The Democratic advocate., 1909-09-24
Through
The Little Blue
Door
The Dedication Tha. Marion
Wrote FOR the Rev BOOK
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR
Copyright, 1903. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
E.FV1e1V0HDVH4W4


across the way, and entrance was
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" ] said. land the rural deliv.
cry carrier unlocks the box and takes
out the mail every morning, so there
must be some one who writes the let
ters"
''WeI, I'll ask him." said Julia
promptly.
But the mail man knew nothing. ~
just take out the letters" he said,
"and put the mail in, but I never see
a soul"
How are the letters addressed? E?
Surely you must know whether man
or a woman is shut up there"
"No'm," the man protested stolidly;
'the letters just say Marion Fuller
neither Miss noe Madam nor Mr."
"of course It's a woman" said
when the carrier had gone.
'WhyT Julia asked.
Because man would have 60 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 regretfulIy "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 sny you
always come back to Jack. You en-.
gagged people always harp on one
string"
Silence reigned for n moment. and
then to break the ice began, Pm GO
ing 10 watch the blue door after dark. ]"
How can you watch anything after
darkT'
IT'S moonlight" | reminded her,
'nnd ! could certainly see the outline
of amy one who came out"
That night as | sat on the porch |
shifted "Julia," | said solemniy, do
] smell onionsg'
Juia's arIstocratic nose was ole-
vated. onions II Is" she said.
They are 10 delicious comblna-
lion with something" | said. at is
the nearest thing TO fsh chowder
that ! have known since the. days Of
shore dinners"
"ChowderT Julia demanded. "where
would they get their GshT'
Cath EN-" said briefly. ANY one
who would drop a line from that
stone wall on the other side could fish
In the river"
Then you thinkT Julia questl oned.
81 think that II 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 a 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, ''and ! thought that this
chowder might be my introduction.
1t is most exclusive recipe, which /
have shared with only one friend.
Jack Carson"
sat up straight. Jack CarsonT' l
exclaimed. why, he is-he is''--
'The man you fre engaged to--cx-
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 sufficient introduc-
tion. and SO | have presented myself" !"
aud he handed me Jacks letter, with
bow.
And while | read II heard Julia
say. $50 you are Marion Fullerg
Yes"
Il thought II was a girl" Julin muir
INJURED. dimpling and sparkling. sThe
name IL $3.50 feminine"
But now that you have seen me?'
he questioned.
II shall not think of you-at aIl." she
said.
stay me with chowder," he plead.
ed Comfort me with He held
the dish out toward me. you'll ac-
cept it, won't your
Indeed | WILL" I said promptly.
''and you shall tell me how you came
TO make Robinson Crusoe of yourself
behind the blue door"
led the wRY to our little dining
room.
Our coffee is ready" ! said, "and
Julia made the rolls with her own fair
hands"
The chowder was delicious. and the
big man at the head of the table serv-
ed 1t with lavish hand.
That was the beginning OF our good
fellowship. but 1t was three weeks be
fore Marion confessed why he had
shut himself up behind the blue door,
and IN those weeks he had fallen hope.
lessly In love with Julia.
But why" she insisted one night
as we all sat in the moonlight, "did
you shut yourself up behind the blue
door?"
Il was writing book, and wanted
to be absolutely alone. The publishers
had insisted that | finish It by Octo
ber."