Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-10-16

Ts-tssf-s-s-i-s-!.-i-!::-
1t was so different from the usual
summer boarding place that Denton
stopped short and eyed doubtfully the
wide lawn. the massive stone house
and the garden haming with June
roses.
He even looked at the great mastifr
that sauntered toward him with a sus.
picious eye
Look here. old fellow" he said, ARE
you In a fairy tale. or Is this just an
everyday fact?"
Duke. come here" called a clear
voice. and the dog bounded back to
the porch.
Denton followed him.
Are you the princessY' he asked Of
the owner OF the clear voice.
The girl flushed and stared.
II don't understand she STAN
mered.
Denton laughed. 81 beg pardon"
he apologized, ''for boring you with
my fancies. But this place Is 80 beau
tiful that i thought 1 had stepped out
OF real life into fairyland and that the
dog was the monster that guarded the
gate and that you were the enchanted
princess"
The girls eyes twinkled 'I'm not
| a princess" she told him. "I'm your
landlady."
Something Of a disappointment crept
into Denton's expression.
Then you are Mrs. Carter?' he haz-
arded.
Miss Carter" she corrected, and
he looked relieved. I'm the letter that
wrote you i signed myself Mehita-
bel Carter. and / suppose you thought
i had gray hairs and wrinkles"
THE name did suggest them" he
unused, watching her sparkling face.
Every one around here calls me
Belle" she explained. But OF course
when one writes letters to prospective
boarders one realizes that dignified
name Is an asset"
Certainly" he agreed and settled
back In his chair. content to listen and
look.
But his hostess was more energetic.
I'll show you your ROOM" she said
and led the way through the spacious
hall and up the stairs to the second
story.
When Denton came down a little
later and found bis landlady' walking
In the rose garden he said to her:
you needn't tell me- This Is an en-
chanted castle. Who ever heard OF
white bathtubs and nickel trimmings
and pond lily friezes and Circassian
walnut furniture for $40 a weekY'
A little anxious frown burrowed Miss
Carter's forehead. IL was afraid I
was charging too much" she said.
"You see. you are my first boarder."
1t appeared on further conversation
that there we're to be six other board
ers. and they were to arrive at T:sO.
Five of them are maiden ladies'"
Miss Carter explained, "and / told
them they might bring their cats and
parrots''-
"And the other oner Denton de-
manded-
lis man." said Miss Carter. "and
he wants 70 bring his automobile"
Denton gazed pensively across the
garden toward the purple hills. Alas"
he sighed. 'and / brought only u type
writer The automobile Is the dragon
that l must STAY"
She stifrened little at that.S
II don't think I quite understand"
she said.
"Of course not" Denton agreed quite
cheerfuliy, "as a writer of stories /
deal much In metaphor II isn't to be
expected that you would understand.
But you will-some day"
He switched 70 other topics and
learned that the beautiful house. with
Its beautiful furniture, had been the
girls summer home. That the failure
or her father In business and his abb
sence to Ill a position In another city
made her decide that the house must
support itself or be sold. So she had
advertised for boarders, and. with two
old and trusted servants. She was 60
ing to make Il pay.
We raise all OF our vegetables" she
eonfided. "and we have our cows and
make butter. and there are plenty of
chickens and eggs
Don't say any more" Denton
begged. Il am hungry enough as II Is
without hearing OF real milk and but
ter and eggs"
She laughed. "The train "a due
now" she said: las soon as the other
bcarders get here we will have sup
per-"
contrary to Denton's expectations.
the six old maids proved to be delight
tui company. Three Of them were
teachers. one OF them wrote for the
magazines. one. having a private for
tune. was something OF a globe trot-
ter. and the sixth, being domestically
inclined. had brought the cat ana par
rot
The one man was the object OF Dem
tons special observation. His name
wss Nesseirode
He makes me think OF pudding" %.
Denton remarked to Miss Carter.
Il don't think he looks that way sat
all" Miss Carter said Indignantly. ct
think he Is very handsome, if he isi
stout"
oh. I don't mean his looks" Den
ton remarked resignedly. '.but his
name"
Nesselrode. however. proved TO be
very good company. and 1t became
quite matter OF course that the two
men should spin through the country
every morning IN the big motor car.
In the afternoon Nesselrode always
took Miss Carter, and fin the back seat
he packed two and sometimes three OF