The Delawarean., 1900-09-22
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
HONOR EHSTNANrS *
7~ SUMNER BOARDERS,
Z OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

WISH you would take Inein, I1OlOF.
The voice was the peevish, fretful one of
the farmers wife, who had added to her
burdens by taking summer boarders.
"Every room in my house is full, and it
would be too bad to send them back to
the city,
"But our poor place is not fine enough |
for city people," said Honor Eastman,
looking deprecatingly at the blue corn
2. flower pattern Oh the wall, then through |
the open window toward the river that,
winding its way between green banks,
separated her farm from her neighbours.
Nonsense" said the other energetic
ally. "You know you've got one of the
finest places in Michigan, Honor, and
they'll pay well and not be much both
en-"
Met thus with the convincing logic of
experience, Honor laid aside her scruples
and followed the example of her neigh
bors, who opened their homes to the city
folk that overrun the Michigan side Of
the lake all the summer long. She did it
hesitatingly, regretting the invasion Of
the privacy of her home and looking
wistfully at her flower beds brilliant
with the many hued marigolds and petu-
Mas and hollyhocks. 81 hope they won't
pick them ALL" she said to herself and
then chded her own selfshness.
Mrs. Harrington came with her small
children and large trunks filled with
pretty gowns that gave Honor the near
est feeling of envy she had ever felt.
The ladys husband came out on Sun
day, accompanied by a tall, handsome
man whom the children called "Uncle
Tom" aud Mrs Harrington introduced
as "my brother, Dir. Thomas Haddon."
Uncle Tom was a favorite with his
small nephew and namesake, and that
afternoon when Honor went into the
parlor to carry away her favorite book
of poems from the marble top table she
saw through the window that young gen
tleman perched on tile porch balustrade,
looking down admringly at his uncle in
the rustic chair enjoying his after dinner
cigar.
"It's jolly here, Uncle Tom" said the
boy. I'VE have pie for breakfast and
cake every meal, and there's an organ
instead of q piano, and the cook comes
in and says, Honor, do you want the
eggs billed or scrambled for breakfastT
and never says Yes, ma'am,' or Miss
like mammals"
The gentleman laughed, and Honor es-
capped undetected as listener, but her
pride was hurt. She had thought her
guests must see that she understood their
standard Of living The cottage organ
represented the profits Of the berry crop,
and her friends had praised her playing
until Honor esteemed herself musician.
The next morning there was no pie for
breakfast. Even the cake was reserved
for the evening meal, and when the chill
dren teased for hymns Honor excused
herself on the plea Of much housework.
In the fall, when the Harringtons had
gone back to the city, Honor found she
had saved quite a sum above the eX-
penses of the summer. 1t was lonely ut
the farmhouse without the children, and
Honor could not think of Mrs. Haring-
tons beautiful manners and tasteful dress
without feeling of secret envy. An idea
came to her, but it was too daring to be
realized. "At my time of life, too" she
said to herself "Why, I'm nearly 30."
But the face that looked back from the
mirror was youthful and bright. Il be-
lieve I'll do it. There's nothing to him
der" she said, and the brown eyes in
the mirror looked back with approving
assurance.
There was much wonder and some
comment in the rural neighborhood when
it was learned that Honor Eastman had
gone to Chicago TO stay all winter. But
Honor had left no explanation of why
she went, and the letters she received
were addressed in the care of a promi-
nent woman's club
In the early spring, almost as soon as
the robin redbreasts came, Honor was
back at the farm, taking up the lines OF
her duty where she had laid them down
in the autumn.
When Mrs Harrington wrote asking
If she would take the family again fol
the summer, Honor was glad, and they
came when the strawberries were ripest
and best.
DR.. Haddon came the following Sun
day. and in the afternoon as he lay
stretched in the hammock laziy watch
ing the curling smoke Of a cigar as il
lost itself in the leafy canopy above him
Mrs. Harrington interrupted his Heveries
II do not understand it," she said
"Everything seems unchanged but there
is difference. It is more as / would dc
things myself. The meals are the same
but so nicely served. Ionor's dresses
are as simple, but her manners are thost
Of the self possessed woman Of the world
And the daintness of everything! YOl
noticed the flowers on the table"
"Poohw said her brother, looking at hi
handsome, elegant sister admiringly. "lt'
only your good Influence, Alice"
Nevertheless some weeks later DR.
Haddon declared that Sunday trips to tn
country were too brief, that he needed
rest, and vas not going back to the cit.
for month.
And Master Tom, if he thought tha
his uncle would devote all his time t
him, mendng his fishing line and tindin
where the finest peaches and grapes grew
was doomed to disappointment. It eve
went so far that that young gentlema
was forgotten OF left out in the afternoo
row on the river. for DIR. IIaddon, dis
covering Honor's love of books declare
there was no place so favorable for tn
reading of ones favorite author as in
boat, resting in the shade of vine lade
branches overhanging tie banks Th
quiet, modest young woman, who coul
manage a household or farm equal
well and whose manners were graciou
and gentle. like those of a woman of Gu
ture at Grst aroused his curiosity, the
his interest, and interest is always aki
&o