Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-03-07

which was the test OF Seth'E enthusl.
asm. Her mother had gone to see about
the oven heat, but returned suddenly
and stood before her hinging her fat
hands, palms outward, despairingly.
"Oh, Lord, the Chambliss carriage,
with Mrs. Chambliss and Miss Amy in
side, and it stoppin right smack bang
in front Of the steps!"
By this time she had intrenched her
self behind the pantry shutter, through
whose liberal chinks she was taking
historical observations Of the outel
world.
Liza was posing the balances deli
cately on mi slim white finger. In one
scoop wa some powdered ginger, il
the other some fiat bits Of metal. He,
nerves stood the shock Of this unprece
denied happening admirably. The beam
remained motionless.
II think I would not pry on them,
mother. I suppose they r calling or
the blacksmith. A horse has cast a shoe
perhaps or a bolt has sprung. Some.
thing is always happening to the Cham.
bliss turnouts."
eyes, but, oh. my goodness gracions,
Liza, I've got eyes! It's here they'r IA
maxim for. They're comm up the steps
as straight as IN arrer. And, o Lord,
every blanket and spread and flannin
petticoat I own in the world strewed
all over the front gallery sunnin, and the
ole mans red lannin drawers lappir
like mad. Saturday Of all days! How
could I guess they was comin?"
Rebecca's mild voice had by this time
reached apitch Of querulous excitement.
Liza regarded her coldly.
II don't think it makes a particle Of
difference, mother, about one knowing.
I suppose they want to sit down here
while the carriage is at the shop. Some
one must receive them decently. lcan't
Seth's Sunday cake is in jeopardy"
"But there amt any place for ZEN
to set down. The ole man always leaveI
my room lookin like a sight when hi
dresses up, and that ~everlastin poke
jimmy is down on her knees this blessed
minute in a river Of suds in the dini1
ROOM"
my room then. They are at the
door. mother. There's no place else"
Mrs. Martin hurried out of the pan.
try red and nervous. What on earth
did the Dell place people want?
Liza flung the scales from her with Q
gesture Of despair. The weights ha6
lost all significance. No doubt by thit
time these two fine ladies, his mothe,
and his sister, were in full possession Of
her room-the poor little nest where
artistic makeshifts and homespun
adornments the perpetual marvel
and delight of the entire family. She
laughed aloud. Seth could never be in.
duced to enter it, eyen for the placing
Of a hook or the hanging Of a shelf,
without removing his heavy shoes,
which he considered q proclamation Of
holy ground.
Doubtless Mrs. and Miss Chamblist
would find abundant opportunity FOL
adverse criticism. Why could they no,
have ridden OH up to the mansion and
sent the carriage back to the shop? The
whole proceeding was ill bred and inso
lent. Into this bitter reverie Mrs. Mar
tins shrill voice pierced suddenly.
Daughter, it amt the blacksmith
nor me neither that they want. It j.
you. They We come to call. I thought
in your own house, you wouldn't wal
to be asked for, SO | JUS kept a runnir
on, talkin most Of the time about you,
and shown them all the things yor
done yourself-them little cute picture,
and boxes and things. Miss Amy say.
you must be awfully clever, and she
only wishes she could do one-half the
things you can. I laughed out Of gen.
uine pride in you, sissy, and ] told hel
you was some punkins."
"Oh, motherI"
well, you are. And, oh, good gra'
cious, If you only could get to your ar
mo- and slip inter that little pink wrap
per. It JUS makes you look like a doll.
But you can't, with Mrs. Chamblis'
settin smack bang ag'inst the armo
do, and them dressed so nice"
Don't worry about that, mother.
am not competing with Mrs ChamblisI
and her daughter. l suppose they have
come to say something stupid about thai
accident.
II reckon. Daughter
Liza had got as far as the door. Sht
turned at the pleading sound.
Don't get up OH your stills, honey.
Amy Chambliss is a good, sweet, s.nsi
BILE girl, il she is the only daughter o.
ole 81 Chambliss, and him worth a mint
Of money. II she wants to be your friend
your real, lovin girl friend, like Ga.
br'ella Strong would a-been all her life
il the dear Master hadn't taken her
to hisself-don't turn q cold shoulder to
her, my dear. You need somethin that
me and the boys and Eben can't supply.
I've found that much out, and It sortez
grieves me, darlin."
Liza came back and pressed . soft
kiss on her mothers weather beaten
forehead.
1T 10 nothing that Miss .Chamblisa
can supply either, mother"
II amt 90 shore. There's no KNOWN.
Now SO, my sweetie. They'll get plumb
tuckered out waitin.
She stood In the pantry door, watch.