The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-02-01
QUESTION OF
INCOME
BY BELLE MANDATES
cOVyHsht. 1904. by Belle Manial..

pile or plates with her on each trip
wiping as she went, she was not keep
ing pace with Rosie, the help. who was
washing the dishes.
II VOW, Susie. this is the tenth time
you have gone to that window"
"Oh, can't wait to see herr sighed
Susie. 81 am so afraid the train is late.
The coming of the city cousin, Kath
Ign Randall, was always an event. The
visit generally occurred in strawberry
or harvest time. but what could have
induced her to come to the farm in
November was beyond the combined
conjectures of the Randall family. She
had written short note saying she
would be there that morning for a long
visit
Can hardly wait for what. SUSSEX
asked a manly voice.
Susie looked up into the handsome
face of Neil Mines. one of the men
from the city who were camping down
OH the river for the shooting season.
1t was Neirs turn to come for the milk
( and butter with which Mrs. Bradley
supplied them. ...
My cousin. She is coming to visit
us, and, oh. she is so lovely and wears
such beautiful clothesv'
Mines laughed and walked out
| through the woodshed and across fields
of stubble to join his companions.
| II can just imagine the city cousin"
| he thought. 'clad in n bargain shirt
waist suit and picture hat from the
bazaar at $1.39. overwhelming the coun-
! frr- FNIl- oh wi
| He heard the round of running feet
behind and turned. expecting to see a
| young colt. but it was Susie.
Mother said | could go down to the
river road and meet them and ride
home with them"
Your cousin will think she has fall
en- in clover when she hears there are
four young men on the premises he
suggested.
Susie loftily
Then she'll be sure to want more.
| Tell her we are all married. will you"
| Susie. however, had caught the
sound of distant wheels and sped
| quickly away Mines met them rid
ing i'll the light wagon, Mr.. Bradley and
the baggage on the first seat, and Susie
perched proudly on the back seat be-
side the most stunning looking girl that
he had ever seen. Mr.. Bradley refined
up and presented Mines to his niece,
Miss Randall. who acknowledged the
Introduction cordially. Then they
drove on, and Mines, recalling her
tailored travelling coat with the big
bunch of violets fastened at the belt,
the chic hat and correct appointments
of veil, gloves and purse, also foreign
labeled steamer trunk, was amused at
his preconception of the "city cousin"
He went on to the camp racking his
brains for a plausible errand to the
farmhouse. but his wits, usually fer
tile, refused to suggest. Finally he
resolved to go away and await an in
spiration. When he reached the farm
house. Miss Randall, charmingly gown
ed, was in the kitchen with her aunt
She hardly vouchsafed the young man
a glance.
"Oh, Mr.. Mines, what can l do for
you?" asked Mrs. Bradley.
"Why-er-oh, we want some more
butter" he said desperately.
what have you done with all that
you got this morning?" she exclaimed.
"Well, you see, it's Johnson's turn to
cook, AMI he uses so much butterr'
Mrs. Bradley's eyes twinkled as she
got a roll of buttef. while Susie giggled
outright. and he could see that Miss
Randall was amused. though she was
quite ignoring his presence. Suddenly
it came to him in flash that Susie
had repeated his remarks. He turned
to go. and Mrs. Bradley said good ma
turedly:
Susie. go as far as the barn with
Mr.. Mines and show him where to get
some cider"
On the way out he asked Susie anx-
lously If she had told what he said.
''Oh, yes" she replied cheerfully.
He groaned.
what did your cousin sayT"
'She said you didn't look like such a
cad"
He WINGED and was silent for a mo-
ment Then he said suddenly:
Say. Susie, is her fathers name
Wellman Randall2"
Eyes. Uncle wellman is her father
he is awfully rich"
OF course he was. Every one knew
Of Wellman Randall. the successful
speculator.
Il am sorry" he said half to himself.
"Why?' asked Susie Indignantly.
SUncle Wellman is lovely"
II know he is. but l wish he were
poor"
q. Such wish was beyond Susie's IN
and she thought he was
Joking. All day he loafed and smoked
by himself and thought of the vision
at the Bradleys. At twilight he insist
ed that the milk was sour and went up
to the house for a fresh supply. By
good fortune Miss Randall was alone
in the orchard.
Miss Randall" he said, coming I'D
to her, 1--WE are all prone at times to
say utterly idle words that we don't
mean. couldn't know that you were'-
THAT l was what?" she asked as be
hesitated.
THAT you were the hundredth wo-
man. Until saw you had no reason
to suppose that you were not one of
tie ninety-nine. l don't wonder you
think me a cad, though
She blushed little.
Il am afraid Susie is leaky," she said.
Further conversation was prevented
by Mr.. Bradley's appearance upon the
scene.
Come, Kathlyn, if you want to go
with me to see the committee. We
must be starting"
Yes. uncle. Good night, Mr.. Mines"
And she walked away. leaving Neil dis
The next day. Sunday, the men were
away from camp fishing save Neil, |
whose turn it was to cook dinner. |
Willie in the tent he heard steps APP |
and then fall. Going out, |
ne saw Susie sprawled on the ground |
BY the side of a pumpkin pie Both