The Democratic advocate., 1907-12-27
Seleet Stnrp.
New Year at FenWick Farm
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES. .

Winter weather had fairly set in at
Fenwick Farm.
And winter meant winter out in those
wildernesses. where the giant pines lifted
their green, wrestling arms high above the
ravines, and the hand of the ice came down
like iron fetters on the noisy little brook
and the still, reed fringed river.
The pearly slopes of the hills were muf.
fled in snow, the wind, whistlipg through
leahess woods, woke the tiny echoes of a
million icicles, and the cold glitter of the
December sunshine was like mocking
smile.
But the low -ceiled, brooding old kitchen
in Farmer Lisbon one STORED farm house
was all aglow with ruddy freight, on that
gray, still sundown, when the evening stal
shone through the tangles Of the pine
boughs, and Jack Frost was abroad in
every deserted nook.
There were pink buds on Lefty month
ly roses in the window, and waxy clusters
of coming bloom on the dark-leaved OLE
ander. The walls were yellow washed,
and easements curtained with bright chintz,
and upon the board floor lay bright col
ored home made rug-the work Of Lefty s
own deft fingers.
And Lefty herself, moving to and fro in
the uncertain glow of the burning logs,
was pretty enough for an artists belle
ideal.
She was tall, and slight, and dark, with
wavy, black hair, fastened loosely at the
back with. an antique bar Of silver fligree,
large, deep brown eyes, cheeks as pink as
her own rosebuds, and dewy, coral lips;
and the dark calico dress that she wore,
belted trinity around the waist, and edged
at the throat with the tiniest of white
dainty rufies, fitted her as if it had come
from Worth own atelier.
She was singing softly to herself as she
prepared the table for tea; but suddenly
she paused.
OTIS Uncle Kiah's step on the old
bridge under the hill" she said aloud
"He has come back from the postofice. /"
And, peeping over the roses in the win
dow, she saw stout, well-wrapped up old
man making his way along the winding
path that led to the house. The next in
slant, she was hugging and kissing her
uncle.
s'There, child-there, don choke me, !"
said Uncle 'Kiah, as he unwound his
crimson wool comforter, and unbuttoned
the coat which gave him such close
family resemblance to grizzly bear.
"Well, Uncle Kiah, said breathless
Lefty; land the letters p
"Letters, child?'' with a glance at the
outstretched hand. "There amt no let
ters tonight. Nothin' but newspaper,
and an advertisin' circular about paintings
and organs. y
"No letters, Uncle X iah p
"Hold on!' said Uncle Kiah, seeming
suddenly to remember himself. "There
was one. I put it in my inside breast
pocket, and L m blest if I didn' clean for
get all about it.
Lefty jumped up and down with delight,
like child.
II knew there was one!'' said she. ~
knew Cousin Eudora would write.
She carried the letter to the red illumi
nation of the logs, and read it, eagerly,
twice over. And then the hand which
held it fell to her side, as she stood look
ing into the fire.
"Well? p said Uncle kiah; "and what
does Eudora say?"
"Say?' Lettie started from her reve-
rie. ''Oh, she says she s very well. And
the barrel of Spitzenberg apples arrived
all safe, and they re much obliged"
Uncle Kiah stared at his niece as he
slowly pulled off his red yarn mittens.
'sAin't there no invitation to you to
come there New Years Day?'' said he.
"No, uncle.
''Be ye sure, Letty?'
'Quite sure, uncle
"Well, l declare,'' said Uncle Kiah,
.'if that amt right up and down mean,
after all they said last summer, when |
treated you to that week at saratogy
Springsr'
Lefty said nothing. Her deep eyes
filled with tears and her lips quivered but
no word escaped her.
"Let me look, - said Uncle Kiah, per
sistently, as he fitted on his round bowed
silver spectacles. "There must be post
script, or something
But there was nothing. Uncle Kiah's
brawny countenance fell, as he saw Letty's
new disappointment.
"Then you won have any use for that
ere new currant- colored silk gownd as
cost twenty shillings a yard said he.
cit most pity you bought it, amt it p
"No, uncle, it ism IT, said Lefty, smil-
ing bravely through her tears, as she stood
on tip-toe to kiss his rugged face. "Tl
wear the dress on New Years Day, for
you to see me in!'
"And there won't be one of the city
beaux think no more Of you than your old
uncle does,'' said Uncle Kiah, giving her
bear-ike hug.
And Lefty, STOPPING to uncover the
potatoes, which were roasting for supper,
in the hot ashes, tried to persuade herself
that she didn't care a straw whether Miss
Euphema Eudora Lisbon, of Martaga
Square, invited her to pass New Years
Day with her or not.
But she did care. She could not but
recollect Mr. Fabyan's dark eyes, as he
stopped above her in the great ball-roo
of the Grand Union Hotel, at Saratoga,
and expressed hope that, after their
pleasant week of companionship, they
should meet again.
"Of course, we shall all meet again,
Miss Euphemia Eudora had said. LEFTY
is going to spend New Years Day with
me in New York
But, as time crept on, Miss Euphemia
Eudora Lisbon had thought better Of it,
She had met some dashing Chicago beau
ties, who, she thought, would enliven her
. I;ob.oJ dro vim 0 room moro effactuailv