The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-06-21

-Ni9' smart = whence she was driven
home in the new phaeton Mrs. Smart
had provided for the use Of summer
boarders.
Fifteen minutes yet before eleven
o'clock" remarked Miss Hepsey. TAX
ing down her sign Saved a quarter
of an hour and a lot OF strength by
that ride. I'll use that time setting
things down in black and white. so
won't get mixed on my calculation
Now there just Miss Delaney left. and
II she doesn't belle her looks sbe'n
be just no obstacle worth mentioning
Blue eyes and yellow hair aren't like.
" to be stubborn-though she must be
Stuoporner than she looks, or she
couldn't amount TO so much"
1t was early July. Miss Delaney
sat on Mrs. Smart's front veranda.
looking out over the wide spread pan.
Drama of hill and valley, forest and
meadow, with eyes that noted and n
heart that appreciated the beauty of
the scene.
How restful it isw she said to her.
self. "And all this restfulness be.
longs TO me for two long, lazy months.
Not lesson, not an engagement. not
duty evenw
1t was then that sle noticed, com.
ing up the road, a queer, erect little
figure, clad in shabby black and
crowned by big poke bonnet. Miss
Delaney watched it with an amused,
lmpersonal smile She did not rise;
she was too comfortable to be dis.
turbed by Mrs. Smart's callers.
But the little woman did not cross
the porch to the door Instead she
turned to the occupant of the ham.
mock, and said
This is Miss Delaney, isn't it? Now
wouldn't you call it provldentlal when
came to see you that l should find
you right of, and all alone, at that?"
1T gives me pleasure, 1 am sure"
murmured Miss Delaney, with more
politeness than sincerity.
Now, does it really? That's real
good of you, though Pm not surprised
your mouth prepared me. I never
saw a mouth like yours. kind of turned
up at the corners. with little dimple
at the side. but 1t went with a good
disposition.
I'm Hepsey Allen, carpet weaver.
You may have heard Of me-most ev-
erybody knows me about here Now.
Miss Delaney, we're acquainted. and
so I'm going to get right to business,
Tor put out my sign Home at four
o'clock
I'd ike TO tell you a little story If
you'd be so good as to listen" The
CHEEKY voice hesitated. but at Miss De.
laacy's somewhat formal bow went on
to tell the story Of Jessica's difficulties
IN few crisp sentences.
She wants 20 be a music Teacher
the worst way" said Miss Hepscv
nut she needs more instruction ana
better than what she's had. Now. INV
dear. please wait awhile before you
tell me that you don't teach I'm sim.
mer. Mrs. Smarts told me that al
ready, and want to finish my story
"She's not able to pay for lessons
and she wouldn't accept 'em I'm char.
liy, so four women Of US that love the
srl have formed n secret society, and
nobody knows it but our four selves.
! or course you'll know it when I've
to.d you, but you won't tell.
We planned 1t all out. 1t took some
tmo to fix It so we could get every
thing straight, for we're none of MS
much on arithmetic, and couldn't ask
Jessica's help because She NOT TO
know till you've said YES.
"JesSica spends one hour day work.
Ing in my garden, which / can't well do
on account Of a crick when I stoop.
While She's working Pm weaving. and
all the weaving / do that hour is for
her benefit which you can see is fair.
Tor If she wasn't working for me ia
nave 10 lose that much time away
from my loom.
Mrs. Browns been preparing rags
this ever so long, but hasn't felt able to
hlre them woven so / told her I'd add
up all those hours till | had enough
time TO weave her carpet. Mrs. Brown
IS master hand at cooking. and she
baEes all Mrs TaylOr's bread and MICS
Mrs. Taylor being a dressmaker. and
busy sewing all the time. Mrs. Brown
not having the money to pay me. is
baking it out for Mrs. Taylor, and Mrs
Taylor. instead of paying Mrs. Brown.
is turning II on to Mrs. smarts sew.
ing-she does all Mrs. smarts dress
making and Ada's-and Mrs. Smart Is
to take II out OF your board, and let
you give II in lessons to Jesslca.
I'VE do It ell gradually, so It won't
come hard on any body, and by the
time it gets back to where it started
from. you see it's really Jessica pay
ing for her own lessons. which is the
only way a self-respectlng girl would
: be satisfied 70 do. Everything is fixed.
Miss Delaney, except your part OF IT,"
The chirpy voice ceased and the
bright eyes looked away over the sum
mer landscape with a hint Of anxiety
In their depths Miss Delaney did not
Iroply at once Her fair smooth fore