Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-14
THE FATTED CALF.

Il
room Of her uncle's parsonage, with her eyei
fastened upon a small blue garment in her lap
There was a look of quiet but intense happi
ness in her face. This beatiic expression
could not have been caused by the skirt which
she was mending-even her aunt, who was moi
an observing woman, drew that conclusion-foI
the tear was large and irregular one.
Louise" she asked, whom is your letter
from?"
Louise colored and handed the note to her
aunt. 1T Is from young man met at Cousin
Susan's-Mr Matthews. He used to know you
he is going to the White mountains some time
soon. and would like to stay over q train to see
you and Uncle Henry"
Used to know me! 1 should think so! Ralph
| Matthews and suppose he is entirely grown
up now. How time does fy!"
| he Is pretty old; he is twenty-nine"
| "Of course he is; he is nine years younger
tnan l am. was seventeen when went 10
nve at his fathers house with mamma, and
| MS lather was thirty-seven. Who would have
supposed that sensible man like Hugh
Matthews would have fallen in love with a
| affair.""
Louise. who was eighteen. wondered if dis.
position to fall in love with mere children ran
In the family; then, being young woman OF
practical good sense she took herself to task
SHARPLY. How ridiculous am to expect any
thing! she thought. Cousin Susan said he
| didn't" N
when Is the young man coming?" inquired
her aunt. Some time this week or next" she
auded, as she glanced at the note again. "How
INDEFINITE! SO thoughtless Men are all the same,
they never consider washing DAYS and ironing
! Gays, or think that their coming need make any
difference; whereas it makes the greatest differ
ence: We must kill the fatted calf for him,
not that he Is prodigal. but it is SO long since
have seen the dear boy-twenty years-and
he Is used to having everything in such stvle.
Surprising he should drop down upon us when
We have stew for dinner, do hope the chill
dren will behave well. If We only knew when
ne was coming! My dear, we must have fresh
roast or chlckens every day, and then when
ever he appears we shall be prepared for him.
afterward."
They had company dinner all that week and
the next. The children thought this delight
full plan. They hoped Mr.. Matthews would
forever" " 'No ''--'
When Two weeks had passed without bring
ing Mr. Matthews both aunt and niece gave
nun nun up reluctantly and went back to their
FORMER manner OF living. There was more to
DC uone THAN usual, for they had put off giving
the parlor thorough sweeping for two weeks
midst of it. WIZ
On Friday, therefore, the usual day for
sweeping, they moved everything out of the
pa ai ioI ih'o the entry. 1t was warm day.
Inc air came In through the hall door entic-
ihgiy, bringing with it the odor of newly mown
nay. Inc nay makers were at work in the
meadow. Louise, wholly enveloped in blue
ana whlte checked apron and with a sweeping
cap on her pretty brown hair, was patiently
oustihg all the irregular corners of a carved
oak chair. Whenever sweeping day came she
wished the family did not have SO much old
Iasnloned furniture. Nora the maid of all
WORK, was beating the rugs vicously, as if she
liao some peculiar spite against them. The
rugs were out on the grass in front of the
house. There was only strip of some 20 feet
OF ieVel lawn between the house and the street.
30 that every one who passed could see all that
was going on: but it did not matter. for thew
would nave known what was going on, at any
ra'e; tuey Always did In East Bradtield. Louise
was sui al work ON the carved chair with her
back to the street, when she was startled by an
exclamation from Nora
What is it?" she asked
ITS the fatted calf, miss. as sure as me name
Is Nora OConnor, a-walkin' up the street, lust
as unconsarned as if it warn't Friday and a
salt hsh dinner a-cookin'r'
''Nora.'
Its the city chap, sure as I'm born. Turn
round and see for yourself, Miss Louise"
Louise looked. She meant to escape after
ward, but destiny was stronger tn an she Ralnb
Matthews was just turning in at the gate. and
met her confused glance. He had a pleasant
lace, with brown beard and humorous brown
eyes, which seemed to take in everything. His
manner was SO polite that it struck her as sar-
castle. His faultless attire forced her own de-
nclencles still more strongly upon her and
made her shy and constrained.
My aunt Is lying down." said she: Il will
tell her you are here. l cannot take YOU into
the parlor for obvious reasons. My uncle is
writing his sermon in the study, There ia the
but the children are painting there"
"Maynt stay and help dust the furniture?"
he inquired, seating himself TRANQUILITY on the
piano stool.
Louise" called her aunt, anxiously, at the
mead OF the stairs. Tommy has just had
Why, Mr.. Matthews! l know it must be MIR.
Matthews, for you look SO much like your poor
dear father. How do you do? Louise. take
him into the study directly. How could YOU
be so thoughtless as to let him stay here?" and
she descended the stairs full of apologies.
Mrs. Henderson took possession of her old
acquaintance willy-nilly and carried him off
to the study. Henry" she said ..here is a
dear old friend of nine-Ralph Matthews. 1t
was SO kind of him to come to this out-of- the
way spot to see me again"
Mr.. Henderson looked up from his sermon
with the daZed air of a man who is in the fuIl
swing OF inspiration. For a moment he how
cred helplessly between two worlds the next he
descended regretfully to this one. Il am glad
TO see you" he said, taking off his old-sipbted
glasses. He had charming manners as soon as
he had recovered himself; their gentleness was
dictinction in itself and assorted well with
his gray hair and fine blue eyes.
II am delighted to see you" young Matthews
said, cordially.
Mr.. Henderson gave one more regretful look
at his sermon the sheets Of which were spread
about in confusion on his table, together with a
pile Of unanswered letters. Books were there
too, both opened and unopened; in fact there
were books in every available nook in the room
The very windows seemed an impairment inter-
ruption. for both the space above and below
them was utilized by book shelves.
Il am interrupting you," Ralph Matthews
said. Miss Henderson will take good care of
me, know, until you are at leisure"
NO" said Mrs. Henderson; you must stav
here at present for Louise and are such busy
people. Mr.. Henderson will work all the better
afterward for little rest'
Louise" she said, when she rejoined her
niece, 'it is quarter past twelve. We shall have
to put dinner off until two O'Clock and sun-
press the salt fish; it is too countrified. You
will have to run down town and get some steak
or chops Chops Dreaded with tomato sauce.
will be the best. We haven't a can of tomatoes
in the house. If they can't send the things mn
directly you must bring them; and get a bottle
when was SO sure Mr.. Matthews would come"
Louise slowly Invested herself OF her apron
and sweeping cap and went to the closet for
her hat.
''Get head of lettuce, too" said her amt
sfxun hoe do /