Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-10-23

made through blue door with brass
knocker. We had lived In our own
little cottage for three weeks and had
seen no one go out or In.
There must be some other en-
trance" Julia said.
but there isn't" declared posi-
lively.
And they can't be away" said
Julia. because we can see lights In
the tower window"
YES" l said. land the rural dcliv-
cry carrier unlocks the box and takes
out the mail every morning. so there
must be some one who writes the let
ters."
We'll. I'll ask him." said Julia
promptly.
But the mail man knew nothing. 81
just take out the letters" he said.
land put the mail in. hut never see
a soul"
How are the letters addressed ?
Surely you must know whether man
or woman Is shut up there"
"No'm." the man protested stolidly;
''the letters just say Marion Fuller
neither Miss nor Madam nor Mr.
"Of course it's n woman" / said
when the carrier had gone.
Why" Julia asked.
Because man would have to cook
for himself. and all that
And no man who could help 1t
would want that name. Think OF a
man named Marion"
I'm thinking of one named jack" /
said regretfully. IF he were only
here. Julia"
Then Julia turned on me wrath
fully. That's always the way" she
said. mo matter what try to say you
always come back to Jack You en-
gagged people always harp on one
string"
Silence reigned for a moment. and
then to break the ice began. I'm GO
ing 10 watch the blue door after dark"
How can you watch anything after
dark?"
ITS moonlight" I reminded her,
''and | could certainly see the outline
of any one who came out"
That night as l sat on the porch
shifted. Julia" said solemnly, do
l smell onions?'
Julia's aristocratic nose was ele-
waited. Onions 1t is" she said.
They are In delicious combina.
ton with something" | said. 1T is
the nearest thing to a fish chowder
that | have known since the days of
shore dinners"
"Chowder:" Julia demanded. Where
would they get their fish,
Cath EN-" | said briefly. ANY one
who would drop a line from that
stone wall on the other side could fish
10 the river"
Then you think:" Julia questi oned.
IL think that if II Is the fragrance
Of fish chowder that Is being waited
toward us on the evening air the
tenant behind the blue door Is a man. $
And even as | spoke the blue door
opened. and young man came forth
carrying steaming dish.
well. OF all things" said Julia un.
der her breath
The young man came up the steps.
IL am your next door neighbor." he
announced. land | thought that this
chowder might be my introduction.
II Is a most exclusive recipe. which |
have shared with only one friend.
Jack Carson"
sat up straight. Jack Carson"
exclaimed. why, he is--he Isl
1.-The man you are engaged to-ex-
actly." said the young man with the
chowder This morning ] had let
ter from him saying that you were
somewhere In the neighborhood.
knew from the description that you
were the young ladies next door. and
| felt that his letter and this chowder
would constitute n sufficient introduc.
ton. and so have presented myself
and he handed me Jacks letter. with
a bow.
And while read It ! heard Julia
say. 80 you are Marion FullerT'
"Yes."
II thought II was a girl" Julia muir
INJURED. dimpling and sparkling. The
name Is $3.50 feminine"
But now that you have seen mer
he questioned.
~ shall not think OF you-at ALL" she
said.
stay me with chowder." he plead
ed. Comfort me with He held
the dish out toward me. you'll &C
cept II. won't your"
Indeed | WILL" I said promptly
"and you shall tell me how you came
10 make a Robinson Crusoe Of yourself
behind the blue door,"
led the way to our little dining
room.
Our coffee Is ready" ! said. land
Julia made the rolls with her own fail
hands,"
The chowder was delicious. and the
big man at the head OF the table serv
ed II with lavish hand.