The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-25

other men.
IL came 10 the day before Christmas
and he hadn't called on her for six
months. but that afternoon I was IN
Flora's house, and ] saw him coming
down the road He thought he ought 10
call. and he made up his mind TO make a
short formal call. but Il didn't come out
the way he had planned.
When ] saw him coming / turned TO
Flora, and ] said. "Flora, guess Mr..
Eddy = coming
She turned pale. then a beautiful color
came into her cheeks. Well" said she.
''iet him come"
Jumped up and began 20 turn the
rats over as usual. and she jumped up
too, but she just grabbed my arm 10 stop
me instead OF going to work herself
Don't said she. Il don't want them
turned over"
Why don't YOU. Flora?" said /.
Because ] don't" said she. Il don't
want them turned over"
Nor the pictures. either?" said /.
NO" said she. Nor the tides nor any
thing"
All the time she was talking she was
pulling OF her dress-sklrt. Then she got
her apron again wrong side out
! stared at her. my land, Fiora," said
J. are you gone crazy?''
No." said she. Il have not, but there
shan't be any more talk about deception,
and II ne thinks I'm odd, he shall get the
fun brunt Of It," Then the door-bell rang
and Flora went to the door with her head
high. switching along that wrong -side-out
eli ~ q nj hae - e.,
she did look ridiculous All the seams Of
her skirt showed the overcasting, and
there was the drab cambric facing.
| saw the minister looking at it with the
strangest look ! ever saw on a mans
face He looked as If he wanted TO burst
right out laughing and yet he looked sort
of admiring. didn't know what TO think
of him or her There were all the pic
lures with their board-sides out, and the
table cloth showing the long stitches, II
was one that Flora had worked herself.
and all the tides wrong. Flora talked
along just as easy as II everything was all
right.
1t seemed to me that / never saw Flora
look so handsome her cheeks were blaZ-
ing, and her eyes like black stars. Pres
emily she says: "Oh, Mr. Eddy, you have
A'fNl 0NEH NY HOuSC- 4 nave UedFu you
are interested in old houses and old fur
ni9ire. and this is over hundred years
old, and / have some fine old pieces of
furniture. Wouldn't you like 10 see
them?"
OF course he couldn't do any less than
say he would, and we all rose UP TO go. I
knew If Flora was going 10 show him the
house, she would want me to stay.
and there was everything wrong side out,
and bottom side up, down to the broom
Flora called attention 10 that. Il always
take pains to set my broom with handle
end down" said she, otherwise il wears
out dreadfully."
She took him into the buttery, and there
were all the upside down dishes. She had
baked some pies that morning, and they
were upside down in their plates. "If the
bottom crust gets the air, they keep long
err" said Flora. / stared al her. for 7
had never heard of such a thing. but /
uldnt say word / began 10 think that
she had been expecting that he might
CALL and getting everything ready. thai If
was all cut and dried, and / guess il was.
She took him all over the house. In tbe
chambers. all the bed-spreads were on
wrong side out, and even the looking
glasses hung faces to the wall. II can't
have the sun shining on the glass" saws
Flora, 1T spoils it,
The minister followed after her and
that queer look on his face seemed 10
deepen and deepen
We had got around to the snare cham
Der. and = was a sight: an asbiops,,
knoited counterpane on the bed, with all
n ha lFna Oh
the carpet wrong side out. and the mats
ana the covers on the bureau and stand.
and the looking-glass face to the wall
and the two pictures. one Of Flora's flow
er drawings, and the other a hair wreath
she made when she was a young girl
Inc Curtains mad the wrong side TO the
ROOM and l declare If even the chairs
weren't tipped up. and faced TO the wall
Ihat whole room looked as if il were
backing on out or sight as fast as il
could so.
All of a sudden 1 saw the minister's
mouth basin 10 twitch. then as If he
couldn't hold out a minute longer. he
burst into one great roar of laughter. He
Just doubled up with il. / never thought
be could laugh so. Flora looked AT him.
her mouth twitching, as If she wouldn't
give in, then she couldn't help it, and she
laughed. too.
l went downstairs. II suddenly came
to me they might have an understanding.
went of home without saying a word.
L went over there again the next morn
ing. for ! must say | was a little curious
What made you run off so last night?'
says Flora. but she looked as If she was
Sad enough / did. / didn't answer her
for minute, was so struck. / couldn't
think what had come 10 the house. Then
saw everything was right side out.
There was the sun pouring in on the car
pet, anu .f.s mats. and the pictures. ana
and Flora had on her apron
right
For the land sakes. Flora" said I.
who's comingg'
Nobody just yet that know Of" saws
Flora. She blushed all over her face and
neck.
Il don't know but the minister and his
mother will come TO supper, as long as
It's Christmas" says she In a minute,
and I'D be happy 10 have you come over,
too"
Then you are going to-" says l.
Yes suppose So" says Flora.
but he isn't coming till afternoon"
says /. looking at the pictures and the
mats again.
Il know that" said Flora, but I'm
going 20 keep things right side out after
this, l got up this morning at 4 o'clock
and turned the perlor carpet ] had my
way yesterday. but this morning I've
given II 10 him for Christmas present
lcopyright. 1900. Daily Story Publishing Company
Two DInerent Points of View.
From the Albany Fest