Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-10-13
CHAPTER XXI.


Della makes her first entry into the
cottages which have been allotted to her
care with some degree of eclat 1t is not
everybody who can get on with the poor.
II requires more than a desire to do them
good 10 be able to effect it. Della pos
sesses the essentials of Il very sweet voice
and affable manner that makes her APP
pear even more interested than she is
when discussing matters that do not con-
Germ herself. She will not carry tracts
nor Bibles FOR any of the formula OF par
ish visiting in her hand. But she takes
one Or two illustrated papers from Mrs.
HephzibaIrs drawer, and Il few roses out
OF the cottage garden. She will not enter
the house without knocking, but stands
on the threshold until she has received
permission to enter.
The old people and the children stare
nj her at first with the uncouth breeding
of the lower orders, but although she is
so unused to their society, she makes
them feel at home with her at once. Her
secret is 4 simple one She treats them
as though they belonged TO her own rank
of life. and takes no liberty with them
that she would be ashamed to do with
ladies and gentlemen.
SO that even on that first day she re-
ceives many 2 cordial invitation to return
soon, and has engaged herself 10 read the
news. once 4 week, to such of her friends
as may be active enough to assemble in
one place to listen to it.
Mr. lie McSurier laughs loudly when
she reports her early efforts to establish
a club in CIovcrtield. and how it has set
her thinking that if he can procure her II
vacant room for the purpose, she might
add to the pleasure by giving the old peO-
pie tea CT coffee. and permitting them to
smoke while she reads to them.
I've shall have you setting up a free
and-easy' next, Mrs. Manners, and pre-
siding at the piano ana the bar yourself.
What Il dreadful mistake | have made by
setting you. with all these loose CONT
mental notions in your head, to run riot
among my innocent parishioners! Have
You been able 20 make anything out of old
Str0thCr:
Not yet He would not even look at
me. far less sneak. But hope that may
not last. Is he as surly with you?'
Far worse! lie has taken hatred,
or fear, of mc--I cannot tell why-which
time. l in afraid he is not very amia-
Bic old person. | wish he had never come
here"
He is not native of CIoverfield,
then?"
ooh. no. He IS a Scotchman, the father
Of AIRS. kennett, who died many years
ago. His daughter undertook the charge
Of him when he became a Widower. |
consider the old man to be quite mad,
and advised Kenneth to place him in the
county asylum; but it seems that he prom
iSed his wife upon her death-bed not to
do So SO he will be saddIed with his sup
port as long as he lives, which must be
very inconvenient, as he requires constant
watching.
His granddaughter, Patsy Kennett
complained bitterly to me the other day
of the confinement it entaled on her.
Poor Patsy. Yes; she is a fine girl, y
replies Mr.. lie Mesurier. with slight in
crease of color.
''Shc appears devoted to you
at is MI fancy, assure you. She suf-
fcrcd terribly from neuralgia Il short time
since and | was foolish enough to try if
ucSmerism would relieve her. The at
tempt was successful, but the natives do
not understand the meaning nor the effect
of such Il cure. and | had great reason to
regret having used it,
I'm what Way
at attracted my patient too much to-
ward me. and my motives and actions
were altogether misintcrpretcd. That is
one reason that | seldom cross Kenneth
threshold now unless | am obliged to dc
So
''You are practiced mesmcrist. then?'
YES. yes. But pray don't speak of it.
The subject is M unpleasant one to me-
and | would rather not discuss it. Shall
you see old Strother to-day"
Il think l shall not find my way up to
Kcnuctt's farm until Monday"
Monday will hc the day of the school
feast; when | had hoped to have had youl
assistance in the field
"If YOU will excuse me | would rather
not be present. Mrs. Bond intends 10 be
there. | know, with a sackful of toys and
sugar plumS: but l cannot play at chill
drcn's games. and shall be more uSefuily
employed elsewhere"
In the matter of the school feast. she is
determined not to be associated with him
because the affair itself is so thoroughly
out of her line that her friends will of
necessity think she has taken part in ii
with the simple intention of pleasing him.
So she remains firm in her refusal: and
on Monday afternoon, when the tent is
pitched. and the flags are flying. and the
village band is making most discordant
music in the Wears field, and the school
children. with their tin mugs hung round
their necks. are marching two-and-two up
The laurelcd drive. Della is half mile
away, toiling along the lane that leads IL
Mr.. Nennett'S farm.
As she enters the long narrow garden
that fronts the house. she becomes aware
af loud voices engaged in alteration and
making themselves very audible through
the open window.
''Now. then. Patsy eXclaims Farmer
kennett. eff with all that fal-lal finery
ana sit down to your work agen. as l tell
ye Why. where wad We be runnin' to al