Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

month. Then what do you think Ann Maria
did,"
I'm sure don't know
She said Ellen had left the key under the
blind and she guessed she would just go in
and make herself at home She knew that was
| what Ellen would want her to do. Do you
know how long Ellen is to be in Worcester"
mo, / don't" gasped Mrs. Ebenezer.
That woman has gone to living in Ellen
Wise's house, using all her things"
Yes, she has, said Mrs. Sam Adds. when
| came past tonight | saw Ann Maria sitting
beside the window l guess she was reading.
She had Ellens lamp lighted, and looked as
if she lived there. l think she'll stay week.
at the very least"
Mrs. Sam Adds right. Ann Maria
Hazen did stay week. She subsisted partly
upon donations of food from friends and
neighbors. partly upon her own purchases
She kept Ellen's stoves going, she cooked. she
ate. she slept in Eens pretty guest chamber.
and made herself entirely at home. She was
invited out to tea several times; she went to
church; she attended meeting of the Woman S
Club, and finally left for home.
That evening Mrs. Ebenezer in her
sitting room reading the paper, when Ellen
Wise. wearing her gray shawl and fascinator,
came in.
We'll. declared" said Mrs. Ebenezer. So
you are home again"
Mrs. Ebenezer stared at her. " Ellen Wse!'
Sne CRED w nat on edrtn the
You look as if you had been through fit of
sickness. She unpinned Ellens shawl and
united her feecy hood as she spoke. Here,
sit down in this chair by the register. How
you shake! Have you got chilli"
81 guess not" chartered Ellen.
when did you get home from Worcester"
There was pause. Then Ellen spoke. 4" |
haven't been there, she said IN faint voice.
Haven't been to Worcester"
mo"
why. where have you been' You have
been away"
There was another pause. Then Ellen
Strengthened her little thin body and looked
at the other woman with a curious expression.
1t was compounded of nobleness. of shame
and a species of defiance Il have been in
the Larrabee house next door," said she.
Ellen Wise!'
Yes, l know | have been awfully wicked
That night when | went away from here |
wrote that notice, and tied it on my door
Then l took some bedding and some eatables
Il thought Ann Maria would turn round and
go home; but | wanted to be the safe side,
and went over there. l had the key of the
Larrabee house. 1t was left with me in case
anybody wanted to look at it to rent. The
Shows had left their old kitchen stove, and the
bin was quarter full of coal. There's bed
stead in the bed room out of the sitting room,
and | made up my bed.
You haven't stayed there ever SINGER"
eyes, with the cat. You know the Shows
left their cat. He had fit day before yester-
day"
Ellen Wise! However did You manager"
81 managed. l kept the fire going. l had
to watch and see when Ann Maria went out,
so | could sneak over and get some flour and
potatoes and things. Once she almost caught
me. l was up in my chamber getting my
warm flannel wrapper. when | heard her come
in. l had to hide in the closet for almost an
hour till she went out again. That was last
Thursday night. l thought she had gone
somewhere to tea and wouldn't be back: but
she didn't stay long. l could smell the cream
toast she was making, and she got out jar
of my peach preserve. After she had gone to
evening meeting | got away safely"