Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1905-09-21

in the prosperous days, when their,
father was still living and able to-
care for them. The doctor had said,
in the spring, that Fanny was suffer-
ing from neurasthenia, and absolute
~ required this change Of air, which
had, at first, seemed such an i'm
possible luxury for the two months
vacation.
Every good day was spent In the
open air, Sarah provided lunches for,
he party and joined them In wheel.
ing trips to neighboring points OF in
terest. After few weeks at the sea-
shore, the girls decided that a
mountain trip would be acceptable,
This was rather serious undertaking,
and when they returned home to pre-
pare for 1t they spent several days
In studying, maps before yenturing
upon the road. Fanny and Gertrude
first went of alone in search Of al
location, wheeling as far as they
could while daylight lasted. and lodg-
ing at village inn or at some farm
house, where supper and breakfast
were provided at moderate rates.
Several days elapsed before they
found little country town, nesting
among the hills, where pure air, the
beauties Of nature and moderate prices
could be found In combination. They
were able to rent couple of nice
furnished rooms for $40 month. With
the contents of two trunks, brought
by Sarah and Ada, the rooms were
given very homelike aspect
1t was soon noticed that Fanny,
began to receive great many letters
addressed In a masculine handwrit.
ing. Moreover, the postmark was
that OF the seaside town which they
had just quilted. Fanny offered no
explanation. and suspicion settled
upon good-looking young man. lie
was the son of a summer cottager
who had once sheltered Ada and
Fanny during storm, and afterward'
sent them home provided with un!
brellas and overshoes. The girls re-
called that this young man some
times joined them on their wheeling
expeditions, and on such occasions
usually had been close attendant
on Fanny.
Gertrude did not now take much
interest in Fanny's affairs. She was
studying botany. A young college
professor, boarding at the village inn,
while making special herbarium Of
flowers Of that region. volunteered to
give her lessons. The two often
went out wheeling together In search
of specimens.
Ada found friends among the VIII
,lage girls, and Sarah. partly left to
her own devices found her landlady
a pleasant companion. Mrs. Riggs
was the widow of well-to-do farm.
er, and Mrs. Riggs son was good
looking and well-educated young man.
When be found Sarah roaming for
lornly about, while Fanny wrote her
interminable letters or Gertrude was
on botanizing with her professor, he
invited her to Join him on visits 10
points of interest In the country. He
found It easy to borrow bicycle
from friends in the village. and Sarah
could ride Fanny's machine at such
times.
Almost before the girls were aware
of II vacation was over and the first
of September had arrived. They were
happy and healthy. muscles and
nerves being toned up by outdoor life
and long trips on the bicycle.
When they were once more In the
nat, Ada, who had enjoyed every
minute of the summer, began to an
ticipate the coming years excursions.
Her remarks to her sisters brought
only embarrassed and evasive replies
Finally she demanded an explana-
ton. Well" faltered Fanny. Il shall
be at the seashore next summer you
can all visit me as long as you like,
for we shall have cottage TO our.
selves" And then she admitted that
she had promised to marry the very
polite young son Of the rich cottager.
Il think l shall be In Canada next
season, botanizing with the professor"
said Gertrude.
Never mind. Ada, you win like II
better at Mrs. Riggs farm with me.
I've given my word TO marry her son, !"
declared Sarah.-Amerfcan Queen.