Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-09

Deity.
81 thought that would be a little
too familiar to begin WITH" said the
dear woman. with perfectly angelic
smile and a pleasant American accent
with rather more roll Of the ''r' than
I'd heard In the east "But you shall
be called just what you like best my
dear"
"Shall 1? Then should like you to
call me Betty" said l, shaking hands
hard with Slr. Brett's Cousin Fanny,
and my heart warming to her for her
own sake as well as his. There was q
good smell about her Of linen dried on
the grass and Of freshly baked cake.
l can never smell those smells, I know.
without remembering her.
She smiled and pressed my hand.
"why. you are just like an American
girl, my dear" she exclaimed. "Not a
bit stiff and English, like we supposed
you would be- We all thought we were
going to be afraid Of you, but ! guess
we won't, will we, Patty and ldeY'
saw that l was expected to take
this as an introduction. I smiled and
bowed to the two girls. and when they
put out their hands put mine out too
"Tm very happy to know yOu," said
Patty, the pretty red haired one.
How do you do" inquired Ide. the
one with the fringe.
PonafoI thof %hav tpucf hnth hG
Mrs. Trowbridge's daughters, but she
continued the ceremony Of presenta.
ton by saying:
Patty is Miss Pinkerton. and Ide
is Miss Jay. They generally stay with
Mr.. Trowbridge and me pretty nearly
all the year round. Patty takes mu'
sic lessons in Arcona twice q week
and keeps up her other studies, and
Ide helps me look after the house and
the milk. should have hard work to
get along without either one Of them,
it seems to me, and expect shall be
feeling just the same way about you
before you leave US. Here comes Mr..
Trowbridge now. See, Cousin Jim.
here comes your Cousin Hezekiah.
He's been hiving a swarm Of bees.
That's why he's got that mosquito net
veil around his hat. Something like
your automobile one, Lady Betty"
A man Of fifty or more. In white duck
trousers and q blush shirt with q
turned down collar little open at the
neck. was coming toward the house
from the direction Of the beehive col
ony. He had on no coat-in fact, ]
think a gray linen thing hanging over
a wooden rocking chair on the veran.
da must have been his. His battered
straw hat, with the mosquito net
veil" which Mrs. Trowbridge had
mentioned, was on the back Of his
head, and when he saw US he snatch
ed it off and waved it as his wife had
waved her spoon and Ide her towel.
From q distance he looked just an or
dinary farmer, but when he came near
enough for me to make out his fea-
lures l saw that he was very far from
ordinary. He had splendid head. the
head Of statesman, and his face was
clear and intellectual, with keen, kind
eyes.
He shook hands, too, with me and
Mr.. Brett, but first he wiped some
honey from his fingers on the side OF
his trousers. AS he did 1t, 1t was a
dignified and laudable act There was
no reason why he should have been
glad to see me. perfect stranger. but
he seemed to be so honestly pleased
that 1t warmed my heart, and made
me feel already at home in the sweet,
old, red brick farmhouse. which re-
minded me. in its soft colors, Of a great
bunch Of wall flowers.
81 reckon we're going to be real good
friends" said he. III we'd known just
how you was coming. jim. Id have
liked to meet you and her little lady
ship-the first ladyship we've had In
these parts. You didn't give us any
Idea, though. and now ! see why. But
look here. mother. you might have
had the front door open. I'm afraid
the young lady from England will
think we're mighty informal"
81 shouldn't wonder II that's just
about what she'll like to think. father"
said Mrs. Trowbridge. with her smile
that was so motherly and friendly at
the same time. Miss Woodburn
would have been over to see you II she
could: she was just ready to jump for
Joy when Patty ran across to tell her
you were coming. but Mis- Randall Is
pretty sick. and Sally felt she couldn't
leave her yet awhile. So she sent you
her love. and she'll be along the minute
she can git away"
Just for an instant II struck me as
odd to hear this simple farm woman
in her straight print calmly calling my
charming. dainty friend Sally" as II
there could be no shadow Of doubt In
any ones mind of their perfect social
equality. But In another second l
could have boxed my own ears for my
denseness and snobbish stupidity. Al
ready-even in these few ninutes-I
was beginning family to understand
some of the points" at which Mr..
Brett had hinted.
Maybe you'd like to go and have Z
look at your room." went on Mrs.
Trowbridge. Patty and Ide have
picked you some flowers, and l hope
you'll find everything right
ION, Mis- TrowDridge. do let me
take her." exclaimed Patty.
"Me tool" cried Ide.
They're just like children. ! guess
we'll have to hunOr them this once"
laughed Mr.. Brett's Cousin Fanny.
When smiled at Patty, she cud-
died her arm around me, and then lde
promptly did the same. Thus inter.
laced the procession moved into the
house
The door of the veranda opens Into
q cozy sitting room. There Is moth
Ing which you could point out as
pretty In the furnishing. and decoration
there Is none, but the room has de-
liclous, welcoming look and makes you
want to live In 1t.
What a nice room I exclaimed to
the girls, pausing for a glance around.
They looked surprised.
"Do you think soT' asked Patty
1--WE were afraid maybe you wouldn't
The things you're used to must be a
good deal handsomer Everylhing's SO
old here"
81 love old things" said |. "Our house
ie..aa ic ..a... old nd 4 u-auId u 4