Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

Mrs Frazer sat down heavily in a low
rocking chair and took her darning basket
on her lap. She drew rather large black
stocking up over her arm, thrusting her
hand well down into the foot and spread
ing her fingers far apart. She examined 1t
carefully with her head on enc side and a
little nearsighted sQuint in her eyes.
Then she threaded a needle and dropped
a glass ointment jar, over which she al
ways darned, into the stocking.
The door bell rang
"Oh. mercy on us!' said Mrs. Frazer
She jumped up stiffiy, but so suddenly that
the darning things rolled all over the hoor.
Just because I'd set out to darn! l could
embroider on them pillow shains month,
an not soul would set foot in this house.
I wonder who 1t isl
She lifted one edge of the shade and
nee red ont cautiously "Oh my! It's Mis-
Dean. I'd almost rather it had been the
minister
She gathered up the darning implements
and the red canton flannel stocking bag
and hurried into the bed room. She re-
turned in a moment and with a triumphant
air laid partly embroidered pillow sham
carelessly on the table. thrust a needle into
it, and set her thimble beside it. Then she
opened the door.
why, Mis- Dean, You don't mean it.
Really, now? Well, I'm amazed. l thought
you never was comm. Come right IN
don't mind your rubbers. My carpet amt
silk-warp henrietty. l never take my rub
sers off anywheres. It's too much trouble.
If folks don't like my rubbers, they needn' t
like me-thats all! Love me- love my rub
bers,' she added, with a comfortable laugh,
preceding her guest into the sitting room.
Mrs. Dean sank into low chalr she
was a small, colorless woman with cold
eyes and "a stubborn mouth
such a hill as you live on she Faid. in
an injured tone. What possessed you to
buy way up here?
oh, Just to give folks somethin' to " on
der about replied Mrs. Frazer. with her
mellow. eXasperating laugh. Folks are
bound to ask questions, you know. III they
don't ask what made us build way up
clear around, or bay window in the bath
room, or why we didn't run our pipes On
the outside instid the inside
Yes said Mrs. Dean, coldly. Her rale
eyes were commencing to let out little
unsupported fire. She had many nervous
movements Her veil was too short. and
she kept putting up careiesSly SluVed
hand to draw it down over her thin chin.
Each time it sprang back, like piece OF
rubber. and curved in to her lips with
every breath.
you maxim ShamS?'
"YeS-I was just wOrkin' on en-.
"Well,' said Mrs. Frazer She got up
more slowly this time. She was large wo-
man: she moved stiff1y. 1T never rains but
it pours-'
Sublimely unconscious of her rudeness
she went to the door.
"Oh, Mis- Hostetter, You, is it? Well
I'm right glad you come. Step In. I guess
you know Mis- Dean?" she added. humor-
ously.
"Oh, my. yes" said Mrs Hostetter sit
ting on the edge Of a chair She was tai!
and thin She stopped slightly
II was afraid it might be the minister"
Mrs. Frazer resumed her place.
well, talkin about the minister" said
Mrs. Dean, lowering her voice. II lust want
that you should notice how often he goes
to Miss Huntley's. I've seen him go there
time an agin. He's mighty scarce In his
calm at our house, l notice Why, I Won
der where the trunks a-goin' in that ex-
press wagon"
at once.
Il wonderI'' said Mrs Frazer. rubbing
her chin. There amt a soul NORM in
round here anywheres that | know of. |
can't think where it can he goin' 10. I$art-
los house is right in the way, sos we cant
see, even if We go outside.
Like as not some o your reiehbors has
had company come suggested Mrs. IICs-
letter.
well. I'll run in an ask Mis- Bartlo to-
morrow if she see where it went to-" Mrs