Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-11-26

| pastor
And where is Amelia?" he asked.
"She will be down presently" said
! the elder Miss Philbin. "She had a
letter to write to our Aunt Charlotte"
Mr.. Joel Barnes looked at the hair
cloth sofa and took chair.
81 trust you have brought an ap-
petite with you. Mr.. Tinkleton," he
said. 81 always bring an appetite to
this house. 1t is one Of my least OBJ
| jectionable habits"
The elder Miss Philbin looked at
| Mr. Tinkleton.
"The members Of our profession"
said Mr.. Tinkleton. ARE popularity sup
posed to be blessed with excellent ap-
petites at all tines"
Good" said Joel Barnes. "And
there isn't a better place to bring
case of gnawing hunger than this cosy
| home. know what am saying. How
long have been coming here to din
ner?"
He looked at the older Miss Philbin
/ and the older Miss Philbn looked at
Mr. Tinkleton.
1T must be more than a dozen
years." she answered.
More than a dozen years" said
| Joel Barnes. Think of that"
THE time has flown fast" ventured
Mr.. Tinkleton.
Indeed it has. 1t flies faster in the
/ Philbin home than anywhere else.
| fancy" said Mr.. Barnes. And leaves
| fewer traces" And he bowed in such
a courtly way to the older Miss Phil
| bin that the red spots warmed her
| cheeks again. 81 want you TO know.
Mr.. Tinkleton. that Miss Philbin, this
Miss Philbin, is responsible for the
hospitable board. 1t Is Miss Philbin
here who knows what is good for
trusting man. There is no trouble
about saying grace at her table, Mr..
Tinkleton. Her grace is Grace, you
understand
And he laughed pleasantly.
"Mr. Barnes is n blunt fatterer.
Mr.. Tinkleton," said the older Miss
Philbin. but she looked much pleased.
81 have not been in Aurora long.
/ said the young pastor. but I'm quite
sure Mr.. Barnes bears an enviable
reputation for veracity.'
"T guess that settles the lattery
| ci.rge." said Nr. Barnes with another
L. Oh.
~ have long noticed certain free
masonry among men" persisted the
oder Miss Philbin. that seems to i'm.
rol them 70 stand together. You have
D. a,'y made me nervous with your
an. -C.nner remarks. must ask you
10 excuse me for a moment or two
7 want to assure myself that all goes
vel. in the kitchen"
she bowed 70 the gentlemen and
gracefully made her exit.
a charming lady" said Joel Barnes
with little sigh. "She makes every.
body feel so. comfortable. She has
some old-fashioned ideas. but they
only make her appear the more
charming. Have you seen her Sis
ter?"
Mr.. Tinkleton had not met the
Younger Miss Philbin.
She is quite different in a way
Mr.. Barnes explained. Grace loves
responsibility; Amelia waves it aside.
| Grace is the head OF the household;
Amelia is the spoiled child-which
SIZE isn't. OF course. It's just the way
| that Grace regards her.
For moment Mr. Tinkleton
thought of saying. And how do you
Teeard herr" but, OF course, he didn't
| put il in words.
Mr.. Tinkleton liked Joel Barnes
even II he had proved delayer where
| matrimony was concerned.
You are. am led to believe an
old friend OF the family?" he said.
"One of the oldest" Joel Barnes
responded. 81 played marbles ana
tag with the girls when | was boy.
Our families lived side by side. Iheir
father trusted ne when ! grew up.
was in his bank for a time. When
Grace has need OF financial adviser
she turns to me"
lie paused. There was a rustling on
the stair. and then the younger MISS
philbin entered the room.
She was very much like her sister;
slender, brown-haired. graceful. bn'
she lacked the gentle gravity OF the
older Miss Philbin. she laughed often
er and had a sprightly manner tha'
differed from her sisters deliberate
movements.
She greeted Joel Barnes with cor
dial handshake and was pleased 70
see the young pastor. and seemed de'
lightfully easy and unaffected.
i And from Mr.. Tinkleton's point ol
view the slowness Of Joel Barnes was
J still more unaccountable.
They were chatting merrily wher
the older Miss Phllbin entered the
room. She looked at the little grouI
approvingly.
Then she drew a quick breath.
"Our dinner will soon be served
she said. "but before it is announced
I want TO be humored in little fancy
] that has suddenly come to me.
, Then all looked at her and notec
4 her flushed cheeks and shining eyes
r "You have but to name It, sale
r Joel Barnes
D 1T is a fancy that is all my own
D ,he older Miss Philbin went on brave
ly. TT has suddenly become very
> dear to me. | viii tell you what IL II
az abruptly AS J know how. want
with your help. to turn this ordlnaf!
dinner OF ours into wedding least
Il A sudden silence followed.
The young pastor looked flushed.
mo immediate intention, Mr.
q | Barnes"
= Joel Barnes restless eyes turned
back to the older Miss Philbin.
" 1T appears" he said slowly. tina
am the only man present who cal
. be of service to you in carrying on
your design"
The older Miss PhIlbin gave anothe
little gasp.
"Yes." she answered In such lo'
tone that he scarcely heard her.