The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-14

the grass, Mrs. Spreadbrow let her
eyes wander dreamily across the bay
to the irregular sky line of the big
city, where she knew that Mr.. Spread
brow was busily engaged in convert
ing bales of cotton into crisp bank
notes.
All, thought she, happily, she had
much to be thankful for, the best hus-
band in the world, a promising fam
lily, charming home on Staten ISL
and and-but at this juncture her rev.
erie was broken in upon by a sound
of footsteps on the gravel walk lead
ing from the front gate to the house,
and looking up, she beheld the com
Portable figure of her dear friend, Mrs
Townley.
There followed scene, such as any
lady who hns been surprised by the
sudden and unexpected arrival of n
valued friend can readily imagine. In
the course of it Mrs. Townley was
conveyed to the parlor of the trim cot
ta3e, to sit and ''cool off, before 60
ing upstairs.
TAX off your bonnet, DEAR" said
her CHEEKY hostess. az will put
your satchel and parcel and things
on this chair. o, have SO much to
tell you about and scold you for; why
haven't you come down before?"
In the midst of Mrs. Townley's ex-
plantations as to why she had absented
herself, there burst through the open
French window, like the advent of a
whlrlwind, the puppy, Sport, in full
cry, followed by Eddy.
Round and round the room thew cir
rled for some moments, and then.
Dbedient to the oft-repeated commands
of his mother, the little youth turned
and embraced their visit"r with much
heartiness. The peace chat followe Il
these demonstrations was rudely put
to flight by the click of the front gate.
and the cry from Eddy, who was sta
toned at the window, announcing "a
lady coming"
Somebody to call. How provok-
ing" said Mrs. Spreadbrow, with a
quicker of her placid brow. Come,
Maria, let's go upstairs before Della
goes to the door. There goes the bell!
Never mind your things"
In an instant the room was cleared
OF all save the black and white puppy,
who shambled about for a moment,
then trotted laboriously out into the
garden by the came route he had come
in.
TITS young lady, Mrs. Spread
brow, and she says she wants to gee
you on business" announced Della. n
moment later, thrusting her head
through the door ofthe room to which
Mrs. Spreadbrow and her friend Ind
retreated.
Dear mel what can she want?'
The lady's voice expressed as much
irritation as that kindly organ could
embody.
As she entered the parlor, tall,
slim girl, who had been standing
nervously in the middle Of the room,
advanced to meet her, and the lev
tone and manner that Mrs. Spread
brow had determined TO assume to-
ward the disturber of her seclusion
melted quite away as the pretty young
creature lifted n pair Of sad dark eyes
TO her face and said in an emil ar
rassed voice:
please pardon me for intruding. I
have come tO-to-'
Pray sit down, interrupted Mrs.
SpreadbrCw, cheerily.
THANK you, said the girl. and
dropping iuto n chair. 81 will not
detain you long. / have here chill
dren's history" AMI from the
depths Of roomy satchel she pro.
duced n small bodk-"that Catcham
h Teasam are Publishing --"
All Now Mrs. Spreadbrow knew
the worst But I don't want il. 80
she said, gently.
at won't do any-anJ harm-to-
70 look at it" Tho girl spoke az if
trying to repeat lesson, and with n
wistful look i'm her face.
Eyes, it will because II I let you
show it 10 me i may buy IT, and I
really don't want &C."
Nobody does; but you nave put
your rejection Of it very kindly" said
the girl, rising to go.
Her voice trembled, md the nmile
che managed TO screw her pretty lipa
into was far from cheerful. Mrs.
Spreadbrow was touched. There was
something 30 pathetic about tho voice
and manner, and she was 20 verv
young and go very pretty. The
motherly lady laid her hand on the
girls arm, saying softly;