We Ten Or, The Story of the Roses   By: Barbara Yechton (1864-1939)

Or

The Story of the Roses

by

BARBARA YECHTON

Author of "Ingleside," "A Matter of Honor," "Gentle Heart Stories," "Two Knights Errant," "Little Saint Hilary," "Christine's Inspiration"

With Illustrations by Minna Brown

[Illustration: "'OH, PAPA! PAPA ! SURELY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BURN THE FETICH !'"]

New York Dodd, Mead and Company 1896 Copyright, 1896, by Dodd, Mead and Co. All rights reserved.

University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.

TO MY DEAR ONES.

"Thou hast done well thy part, if Thou hast done thy best; As sure as I am God, I answer For the rest."

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. ROSES AND ROSES 1

II. IN THE STUDY 17

III. CONCERNING A PERFORMANCE 25

IV. AND A FETICH 43

V. A FRACAS AND AN ARRIVAL 53

VI. DISPOSING OF A FETICH 72

VII. NEW FRIENDS 92

VIII. A RESOLUTION 109

IX. MAX'S WARD 123

X. IN THE SCHOOLROOM 145

XI. AN AFTERNOON RECEPTION 165

XII. IN THE SHADOW 182

XIII. THROUGH THE SHADOW 200

XIV. A MISSION OF THREE 213

XV. SOME MINORS 230

XVI. AND A MAJOR 254

XVII. NORA'S SECRET 274

XVIII. EXPERIENCES AT ENDICOTT BEACH 283

XIX. HIS BROTHER'S KEEPER 322

XX. A SOLEMN PROMISE 346

XXI. THROUGH THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND 367

XXII. AUF WIEDERSEHEN 378

WE TEN, OR THE STORY OF THE ROSES.

I.

ROSES AND ROSES.

TOLD BY JACK.

When papa said positively that only Phil could go to college, we all felt so badly for Felix that we held a council in the schoolroom that very afternoon. At least, six of us did; the other four had been ruled out by Felix, who declared that "kids were not allowed in council." Paul and Mädel didn't mind so much, they're the twins, they're only seven years old; nor did Alan, he's the baby; but Kathie was awfully mad: you see, she's nearly ten, and she does love to hear all that's going on. When she gets crying, there's no stopping her, and I tell you she made things pretty lively round that schoolroom for a little while. How she did howl! We were so afraid she'd start Alan, and that the noise would reach papa's study; good bye then to our council. We got provoked with Kathie; it was so silly of her to stand there crying like a big baby, and keeping us back that way.

First Phil called out, "You just stop, this minute, Kathie!" and then, when she kept right on, he threw the old sofa pillow at her, and told her to go smother herself; Nora said, "Horrid child!" in her most disgusted tone, and Nannie and Betty coaxed and coaxed, trying to quiet her.

[Illustration: "THE SCHOOLROOM VIXEN."]

But nothing had any effect until Felix limped over to his easel. Felix is lame, dear old Fee! but my! isn't he clever! Greek and Latin are just as easy as as anything to him, and he writes stories and poems, though nobody knows this 'cept us children and Miss Marston, and we wouldn't tell for the world, and he paints the most beautiful pictures you ever saw. Well, as I was telling you, he limped over to his easel, and took up his brush. "Just keep that charming expression on your face a few minutes longer, Kathie," he said, "until I get it on canvas; and I'll paint your picture as the 'Schoolroom Vixen,' and send it to the Academy. That's right, open your mouth just a little wider what a wonderful cavern! hullo! why'd you stop crying? I'm not half through."