The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-04-26
A LONG-DISTANCE
BLOW,
By Elizabeth Lincoln Gould.


Mrs. Potter looked up from her sew
ing with an expression OF mingled
anxiety and triumph on her face as
Mr.. Potter came into the room one
June afternoon.
Your cousin Maria has gone, she
said, slowly. She took the early
train, right after luncheon.
You didn't-nothing has been said
or done to offend her, l know said
Mr.. Potter, Loyalty, but what on earth
started her Didn't we gather that
she-er-proposed to be with us for
some time longer?"
Mrs. Potter nodded and smiled.
'sShe meant to stay until after Edith
Carriers wedding, two weeks from TO-
day, she said, but her plans changed
suddenly. Of course l haven't SAID
one word to let her know we really
needed our guest-room, though It's
been hard not to do it.
you've been mighty kind to her,
poor old Maria, said Mr.. Potter APP
preciatively.
But it was the telephone that sent
her of" continued his wife. NOW
don't stand around looking worried,
James. Sit down comfortably in your
own chair and I'll tell you all about
it.
"Of course you know, James, that
agree with you there never was a bet
ter woman than your cousin Maria,
and YOU agree with me that if she
weren't quite so helpful and competent
we should enjoy her visits a great
deal more than we do now"
Mr.. Potter smiled ruefully.
There's never been any use in
telling you how provoked it makes
Ethel to have your cousin Maria take
tucks in her skirts when she decides
I've let the dressmaker have her own
way too much and make them too
long. There's nothing to be gained by
telling you what fearful times I've had
with Ned when your cousin Maria has
said in his hearing that twenty-five
cents a week was more than enough
for little boy Of his age to spend;
and I'm sure I'd scorn to mention the
annoyance I've felt over her rearrang-
ing the furniture and the plants and
everything.
"But know have sometimes spok-
en- of the neighbors' feelings when
she's told them how to economic and
do their hair, and make home happy.
They've been cautious, because they
know she's as good as gold and it's
Just her way, but they have been IT.
ritated James, and I've heard of it.
well, l think her greatest comfort,
really. has been Edith Carter She
has said a hundred times that she
only hoped our Ethel might develop
such a lovely character as Edith's.
which isn't at all likely, for Ethel is
$50 outspoken and Edith slides along
without ever letting you know wheth-
er she likes things or not; she has
that sweet, apparently yielding DISPOSE
tfon. say apparently, James, because
ever since Edith became engaged to
that ranchman, that none of the fam
fly really care for, I've felt that under
meath she has a will of iron"
{ Mrs. Potter paused for breath. but
as her husband opened his mouth to
speak, she sped on
"Of course your cousin Maria was
determined to stay here to see that
Young man, find out whether she ap-
proved of him, and give him some
sound advice as to the care of Edith,
whom she considers very delicate She
saws how Edith's parents can be so
Hind as to think she's strong is be-
vond her; though when you realize
how she can shop all the morning
NAV tennis all the afternoon and dance
all the evening, it isn't strange to
me.
your cousin Maria told Edith what
she should do, and of course Edith
lust smiled in that pretty way of hers
and said, Dear Miss Maria half un.
der her breath Anybody would have
thought she was delighted. I've told
Maria all / could about the young
man-to.d her he was big and breezy
and had contagious smile and an in
fictitious augh, and a determined chin.
hut nothing | could say satisfied her
"You remember he was expected
next MONDAY? This is Thursday. Your
cousin Maria was over at the Carriers
YESTERDAY afternoon. and she told me
that if today proved fair the whole
family were going down to Satv;llc