The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-06


 "Oh, it's only some old saintl thought 1t wal Sothern as Romeo of course" she n1urrnured in : disappointed tone; and about to explore further when the sound of silk whispering on the polished stairs sent her flying back to her seat just in tim. to rise from an expectant pose as Miss Fletcher entered and advanced smiling with outstretchet hand.
 She tall woman overlapping her vi.i.o, by head, and her deeper coioring as we'll as the rich mellow tones which made her conventional greeting almost caressing seemed to add to her al, of gentle authority
 I am very happy to you. Mrs Witherby,' she said.
 'You might. say at last" n,urnured that ladv deprecatingiy; "I. wouldn't blame you I meant to have called on you the very first of the season. but don's know how it is there's always SO much to do. what with the housekeeping-everyone knows what that is in the country where servants simply laugh you to scorn-and the Clio Club-we've taken Russia this year, and the names alone are enough to drive you distracted. And there's the Babies Hospital: we've got to raise thousand dollars this month if we don't want to lose another thousand that's been offered to us-you know that horrid gie-Rockefeller way-and we're about at OUT wits end We've had lawn parties until every one is tired of them that Dick says we'll never need another Keep off the Grass sign in Rivergrove as long as the town exists And-and we thought per haps!
 You thought perhaps I might help you outr' broke in Miss Fletcher, filling the breathIess pause and smiling genally.
 "It would be perfectly lovely of youI" declared Mrs Witherby in soft autter, ciasping her hand, on her lightly crossed knees "You see we've never had any one living here before who was really dis tinguished- There have been actors and actresses who, it appeared, were very we'll known in Australia and Colorado and even in Chicago and places like that but no one seemed to have heard of them 1T, New York But now-Your"
 New York has been very good to me-" said Miss Fletcher, smiling stili "and if can be good to the babies shall be very glad. I suppose you want a benefit Let me know your plans and will arrange to meet them"
 You don't know what load you've taken of our minds" she wen. on- "I saying yesterday I simply would not play bridge again for charity this summer-not ii l never another card And that's good deal to say; for what we should do without bridge in winter, I'm sure can't imagine But know I'm taking up your time, though you haven't told me once you're a very busy woman the way some horrid women do who haven't accom- plished half what you have. But I know you must be very busy every minute working up your new roles. So interesting" she murmured, lifting her candid eyes in childlike burst of admiration
 "Oh. no" Miss Fletcher hastened to disclair "I'm not working now- I'm just enjoying the lovely country about Rivergrove; and above all reveiling in my dear Rarden's
 You've got so many pretty things here, too" said Mrs Witherby. rising and pausing to glance around the room she adjusted her veil
 Don't go yet" urged her hostess. Wont you have look at my pictures1 have some rather nice ones As she spoke frown contracted her level brows and she swept the with a rapid glance until her eyes rested bowl of lilies of the valley half hidden by an intervening screen. How care less of Jane! Excuse me a moment" she murmured and lifting the bowl she opened a window and placed it outside the ledge "I sure perceived the perfume; can't endure it-just foolish trick of mine, she explained, returning to her visitor who had remained motioniess, watching her with only half-veed curiosity.
 Miss Fletcher loved her books and pictures. and 1t was evidently pleasure her to show them but her voluble acquaintance had fallen suddenly silent and found little to say until she stopped ii, front of small painting which her hostess had passed.
 How many Botticeiiis you haveP she exclaimed. That's very good copy isn't it? You must be very fond of him." she ventured.
 T am," said Miss Fletcher "He means spring to me-"
 T don't suppose should recognize them aIl" the younger woman went on, "not knowing anything about art really; only that my husband fonder of Botticelh than of anyone and is always rummaging at sales for old prints copies
 Mr Witherby has excellent taste, I know" said Miss Fletcher, politely.
 So people say," sighed his wife. "It seems to me that ,he is rather whimsical at times. My husband
  Long ago, in Canada, wasn't itl He mentioned it when told him was going to call and ask you to help us out"
 "Yes, in Canada long ago." Miss Fleteher's deep, sweet tones echoed the words.
 How beautiful your voice isl" said the other woman, pausing and staring moment You made that sound quite different It seemed to mean-an sorts of things"
 The next moment she exclaiming over the treasures which the Bookcase contained