for his hastv
summons. Regina pointed to group
OF cigarette ends, and a 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 ri.
tus. that tutor of mine, and / have no
other place to go. You know what
1t 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 it for a week." said
Regina sternly. Il find matches in
the rose jar and ashes in the nan