Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
stat .
a
d, anl |
12 Out =
a in,
whit:
GUY KENMORE’S WIFE. eg.
these black-coated dandies, I dare say;” then he added, in a
ver tone: ‘* Did Elaine forbid your going, too?”
‘““No, she didn’t say one word for, or against it. She only
pursed up her lips and looked out of the window. I never saw
puch a coward as Elaine,” pursued the girl, angrily, ‘‘ Bertha
and mamma have everything their own way, and ride rough-
shod over Elaine, and she daren’t say her soul's her own!”
‘‘Tfush, Irene—you musn’t talk so disrespectfully of your—
sister,” her father said, reprovingly.
‘Well, but, papa, do you think it is right for Ellie to be ruled
80 by Bertha? She’s older than Bert, you know,” said the girl,
laying her soft, round cheek against his, coaxingly.
A. strange, sad look came into Mr. Brooke’s face at her
words.
“‘My dear, we won’t discuss it,” he said. uneasily. ‘‘ Elaine is
50 gentle and quiet, she will not take her own part, perhaps.
But about this ball, my pet. T’m sorry they wouldn't let you
go. I brought you some pretty fal-lals to wear.”
Ge handed her several parcels as he spoke, and turned up the
lamps to a brighter blaze. Irene Brooke began unwrapping the
parcels, with little feminine shrieks of delight.
‘* A baby-blue sash; oh, oh, you dear, old darling!’ she cried,
letting the rich lengths of wide, blue satin ribbon ripple splen-
didly over her white dress. ‘‘A fan! Ivory sticks, and blueand
white feathers! Oh, thank you a hundred times, papa! And
what is this tiny parcel? Oh, a bang-net! You ridiculous old
papa, what do you think I-want of a bang-net?’ with aripple |
of girlish laughter. bs
‘The shop-woman recommended it. She said they were very
fashionable,” said Mr. Brooke, vaguely.
“T don’t care! Pll never put my yellow curls: under a bang-
net,” laughed Irene, whose tears were dried now as if they had
never been. ‘Ellie may have it. And, oh, this little box! I
had almost missed it.” -
She opened it with a little girlish shriek of joy and amaze,
‘“* A gold chain and locket! Oh, papa, let me kiss you a hun-
dred times!” she cried, running to him and half smothering him
with energetic caresses.
‘‘ Your birthday present, my love. Look in the locket and see
if you like the pictures,” said Mr. Brooke as soon as he could get
his breath.
She left off choking him a moment to obey.
“Your picture and Elaine’s—the very ones I would have wished
for! And how true, how. perfect, how beautiful!” she cried,
kissing the pictured faces. ‘* Dear papa, how did you know that
I would far rather have your picture and Jllie’s than mamma’s
and Bert’s ?” she inquired, smiling fondly at him.
“T knew you liked us best because we spoil you the most,” he
replied. :
‘That is true of you, papa, but not to my elder sister,” replied
Irene, with a touch of seriousness softening for the moment. her
childish face. ‘‘Ellie is very kind to me, but she never spoils
me. She reads me long lectures in private, andI believe she