Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-18

daily. I'm so glad she Is coming. have
always liked her for her kindness to you
at Bar Harbor the summer Aunt Mary
was 50 H.
You'll like her still more when you sec
her." said.
She is the dearest thing! She had an
immense social success. too-the most
beautiful gowns and the greatest string OF
admirers-now. papa, you needn't laugh!
1t was all the nicer of her to take me out
driving and to come and sit with Aunt
Mary when every one was running after
her.
II am only afraid 1t will be dull for her
here" mamma went on, for We have posi-
lively no society. you know"
"Oh, she won't mind that! She loves to
read and take long walks. She's very in
tellectual and has lots of resources. That
summer at Bar Harbor she was reading
on sociology, remember, and she and DR..
Poponoff. that young Russian refugee who
was so Nonized. used to have great dis
cussions and take long walks together. OF
course. they had a great deal in common.
but still. I'm sure she will enjoy being
her,
ASK the student to tea" papa suggest
porch-and settling his weight in his arm
chair. He weighs over 200.
"Oh. I'm afraid that wouldn't do at all.''
i cried. then stopped with q beating
heart. on the very verge Of revealing the
her letter In my hand.
Won't dor papa inquired. in mock sur
prise. Whats the matter with the girl ?
Don't all women adore a parson?"
I ought to have said in the beginning
that we live Just halfway between the
fort-and the theological seminary Twixt
scylla ana charybdis," papa says. for a
man with daughter"
Consequently. we do see q good deal of
the students at the seminary. who hold
services at the crossroads near Us, and
take tea and make calls all around the
neighborhood. You see. they have to
practice making parish calls.
To be quite frank, don't care much for
clergymen. outside of the pulpit mean
young ones-and ! have always admired
soldiers immensely, at a distance, for I
never knew a single one till Portia came.
That's just the way things go!
But to return to Portals letter and the
paragraph which made me so uncomfort-
allie:
IT think owe 1t to our friendship, Con-
stance" she wrote. ito tell you that my
religious views have changed greatly in
the past two years. Frankly. am ag-
nostic on all questions Of that nature"
There!
And think OF all those students, And of
mamma-the stanchest Of churchwomen!
/ felt like a criminal all the time she
was planning SO kindly for Portals pleas
ure. and as soon as she went into the
house I explained matters to papa.
Papa" I said, hurriedly, II didn't want
to mention 1t before mamma. because it
would just worry her, and. besides. I was
afraid 1t might prejudice her against Por-
tia. Then, there are the students! II she
should get into any argument with them.
1t would be dreadful! You know how
mamma would feel! Don't you remember
the time DR.. Barton quoted Huxley to
that Mr.. Austin who used to be at the
seminary? 1t was one evening when they
were here at tea"
Papa exploded with laughter
Yes. Young Barton" he repeated. still
shaking. He and Austin came near tear
ing each other to bits. didn't they? 1t
would have taken a Solomon to decide
who got the better Of tho other in that
argument. Between you and me. girl.
hadn't heard so much fool talk in years
and I've heard a lot in my time"
Papa Is a lawyer and has q great. though
generally good-humored. contempt for H.
logical minds.
friend Portia?" he inquired. taking his
pipe from his mouth. stick to business
and let's get to the bottom Of this thing"
why. Portia has just written me that
she has become-an agnostic! And there
are all the students. as I say-almost the
only men she will meet! OF course. with
her views, you can easily see how dis
agreeable II will be for her."
Papa laughed long and loud. Then
Even Marvin?' he said. Such q good
looking chap as Marvin? Too bad! Too
bad.'
Then he laughed again.
How old is Miss Portia?" he asked.
"Twenty-one." replied.
Had the measles?" he went on, land
the whooping cough?"
Ci course saw what he meant.
OH said. a little bit offended. TITS
quite serious, I assure you. Portia is very
intellectual. She stood way up in her
class. especially in philosophy. She's really
a profound thinker"
We'll" said papa, with a sober face,
I'D have the students to tea. Don't tell
your mother about your friends incendiary
Views. I'll keep the peace"
Papa" I pleaded. now you will; won't
you: You know you just egged on Mr..
A-stih and DR.. Barton both"
II egg any mortal on?'' he said. In an
injured tone.
Then he kissed me.
mo. no. little GIRL he said. in his kind
est voice. have a happy time. The old
man likes his little 1oke-that's all-but
he'll restrain himself"
When Portia came she was more be-
w:lderins than ever. She is just tearing
beauty: tall and 1.-the. with the sweetest.
softest black eyes. masses of auburn hair
and a complexion like rose leaves.
And just as dear and sweet as ever!
Mamma fell In love with her at first sight.
Well, things went beautifully.
At the table nobody mentioned person