Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-22

maiden aunt in the country. while in
.lination strongly urged him TO go up
@ town in order to see the girl he
.ovej. But on this occasion duty had
% be considered, for Miss Drury, the
aunt in question, was a wealthy old
lady, and he was practically iepen-
dent upon her.
All things considered however. Fate
= rad not been so very unkind to Felix.
Left an orphan at an early age. he
lad been adopted by mis- mothers ell
Ter sister. who had done her duty
aobly by him. Now at the age OF twen-
sy-five he found himself a subaltern
n one OF the line regiments. with =
handsome allowance from mis- aunt,
and every prospect of becoming her
heir. But-there is always but in
most peoples lives-although Miss
Drury had been more than liberal 10
her nephew and forebore to exercise
any but a very nominal restraint over
his actions. ye1 she had given him 10
understand that she meant TO exert
her authority in one important mat
ser. namely. the question OF his mar
rage.
In due course OF time she intended
Felix to become master Of Wood
lands, her beautiful old house. and
since his wife would occupy her place
as mistress. Miss Drury meant 10 linn
it, if not direct, her nephew's choice
of bride.
She did not approve of the modern
woman. the up-to-date girl. with ner
cigarette and her slang. her talk OF
golf and bridge. her contempt Tor
needlework. and all things pertaining
TO domesticity. Felix could sec in mis-
minds eye the wife his aunt destined
for him-a meek and modest young
woman of ultra-refned speech ard SD
pearance. and always with piece OF
fancy work between her fnsers-and
he shuddered at the picture. Then he
thought. with a sudden tightening OF
his heart. of Kitty Bellairs, as ne had
seen her last summer at the house
Of a brother officer-beautifnl. mis-
chievous. high-spirited. keen tennis
player. a brilliant horsewoman. fIll
OF life and laughter She had charmed
the young mans heart ont of him. and
though Felix tried desperately hard
to Danish her from his memory. alb
sence. in this case. had certainly
made the heart grow fender.
Il darent tell Aunt Minnie about
Kitty" thought the young man ciscon-
solately. ct course if she knew her
as do she couldn't help but love her
although she isn't quite her
style, but ! don't see how ever they
are TO meet, since my little darling
knows no enc in this neighborhood.
and Aunt Min never will come up TO
town.
In the depths OF his heart Felix was
genuinely fcnd of the old lady, who
had so generously mothered him all
his life. and he was therefore rather
disconnected TO fad when he reached
Woodlands that Miss Drury was very
much perturbed and upset about
something. Generally his aunt was a
very dainty looking little old lady. ex-
quisitely dressed. and the perfection
of a hostess. But on this particular
afternoon she greeted her nephew in
an absentminded fashion, her cap
slightly awry. her cheeks flushed. anil
her beautiful old hands trembling.
why, Aunt Minnie" said the
young man anxiously, whatever IS
the natter
"Oh. my dear Felix replied the
old lady, looking into his handsome
face with troubled blue eyes. Il have
had such dreadful upset. Two of the
housemaids are dcwn with influenza,
and now Parkirs. who is quite invalu-
able. has declared she can hold up no
longer. and has gone TO bed seriously
i'll, | fear
Felix gave n whistle of dismay. Par
kins was cook-housekeepcr at Wood
lands. and the pivot upon which the
rest of the household turned. She was
an exceptionally good cook. and he
knew that his aunt prided herself that
her dinners were unsurpassed in the
neighborhcod
Il would net have minded had we
been alone" continued Miss Drury.
but the house is full of people. and
have a large dinner party tomor-
row."
What a catastrophe" exclaimed her
nephew, alphabetically. who knew
how vexed was Miss Drury's orderly
mind when any household affairs
went wrong. Cant you get a woman
from the village to help?"
'Of course can. but you don't
know what these village women are
like, my dear Felix: dirty incompe.
tent creatures, and as incapable OF
sending up a dinner as you are. No
must just leave Susan. the kitchen.
maid, to do her best; but | know !
shall be disgracei tomorrow. and
do not mind so much. if my guests
don't have the best of everything
And TO make matters worse, that
greedy old Sir Gregory is coming. and
he always says he never dimes so well
anywhere as here. You don't know OF
4 cook that you can recommend by
any chance. do you. Felix" She asked
desperately.
This wistful appeal touched tho
young mans heart AS q rule. a SUB
altern home on leave is not the per
son one would naturally apply to for a
cook, but Miss Drury was al Acr wits
end. Felix knitted his brows and
thought hard for minute, at ;he end
of which time a brilliant inspiration