Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-04-08

any one.
Peg sat down beside her aunt and ex-
planned to her: Whenever did any
thing wiilfuI or diSturbin US Il child
me father always said it walls the orig
inal sim in me an that ! wasn't 10 he
punished for it because couldn't help
it.
Then he used to punish himsplf for
my fault An when l saw it hurt him
| usen't to do it again-for awhile ut
least. | think that was a grand way
to bring up a daughter. I've been Won
derin' since I've been here if an aunt
could bring a niece up the same way"
And she looked quizzically at Mrs.
Chichester.
Jarvis came in with a letter on a
salver
"Well?' asked the old lady.
"For Miss Chichester, madam And
he handed Ethel the letter. by hand.
MISS
Ethel took the letter quite uncon-
sciously and opened it.
"Who is it from?' asked Mrs. Chi
chester.
"Mr. Brent" replied Ethel indiffer-
emily.
"Brent?'' cried Alaric. What on
earth does be write to you for?"
He wants me to do something for,
him. And she tore the letter up into
the smallest pieces and placed them in
a receptacle on the desk.
Come. Alaric." And Mrs. Chiches-
ter left the room after admonishing
Peg that an hour would be sufficient to
sit up.
LET us be honest with each other.
Ethel,'' said Peg when the two girls
were left alone. Peg went right over
to her and looked at her compassion
ately
What do you mean?" said Ethel,
with a sudden contraction of her
breath
You like Mr. Brent, don't YEP
So the moment had come. The little
spy had been watching her. Well. she
would fight this common little Irish
uCUOuy
ger in her nature surged uppermost as
Ethel answered Peg. but she kept her
voice under control.
Certainly like Mr.. Brent. He is
very old friend of the family!"
Hes got a wife?"
HE has!'
AN a baby?'
"Yes-and a baby" Ethel was not
going to betray herself. She would
just wait to see what course this crea-
ture was going to take with her.
They were now seated together, Eth
ell holding her little white poodle, at
which Peg pointed contemporary.
Peg went on:
''Of course I've never seen the wife
or the baby because be never seems
to have them with him when he calls
here. But I've often heard Alaric ask
afther them"
."Well?" asked Ethel coldly.
"Is it usual for English husbands
with babies to kiss other women's
hands," And Peg looked swiftly at
her cousin.
Ethel checked an outburst and said
quite calmly:
1T is very old and very respect
ed custom
''The divil doubt it but it's old. Pm
not SO sure about the respect. Why
doesn't he kiss me aunt's hand as
well?"
Ethel could not control herself much
longer. 1t was becoming unbearable.
AS she crossed the room she said with
as little heat as possible:
"You don't understand"
"Well. but Pm thryin' to- persisted
Peg That's why l watch We all the
time
Ethel turned. She was now at bay
"YOu watch me?'
Aren't We me mOdel?'
'It's contemplate" cried Ethel.
Sure l only saw the old an re-
spected custom by accident-when
came in through there a month ago
an once since when | came in again
by accidental few days aftherward.
l couldn't help seem it both times.
An, as for bein' contemplate. Pm not
so sure the custom doesn't deserve all
the contempt"
Ethel was now thoroughly aroused
II suppose it is too much to expect
that a child Of the common people
should understand the customs of de
cent people,
"Mebbe it is replied Peg. But
don't see why the common people
should have all the decency an the
aristocracy none"
ut is impossible to talk to you.
was foolish to have stayed here. You
don't understand. You never could
understand
Peg interrupted: why, never saw
We excited before-not bit of color in
yer cheeks till now-except twice. Ye
look just as We did when Mr.. Brent
followed that old an respected Gus
tom on yer hand" cried Peg. The
young girls eyes were ablaze. How
wildly she remembered the eventful
Scnno that confronted hor whom Sha