Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-09-20
FEATHERING
THE NEST
BY LwELLEN TETERs
Copyright teol. bu Lrcllcn Teters

COpyftght E0L, on Lrctcn Ieters
ssssssssssssessssssssssess
"You see," Young went on confiden-
TALLY, Toms income is very small, but
when two people fall in love what else
can they do but marry? He works from
S to 6 every day and can't attend to
feathering the nest himself, and she
lives way up liz the country. He wants
me to select a four room fiat and get
all the furniture Would you help met
I'd be so grateful"
She glanced away from the eagerness
of his face. The open piano reminded
her of the pupils coming for lessons in
the morning. Some stockings stuffed
tightly in her wOrkbasket near by
warned her Of necessary darning
There was hat to trim over so she
could go to church on Sunday. Count.
less other petty duties arrayed them
selves silently before her in stubborn
protest.
1t had required veritable pocketine
of pride for her to apprise GorinS OF
her arrival in town. because of his for
getfulness of her in the time following
their last meeting Had he not been
the only one she knew In the big, throb-
bing city doubtless the dainty little
missive would never have been sent.
But fate pends ON trivialities, and
May Carlton feared solitude more
than she feared the past. A distasteful
suitor was wooing her with all Of the
gilded persuasiveness Of his wealth,
championed by her aunt. But Goring
did not know of this. He knew only
that May Carlton was temporarily
domlciled at chilly, stuffy boarding
house which breathed Of frying meats
at no matter what hour he called and
that there was wistful pleading in her
eyes.
1--WE will go to lunch first" Goring
put in insinuatingly; that is. il you
will?"
THANK you. but I am afraid can
not possibly go until afternoon" she
said firmly, with inward sacrifices. The
hat could go until next week: surely
there were greater sins than not at.
tending church.
1t was much easier selecting a fiat
than the furniture, as they discovered
after weary pilgrimages through de
partment stores trying to perform that
miracle commonly known as buying
what one wants at the price one can
afford. for the fiat. provided over by
a smoky. generously whiskered janitor
who insisted on taking them for his
prospective tenants and asking them
ut disconcertng intervals the size OF
their family. was decided on almost
at first glance merely because Miss
Carlton liked the parlOr mantel anG
Goring admired the size of the ice
box.
But each time she returned from the
cheerful little home that they were SC
en- -roSsed in preparing for the briGe
and groom it WAS to sink aghast at
the loneliness of her own life as she
climbed up the three interminaDle
flights Of stairs to her room. Her few
scholars barely sufficed to meet the
eXactions of her landlady. The thought
of the little Hat uptown Knocked hei
with its ins;nuating air Of home and
domesticity The instinct was strong
within her for nest Of her own. II
was only because of the inherent fond
ness for the home. as the bird builds
its nest and feathers it tenderly for its
mate, that she had been interested In
the labor.
When Goring called for her that aft
ernoon to complete the final arrange
ments in the little home. there was no
trace of the grief she had endured the
previous evening As he was an
nounced she was even beginning let
ter to her distasteful suitOr and she
thrust il into her pocket in her haste to
accompany Goring.
DO you think they'll like it!" she
asked anXiously.
Like it: They'll be crazy over 1t!
Wouldn't you:"
"Yes. | would like it." She stifed
a sigh that echoed in her heart.
She had been about to sign. her
name to that bit Of paper which
would mean for her splendid man
sion. horses and all the accessories OF
affiuence, but her heart yearned for
the tiny nest in which she stood and
the one man to share 1t with her.
Something suffocating arose in her
throat.
Pm sorry it's finished" Goring
broke in. 81 had no idea 1t was so
interesting. Tom left three days ago
for the wedding; they ought to be
here tomorrow. l suppose they won't
have a house warming"
May Carlton looked at him impul-
siyely; tomorrow was her last day
in town; she had resolved to seal her
fate and go back to that other man.
afraid to pit her puny strength longer
against the world. She longed for one
more taste Of happiness. reluctant to
take the decisive step.
"Why couldn't we arrange 1t as
surprise?' she cried eagerly. 1T will
be awfully cheerless for bride, COM
ing to a dark house without one light
to greet her. Oh. please"
Goring glanced into her flushed, visit
full face. thinking Of that summer time
past and the man who rumOr said
had robbed him of her love.
"Well. we will. I'll see caterer
"a caterer? When l can bake the
most poetical biscuit and make am
brosia from mere coffee. Oh, what do
we want of any ignorant. expert food
maker" she cried.
I'm your hands then" he bowed In
mock gravity.
Sundry mysterious parcels dispatched
by Goring kept arriving all afternoon
after May reached the fat. each breath.
ing its own delectable secret. She
donned huge white apron and began
her preparations early. for Goring had
telephoned her that he thought the
couple would arrive at q and he would
drive up with them.
But he stepped in alone. unan-
nouncei. for lie had yetained one of the
keys, and entered IN atmosphere OF
delicious, savory odors. \ bright light
radiated from the kitchen. and he stood
silently in the doorway, unseen by