The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-31
The Learned
Miss Fleming
AGNES G. BROGAN


Billy Atkins, 81 don't understand, in
terviewing the authoress In her lair
and all that. Here's this Fleming per-
son-spells her name Helene-writer Of
treatises on domestic science and d.
rector of something In schools. Now,
what questions can | ask her? Why
don't they send man like Brothers.
been there" answered Brothers la
conically. ''Sent me because 1 wear
glasses. But 1t would be easier to find
audience with the kaiser than to be
admitted to the presence of the learned
Helene. Saw her, though, from a dis
lance. She was sitting IN an upper
veranda, evidently correcting proof
That's the nearest got"
Severe looking?' anxiously queried
Billy.
mo name for it," answered Brothers.
"Forbidding's the word. Thought if
/ could see the niece I'd get in. The
two Miss Flemings are rusticating out
there together, but Miss Niece was
probably avoiding the willy reporter"
SILLY fuss to make over some new
tangled style of learning, anyway"
grumbled Billy, tanning his hat on his
head. well, here's to my success and
promotion. The stubborn authoress
shall be hunted down."
Look out she doesn't mistake your
attentions for intentions" called Broth
ers as parting shot. "They say she's
looking. for soul mate. Can write
pretty romantic stuff. too, for lady
well along"
Billy found the old Fleming mansion,
set well. back among its trees from the
roadside. 1t had not always been a
Fleming mansion. In fact, the name
was newly adopted, the famous au-
thoress having sprung from unknown
ness into sudden prominence. There
was an evidence of deep study in her
briefest articles, Of wonderful, practi-
cal discoveries which set the general
student mind to thinking. Miss Helene
Fleming was a woman of uncommon
ability. So Billy Atkins went In un-
usual trepidation-for that self conf
dent young man-up the flower border
ed path to the door. The entrance was
imposing. Billy rang, with no response
to his ring. Billy tried the side door,
bowling with assumed assuredness to
the servant who opened It.
Miss Fleming, the writer" Could
he see her for just a moment? No; he
would not send UP his card. but the
visit was important.
Miss Fleming was too busily engaged
to see callers.
"But this" begged Billy. lis very
urgent"
Miss Fleming will see no one"
For moment Billy camped hope
fully upon the doorstep, but the door
was firmly closed. Half angrily he
made his way around to a rear door.
A staring maid confronted him.
"vas it Miss Fleming you wish to
see or de nieceT
"Oh, either one," he answered hasti-
ly. 1t had occurred to him that the
niece might be persuaded to act as en-
voy to the very difficult aunt. And
Billy prided himself upon his persua-
sive powers with young women.
"In de garten dere," directed tthe
maid. "She's out dere somewheres by
de wall"
So Billy started, whistling, to encir-
Gle the rear garden wall. High upon
one post at last he discovered a huge
yellow cat, and high upon the CORE
spending one perched very pert look
ing young woman. Perhaps his first
impression IF pertness was caused by
the girls swinging heels, which clicked
against the garden wall I'm tune to her
humming voice. and to a certain rak-
ish angle, maybe, Of her bright red hat.
"How do you do?" said Billy easily.
After brief scrutiny the girl stared
over his head. Billy laughed.
ALLOW me-" he explained, Ito both
apologize and introduce myself. came
primarily to see Miss Fleming, but
he paused eloquently-"Miss Fleming
is not to be seen. Therefore, the mat
ter being urgent, take 1t upon myself
to seek out and enlist the assistance
Of her young niece. Please"-Billy held
out an ingratiating hand-"be a good
girl and come down and help me out"
The good girl" regarded him con-
temptuously, then turned and DELHI
erately addressed the yellow cat.
Peter" she said, "how old do you
suppose this callow youth takes us to
beT Peter continuing the toilet Of
his paws, the youth referred to an
swered In self defense.
"From the length Of your dress and
the look In your eyes should take you
to be about sixteen"
Dresses are worn very short this
year." she returned.
Full grown young women In my ex-
perience," Billy told her, "are not
found perched upon gateposts with
cats for companions"
1.-THE companionship Of a yellow cat"
the girl answered vindictively, "is a
relief after the persecution of LOT of
brainless reporters"
"Phewv' Billy whistled. I'm one
Of those" The girl swung her heels.
81 knew you were," she said quietly.
UNLIMITED. Billy seated himself upon
a bench facing the little figure on the
wall. His face fell gloomily. IF you
knew what this assignment meant to
me-" he said, signing. "How I've