Catoctin clarion., 1890-08-14
AN INVALID B0ARDER.


Just think how unpleasant it would be
to have an uncongenlal person here
He might be very pleasant
"A strange invalid pleasant! ! con-
tcmptuously.
we must either take somebody INTO
the family or dismiss Mary.
Better even that than boarder.-
What would the Bla,rs say:
Think how your hahds would look.
But hurry, | cant wait longer
There was frown on Addie Mcrrills
soft forehead and Il tapping Of her dain'
tily sl,pperetl foot as she wrote the note.
Just as she signed it, Mrs. Merrill has
tened out for her forgotten purse.
Il don't believe we are as bad off as
mamma pretends, regarding the tip of
her pen.
Then the gricvous expression lett her
face and mischievous mutiny rciSncd
supreme.
Dipping the pen, she wrote, without
moments hesitation:
P. S.-1f you come I'll make it SO
unpleasant that you can not remain.
Mrs. Merrill now entered, and with a
triumphant little sigh and not one re-
morseful tw,nge Addie calmly folded
the thick creamy sheet and placed 1t in
the envelope.
The following morning Mrs. Merrill
hustled about, fearing the advertiser
might call early.
i don't think hell come said Ad-
die. This is such an out Of the way
place.
He said he wanted quiet. Please
hurry and pick flowers enough for at
least two bouquets.
Addie, having cut the blossoms, ar
tistically arranged them III delicate Jars
and placing one on the piano, asked:
Where shall put this one?
up in the spare chamber, said Mrs
Merrill, who was carryinga downy sofa
pillow thither.
I'm glad added the postscript,
thought Addie, glancing around the
cozy, homelike apartment; for if he
saw the room he d be certain to want it,
A hateful invalid here, indeed!
The bell distinctly tlnkled in the far
of'kitchen.
"A gentleman to see Mrs. Merrill
And that plump and comely matron
smoothed her wavy gray hair, and
made her way to the parlor.
Addie went TO her room, and began
reading. In few minutes-it diHn t
seem over five her mother came in,
saying:
He is coming.
'Coming' echoed Addie. Who?
why Mr.. Bcvin, cur boarder, Of
course.
The one that advertised? :? asked Adj
die, aghast.
Certainly. lie will arrive for din
ncr ut six
And arrive he did.
Addie dreaded the meeting. She
had not counted it a possibility.
1t was with roster checks than usual,
and II most tasteful toilet, that she went
down little esrlcr for dinner.
At least, he should not think her a
fright as we'll as II vixen.
Finally surveying the pretty figure
reflected IN her white draped mirror,
she found herself wishing that the new
boarder was young and companionable
for, of course, he was a crusty old fel-
low, in all probability 80 dsag:ecable
that his relatives couldn't tolerate hlm.
Dimly recollecting an invalid uncles
great animosty towards pianos and pi-
aHo playing young women. Addle went
to the parlor, and, establishing herself
on the piano stool, began playing, hay
ing selected Tam O'Shanter,' Storm at
Sea- besides long arrangement de-
scriptiye Of certain fierce battle.
These pieces are not in themselves
particularly Objectionable, but when
executed by strong little pair of hands,
with q determination to make them as
terrible as possible, and not moments
pause between them, they assume un-
dreamed of horrors.
@'Addie ! came in her mothers voice,
as she was about to pause from sheer
exhaustion, and was finishing with II
blood .euraling chord.
.Addie turned round, and there, stand
ing Just inside the portiers, was a man
"a young and handsome one at that.
Who.could he ho }?
Certainly not their invalid boarder.
dds eyes twink!ed merrily as Mrs.
Merrill entered and introduced Mr..