Middletown transcript., 1905-04-01
THAT GIRL AT THE COTTAGE
BY PHIL ALtSANDER

The roof was deep and pointed, projecting
like benefcent eyebrows over the latticed
windows, which now cleaned under the
bright rays of the ruddy wintry sun.
Dark hollies and yews framed its irregular
outlines and little knoll crowned with
Scotch frs rose sharply behind it.
"It is pretty enough for the home OF
any young person, however luxurious size
may be-" Mrs. Moncrieff declared as they
walked up the path. "But afterwards
you thought that she wasn't luxurious,
didn't you? l expect that you will be
right, and that we shall tind her quite
old fashioned and respectable. Anybody
with the name Of Christian is sure to be
old d-fashioned. And now tell me if yon
think that this carpet is very shabby ?
| | should like her to be at least as COM
Portable as my own maids at home in the
kitchen, and they have beautiful rug
and lovely new Windsor chair"
They were in the parlor now. 1t had
broad low window which, fowerless
and uncurtained, looked very bare in the
wintry afternoon light, and the carpet
was gray and dingy and nk-staihed.
| 1T is not as comfortable as our own
Kitchen" Mrs. Moncrieff pronounced
decidedly.
."And, apart from the luxurious lean
ings, she. is probably a cut above the
maids" John added, putting bis hands
in his pockets and sitting down on the
table. 1t creaked under him.
"Get up, john get up-do The legs
are so unsteady Y cried the Wears wife
in alarm. "We must really make an
inventory, | fear. You shall come to-
morrow and help me with the list. We
won't bother about business now, but
just drive away to the Moat and have
cosy cup Of tea at Mrs. Colquhoun's,
and perhaps she and between US can
manage to persuade you not to run away
again to Africa or India, just to write
letters about the war for stupid ungrateful
people who don't know you, and wouldn't
care twopence if you were killed."
"One must keep ones engagements.
He was wandering round the rooms and
glancing causally at the prints on the
walls. "What will the Daily Dispatch do
if play them false?'
But his stepmother's thoughts had
gone off elsewhere. She was lingering
some cracked china Of hideous design
which stood on the mantelpiece.
II wonder" she said suddenly, as she
cast last glance around wonder
what makes Miss Earle SO anxious 10
come here ~
rs she anxious r. John asked.
"Yes. In Mr.. Hastings letter Of to-
day-you know Miss Earle's letter came
three days before his-he praised her as
conscientious and exceptional teacher,
and said that he very much hoped that
your father would select her, as she was
very desirous Of settling at Cranleigh
| Moss"
"hunph-an old desire on the part Of
any woman under fifty y commented
John Moncrieff.
There was to be dinner-party at the
| Nicarage the next week to speed the
parting traveller, for war loomed OH the
political horizon, and Johns services
we're in demand He had been notified
to hold himself in readiness to start at
any moment Mrs. Moncrieff was over
flowing with goodwill. She generally
had some innocent little hobby on the
tdpis, and at this particular time she had
two to busy herself with. One was the
refurbishment Of the schoolhouse, the
other the arrangement Of the menu for
the farewell dinner party.
MY DEAR" Miss Dowlett, who was the
croaker Of the village, lad groaned to her
"don't spend too much on this young
woman's comfort. She isn't worth it,
am convinced. l quite anticipate that
she will turn out some fipyery creature
who will set her cap at every farmer in
the neighborhood, and bring all sorts Of
nonsense to nleigh-bicyces, pianos
and dancing classes-to upset our poor
young peoples minds. A rocking chair
What extravaganza Pray why isn't the
chair that Miss Smith sat on good enough
for Miss Earle? ?''
Mrs. Moncrieff came home little de-
pressed after this criticism Of her plans,
and after dinner, when they were sitting
round the drawingroom fire, she repeated
it for Johns benefit.
''She is a cantankerous old raven I" he
commented cheerily. "The schoolhouse
was in disgracefnl repair, and yours was
only the act Of humanitarian Don't
think Of her nonsense any more, but tell
me who is coming tomorrow night ~
"Oh, qnite number Of nice people
Major and Mrs. Colquhoun. and Betty
Foster, and Dean Grant and his wife,
with Daisy and Veronica-twenty Of US
altogether.
"And who is to be the victim Of my
conversational powers ?" he asked
Veronica Grant. But she won't con-
slider herself victim. She was in short
petticoats, you know, when you saw her
last, and she is so tall and pretty now.
Yes-we shall be very busy tomorrow,
for Miss Earle wrote this morning to say
that she will arrive by the $50 train, and
Rogers must get back from Packmore
station in time to help Tompkns wait at
table. And then have my flowers to
arrange, and Betty Foster is coming early
to see the new schoohouse furniture
What dreadful journey Miss Earle will
have all the way from Northumberland
in snch weather as this ~
1T seems pretty bad tonight" John
remarked. He got up and looked out
between the cosly-curtained windows.
Let US hope the wind will 60 down
before tomorrow. Put another log on
the fire, John. We shall have time for a