Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-01-09
THE new NEICHBOR

new nelBnDOr!
In quite whirl OF excitement
Margery had dashed into the cosy room
where her three sisters were sitting.
She was shining with rain from the
hood OF her silver-gray gossamer to the
very tips of her rubbers. The fluffy
brown curls across her forehead were
sprinkled with bright drops and her
checks were glowing from her rapid
walk.
" You didP" interrogatively chorused
three eager voices
Il really did"
ssIs he handsome?n asked Janet, who
appreciated all beauty as intensely as
only plain-looking person can.
intellectual lookingg" inquired
Clotilde, who dipped daily into Emer-
son and protested to adore Ruskin.
''.JollyP" queried little BERTHE, who
was at the age when jolly people
seemed created for her especial amuse-
ment
"No-no-noy' laughed Margory.
"Not handsome, or learned looking, or
even jolly. He is simply the most
awkward looking mortal l ever be-
held!'
And she broke into peal of heart
lest laughter at recollection of her en-
counter with their new neighbour.
"You see it was this way, girls"
jerking off her gossamer and disclos-
ing o form attired in chocolate
cashmere--a form that was trim, slim
and willowy as that OF sweet seventeen
is apt to be. al was running home in
q great hurry-lor it's chillier out than
you folks imagine-and just as l came
opposite the gate OF The Oaks
stopped very suddenly, for right there
was the most tremendous black dog
ever saw. | said Go way!' and he
didn't bulge. | shook my umbrella ut
him. He wasn't bit afraid. l said,
If you don't get ont OF the way I'll hit
YOU and he actually grinned. There
was nothing to do but step out into the
street--it was so muddy, too-and
walk around him. But just them
suppose my dilemma was apparent
from the house-down the path he
came running. Oh, he looked so
ridiculous! He is about as tall as
Jacks bean-stalk, lean as a lath and
brown as an Indian"
'Welll' exclaimed Janet. HE must
be charmingr'
"Oh" cried Margery, going off into
a fresh paroxysm of laughter. ''What
with his glasses, and his coat-tails
flying straight out as he rushed to my
rescue, he looked like some great,
curious, comical Bird"
Birds don't wear glasses" correct
ed BERTHE. "Was his coat a swallow
tailP"
The appeal for information was
ignored.
"Well, he called of the dog, and
apologized for the monster. and-that's
all D."
81 wish he'd offer me the use of his
library" sighed Clotilde.
"They say The Oaks is a perfect
palace as far as the furnishing goes"
murmured Janet
81 think I'll ask him to loan me the
lovely little white pony" decided
BERTHE.
But this rash resolution was ruth
lessly crushed.
1.-The Oaks" had been shut up so
long-ever since the Kearneys had
come to live in the gray-green cottage
near by Its owner had gone abroad
on tho death OF his mother, three
years ago, leaving his handsome house
in the care OF II couple of servants.
But now that news of his return had
spread curiosity was rife in the
fashionable suburb of River View.
And not the least interested were
Olive Sterling's near neighbors.
A pleasant room this in which the
sisters sat; home-like room, even If
the carpet was threadbare, the chairs
venerable, the more home-like for
these suggestions of social service aud
experience.
Janet went on with her task OF re-
modelling I'm old dress. Clotilde went
over TO the window, and looked visit
fully through the drizzling rain to the
red brick chimneys which rose above
the house which held the coveted
books. Margery, obeylng a sudden
: impulse, had snatched up her ever
ready sketch-book from the table, and
was scratching vigorously away. An
ecstatic giggle from BERTHE, who was
peeping over her shoulder. called the
attention of the others to her work.
What is it?" said Janet
Margery looked up with nod and
smile.
"Wait moment"
On her brisk pencil few, the dim
pies In her pretty cheeks deepening as
her mischievous smile grew.
"Therem
She held up the open book The
others locked around to her.
"Oh, MargeryT"
''He can't look like thatr'
what a caricaturel"
Indeed, comical and grotesque was
the drawing OF tho long, lank figure,
with the spidery extremities, the fly
ing coat tails, the tremendous goggles.
+, "Oh, just trihe accentuated not
quite caricature," she said, laugh
ingly. as she scrawled under the pict-
ure the words, sour New Neighbor. +"
"The rain is clearing Off, cried
BERTHE. I'm going to run and ask
mamma il l mayn't go out"
And of she rushed.
Soon, with her kitten in her arms
and her little spaniel at her heels, she
was out on the wet road. The rain
had quite ceased. The afternoon sun,
weary OF sulking, was coming out in
splendid state In its radiance every