The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-02-16

on the y. i. NJ uH' O'SA OSe~"
.AThose brothers of yours are Just the
sort to ind 1t out, no matter how we
try to conceal 1t. We can stand 1t this
way for a while. Your father has
been telling me his troubles this morn
Ing. He's especially worried about
yOu-you wretch. He tells me you
worry him 10 he can hardly write, says
you ride the widest horse In the sta
BILE, go on In the woods unattended
and otherwise render him incapable
of the high degree Of concentration
that he needs to complete his book.
He asked me to watch you especially
and to suggest way to tame you.
I'd no idea you were such a wild crea'
ture-you wonderful, sweetest girl
there, l couldn't help 1t that time
but 1 won't steal another till I am no
longer playing this role. 1t would
spoil everything II anyone suspected
The next communication Madeleine
had from the new employee was writ
ten and slipped Into her hand as she
passed him one evening on the stairs.
1t was brief and dictatorial. I'm or
der to accomplish the. aim In view you
must become even more unruly. Do
everything you can except risk your
life. Fake runaway or two and get
lost in the mountains II you can do It
safely"
Though Madeleine did not exactly
understand Dicks motives in this In
struction she followed 1t to the letter.
and even the calm-eyed mother. who
took the shocks and anxieties incident
upon being the parent Of i've high
spirited daughters and two sons a.
serenely as anyone could, became over
wrought with worry when, for the sec
ond time In a week. Madeleine re-
turned home from q wild ride only at
ter the faithful blue-serged fathers
helper" had gone out In search Of her.
The next day the professor tried In
vain to write chapter Of his book.
for his publishers were beginning to
press him for the complete manu-
script. After wasting hours in the
bootless effort he called for the young
nun he had recently employed.
"Did you reprove Madeleine severe
~ for her escapade yesterday he
asked. "You know how 1t tries me to
have to attend to that sort Of thing
still, unless you are very severe shall
have to take her In hand"
II reproved her very severely, sir"
replied Dick. "but II you will pardon
me for saying SO. 1 think reproofs are
Of little avail"
"Somethlng must be done. man"
said the professor peevishly. II can't
let her go on this way wearing out my
nerves. Can you think Of any possible
remedy-some way Of calming the wild
creature down littlef Mind you. I
am very fond of Madeleine-very fond
Of her-but I can't let her 60 On In
this why"
III anticipated such question" said
Dick solemnly. "For that reason !
studied the girls nature. Again. par
don my frnnkness. think that.
young ms Madeleine Is, she would over
come her rnther hoydenIsh ways II you
permitted her toto become engaged
possibly to contemplate rather ear
ly marriage"
The professor studied the carpet for
several minutes, then without looking
At Dick, he said: ayes, that might
be Just the thing. But Madeleine Is
not like Minerva. Minerva has some
dozen Of sultors-they quite drive me
distracted. But Madeleine. poor child.
has no such charms and fascination
as Minerva. Frankly, do not think
there Is anyone who wants to marry
her, and am quite sure that she cares
for no one"
It was here that Dick hesitated. He
had not planned Just what to say when
he Ind led the professor up to this
point, go he. too. studied the carpet
for a full minute and then looked at
the professor with embarrassment that
he could not conceal.
"But II there were someone who did
care for her devotedly and for whom
she cnrcd in return-would you con-
sent thenT
The professor was too much Of a
psychologist not to guess that the
young man was speaking Of himself.
though perhaps In his present mood he
could not conceive how a seemingly
sane young man would choose to as
sumo the task Of being Mndeleine's
husband.
"Mr. stoner. my hand. Forgive me
when I tell you that from the time I
first saw you realized that there was
something in your nature TINT would
ind harmony In Madcleine's. Ny
knowledge Of psychology is not all
theoretical, you see. And. IL spite Of
what have just said. realized as you
have just done that what Madeleine
really needed was husband. So you
see my little scheme has worked. But
Madeleine Is very sweet girl. In spite
Of her hoyden ways, ano know you
will be happy"
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