Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-06

There were carved stone coiniees
over the windows, and two bro"n-svone ~ - nJI r;r
Guarded the door, while in the narrow slrlp
OF close-shave grass before the house Tes
brown-stone fountain, that was aloweo 70
play every evening, between the hours OF SIX
and eight. ...h,;sh,nont
went by clockwork, as Irix ana Jessie sooi'
tall. grave serving-man opened the door
for them, and, led by Aunt Prue, they passse:nn :n
from the dazzling sunlight into sudden CHILL
ard shadow.
A great hall, with oak-raftered ceiling ana and
long ystas of stately rooms, opened gloomily
on either side. Heavy. old furniture stood
around, shrouded in stiff gray linen, ana tail
portraits looked down from the walls throuSh
wells of yellow gauze:
Closed shutters and drawn blinds kept out
every raw of sunshine, and Tessies hrst act
was to stumble over large, elaw.iooted OF
toman and nearly break her poor little nose.
Dear me. child! can't you see where you
are going?' said Aunt Prue, sharply, ~
"N-no, ma'am, 1 can't!' faltered Jessie
'1t's too dark"
you'll have to get used to that was the
grim answer. MY windows are not left open
to let in the dust and sunshine. Here, Dor
cas-" and she turned to prim woman SER
want in spotless cap and apron, who had noise
lessly entered the room, ''these are my nieces,
of whom l wrote-my brother, General Tai
bots daughters. Take them to the room you
have all that their comfort requires"
And then Dorcas, who was thin and spare,
with little eyes that blinked like cats under
white lashes, led the two tired little travellers
rest of the house-spotess and dark and cool.
Trix walked to the window and threw open
blind and shutter.
ooh, if you please, miss, that's altogether
against orders!" purred Dorcas, behind her.
Miss Talbot never allows shutter to be
oupned until six o'clock -
Miss Talbot can do as she pleases," TriX
replied. I'm not going to break the bridge
of my nose for anybody. Oh, Tessie, look!
Here's funny little yard, with two trees and
a grapevine and some rose bushes Thank
goodness, we've got place like this to breathe
i'll, for feel as if was shut up in brick
oven for a slow, bake, don't your
'Ye-yes,' half sobbed Tessie, who couldn't
explain the sore want of her tender little
heart. ''and my nose hurts dreadfully. Shut
the window, Trix-Aunt Prue doesn't like it
open-and let's go to bed
Let me help you to take off your dress,
miss" interposed Dorcas. 81 can't get your
wrappers until your trunks come"
And Tessie submitted passively to Dorcas'
attention, while Irix, throwing hat and para
sol in different directions, flung herself into
the middle of the great four-post bed, regard
less OF snowy comterpane and ruffied pillow
cases.
Does anybody live here but Aunt Prue?"
she asked, clasping both hands over her head.
and idly watching Dorcas' deft movements
around the room, that, seen by the sunlight
looked much more cheerful and comfortable,
for the big walnut tree, which grew in the
back yard waved its green boughs in one win
dow, and the ivy-draped tower of an old
church could be seen outlined against the
blue summsr sky through the other
Half of the house is kept closed up" an
swered Dorcas, evasvely.
"The whole of it seems pretty well closed
up today said Trix. "Is there no one here
but Aunt Prue? | mean no family"
mo, MISS said Dorcas putting her thin
lips together and settling Tessie among the
pillows as if she were wax doll. There's
company, of course, now and then, but we've
no family, | suppose things will change, now
that you two young ladies are here"
81 hone they will" said Trix, fervently
"for if I've got to stay shut up in a dark
house with Aunt Prue all the rest of my life
I'd rather 90 to the penitentiary at once
Tesse, don't lie straight that way as if you
were dead. Roll over and be comfortable"
Can | do anything more for you young
ladies now?" continued Dorcas, in her low,
your room, and your trunks will be sent up i'm
mediately. Miss Talbot dimes at five, and the
dressing bell rings precisely at half-past four"
Dimes? Oh, good gracious! haven't you
had dinner YETI" exclaimed Trix, in dismay.
81 am not going to dress up any more, that's
certain No, we don't want anything more
today; we're tired and sick and sleepy, and
would just like to be let alone"
And as Dorcas, with low Every WELL
locked and bolted the door, and then, Ansing
herself down among the pillows again, drew
Tesse's little pale face to her breast,