Middletown transcript., 1896-06-06

invitingly alluring to the humming
bird as he dived deep down into them
the bumblebees too tumbled in, il
search of hidden sweets, and vafiou
colored butterflies Sc tied on The stem
all instant, floating off again, eve
seeking, never gaining, and around al
and in all a delicious silence; the lux
-ury of absolute quietness-a seclusiol
so entire that thought of any pos
sible claim to anything or body seemed
far away. The river shining beyont
the broad meadows rippled its way
along at the foot of the rocks and hills
part of the picture of which Mari rit
never tired as she sat in low rocker
on the back porch. Miss Nancy
wouldn't Tor moment call it piazza
she was too plain and old-faslioned to
''put on airs" aid everything about
her was given it's proper title. Be il
known this back porch was I'll impor.
iant item in the h sus.y buay Life OF
Mai 1rie Hathaway,s i,ustrss, Miss
Nancy BrintoD. She vas wont to say
she couldn't keep l:nuse Without il. To
Marjorie, who the rest of the year
looked out at brick walls and dusty
streets, its delicious, cool shadiness
overlooking the sweet old garden, as
she sa. there idly watching flock OF
birds drifting acros the soft silvery
cloud-fieeked sky, her book unheeded,
the delicate face falling into lines of
peace and calm, it was haven of rest !,
The long shadows thrown by the tall
poplar guarding the gate leading into
the quiet village streets, the birds, the
sunshine, the bees and butterflies, the
gentle breeze as it rustled the poplar
leaves-a whispering sociable of rustic,
telling each other who knows how
many secretsl-were not a new ex-
perience to her, bu an oft repeated
pleasure which she enjoyed as keenly
as though she were not accustomed to
enjoying it all for three months of
every year during the past six years.
Six lonely years, for Marjorie is absolu-
tely alone in the world and has few
friends. A great many acquaintances, !,
pleasant kind people, but she doesn't
make friends readily nor lightly, 50 her
friends are few, leal and true as Mar
jorie herself. Miss Nancy is one of
these. A strong attachment ha4
grown up between these two so widely
different in every respect; the plain ell
derly country woman with more than
ordinary intelligence and the dainty CITY,
bred girl who hailed with delight the
first glimpses of spring verdure as a
harbinger of the sunny summer days
soon to be spent at Cloverdale. Her
musings, if her luxurious idling could
be termed SO much, were interrupted
by Miss Nancy who came In flushed
and warm from pick ing peas for din
ner. and dropping down into chair
beside Majorie. threw her bi sunbon-
net on the floor exclaiming:
''My but it is hot out there in the
sunp'
"Let me shell them for you, won't
your can do it nicely" as she insiLu.
atingly took the basket in her own
hands.
VERY well, if you really like to and
/ can do the beans.n
The small white hands moved nim-
bic at their task as they burst the round
green pods, scattering the contents and
piling up the foundation of delicious
dish, Miss Nancy's fingers keeping the
Others company as they strung and
snapped the beans. And while they
worked they talked about the crops in
Miss Nancy's garden, the chickens, the
sick child, and all the
things large and small around which
Miss Nancy fevolyed and carried
Marjorie, in sympathy with her. Then
they sat quiet for awhile, so quiet that
a catbird perched himself on a sway
ing stem and finding it such a nice
quiet place, forthwith chan,ed his
morning anthem; his throat swelling
as if with joy that he was living in
such a beautiful world.
Presently Miss Nancy's pan was
pumped down upon the f,or with
such a chatter as to s.aitle Marjorie and
the bird too-the latter spreading his
wings and away before the Indignant
protest of Miss Nancy enlightened
Msfjorie.
"Well 1 If Betty hasn't got that
string off her leg again, and here she
is with every chick she's got. I'll at
tend to you, Madam. :"
Marjorie laughed softly and when
her hostess returned flushed but with
triumphant swing of her b,nnet she
asked, did you catch her, and do
you always talk to them so?''
"Oh yes, caught her and when that
string comes off again III take it off.
She won't pick it of. Talk to them?
Yes, do. Silly, isn't It? You see
Pm alone good dealand although I'm
not lonesome kind. sometimes feel
It would be right nice 10 have some-
body to speak TO without going to the
TO do H.. 81 1 talk Il, tlIr
chickens and ths f,sers even. They're
company for me and really d,,.'t b,
Iieve I could live withsu ihsni-I|
anyway.
Marjorie Locked At her with such an
ssger expression that Miss N sncy
asked, tWhaf IS Il. child2p