The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-26
INTO THE
TNNERMOSTI
BY ANNIE L. MUzzEY
OoooooooooooooOooooO
(copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

their new house-a tent-like structure |
In close proximity to the Queen Anne |
cottage of Mrs. Laura Mortimer Law
renee, who had watched the develop !
ment of the unpretentious building
with chagrin and disdain.
Curious, isn't it?" she remarked to
her son Hugh, with scornful eye on
the household goods unloading at her
neighbours door. VERY curious that
poor people cannot have the sense to
perceive the folly of an attempt to set
themselves up as owners Of real es-
tate, when the effort to do 80 results
in an ugly blot, offensive to the refined
and cultivated taste Of the beholder."
Having returned the present eve
ming from a years absence abroad,
this was the young mans first outlook
on nelghborhood changes.
why, really, do you know that
think that rather picturesque affair
on the whole?" he resumed, observing
critically, for the first time, the object
of his mothers contemptuous remark.
Hugh leaned forward, his languid
eyes opening wide with sudden inter-
est as a girl with mist of sunny
hair blowing back against the broad
black brim of the hat framing her hap
by face, ran out and, catching some
article from the household furnishings
unladen at the door, disappeared like
fash Of light within.
"Ah!" he breathed. "Who are these
people, mother?" he questioned, pres
emily, vaihly waiting for reappear-
ance Of the figure which had attracted
his attention Have you made their
acquaintance?
'1? No, indeed" was the digni6ed
response. Mrs. Thompson, however,
has volunteered to explain to me that
they are eminently respectable. The
father Is a hard-working, but imprac-
teal sort of person, always dream
ing out inventions that never meet
with adoption the eldest and only
son is carpenter aspiring to become
an architect; one of the daughters Is
a wood carver and the other gradu-
ate of the cooking school, and en-
ployed at very high prices by some OF
our first families to prepare fancy
dishes for special occasions, going to
their houses like a common servant,
Think Of that And the whole family
contributing, am told, to the erection
of this uncivilized structure, which
appears to be the first property they
have ever possessed"
"A laudable enterprise" remarked
Hugh Lawrence.
1t was not long before Hugh was
on very sociable terms with his new
neighbors, whom, however, his mother
still ignored. In every member OF
the family he found genial and IN
teresting companion, though he was
unable to approach Miss Ethel In the
friendly relations already established
with the frank, brotherly Sibyl.
True, Ethel was entertaining and re
sponsive in matter-of-fact imperson
al way, but while the dark-haired
Sibyl would talk of herself as frank
ly and freely as of any other interest
ing topic, Ethel would withdraw with
a touch-me-not air, and remain icily
uncommunicative whenever he ven
tured to breach the subject of per
sonal feelings and affairs.
Even more than by this repellant
quality Lawrence was piqued by the
girls failure to recognize him outside
her own house. Time and again ht
had met her upon the street and she
had given no token whatever of &C
quaintanceship with him; though, per
haps only the previous evening he ha(
by her own fireside talked with her o
art, science, literature and kindred
subjects with which she was familiar
with sympathetic interchange o
sentiment which had seemed to hin
to constitute bond of friendship
This fact annoyed him more than h,
felt was reasonable. He was vexet
with his own chagrin.
His inward resentment Of such rude
ness eliminated one day when, ar
preaching his mothers house after
morning walk, he saw Just nearing
side gate, the slight, erect figure 0
Miss Ethel, attired in plain stui
gown, its straight length relieved by
white breadth Of apron, and her sum
tendrils of hair pushed under dc
mure cap that encircled her head no
exactly like the aureole Of a saint
He attempted to speak to her, but sh
passed ON into the servants entranc
with scarcely perceptible bow.
Discounted, Lawrence wheeled an
walked around to his usual entrance
For what purpose is Miss Harlan
In your kitchen?" he asked hi
mother.
BLESS you! to make one of her il
Irritable desserts. She is all the rage
don't you know; and to be in fashio
we must employ her when she wi
condescend to favor us, though he
prices are as exquisite as her dishes.
Mother, the young lady is not
come here again In such capacity,
said Hugh with authority. Don't argu
with me, mother" he added, forestal
ing the surprised exclamation ths
was coming,
When Lawrence called on Miss Ha
land that evening she was found |
the summer quarter sitting under
rosetinted lamp shade that gave (
her fair face and soft white gown tn
pink glow of the dawn. She gave hil
cordial welcome.
Are you alone?" he asked.
Eyes, for little" she said. 81 al
forbidden by the powers In comman