Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-02-19
WITH THE HELP OF THE NEIGHBORS
BY OLIVE HYDE FOSTER

Copyright, BY Bobbs-Merrill Coz

he finally decided that he must settle
| 1t before he left. One of her friends
had given a party in his honor Sat
urday night, at which she plainly was
the general favorite; and he was very
much afraid of one young man in par
ticular, whose attentions had been
most favorably received. He therefore
decided to speak at the first opportu-
nifty. This, however, did not arrive un-
til Monday noon, on the way to the
station. The cart had come a little
early, in order to take them for GER
tain short, pretty drive together be-
fore train time. AS they started out,
he spoke.
Miss Marion, this is one of the
most enjoyable visits ever made, and
l hope 1 am going to be able to re-
member it as one of the most impor-
tant in my life"
Marion looked at him a little sur
prised. The truth was that she had
been wondering If she could get the
horse and cart back before Mrs. Doug
las needed them, and she did not grasp
the significance of his words.
"Oh, yes!" She nodded her head
thoughtfully. Then she quickly re-
membered what he had said and con-
tinued somewhat out of breath. Il
mean-I want you to remember it, of
course, but it isn't so very important,
you know"
such real good time, such pleas
ant"
"oh, yes. 1t is a lovely neighbor-
hood"
81 have enjoyed knowing your
friends"
They are so cordial to strangers"
Indeed they are, but then that
wasn't all l enjoyed"
mo? They are"
Il know how delightful they are, but
1t is your own well-managed home that
made the deepest impression on me-"
1T isn't half-bad-that is, l mean
it is NICE
Nice! Indeed it is, and it is easy
to see what makes it So"
She gulped: "Yes!"
You are the moving spirit behind
1t ALL"
'But you do not know how much
is due the neighbors."
Environment and association
counts, sure enough; but you are a
perfect mistress of household affairs"
"But-now, can't let you go away
thinking l baked that cake. Mrs. Gray
sent it in because she knows 1 am
particularly fond of that kind, in ap-
probation of some fancied favor had
done her"
But, Miss Marion, the flowers
were"
| Yes, they we're"
They were arranged so artistical-
ly, and the selections pleased me a
whole lot"
But they are not mine. We are
only keeping them for Mrs. James.
who is away for a few days. She ap-
preciated so much a few cut flowers
1 had sent her from our garden, and
knew l would take good care of hers"
Her face was burning, and the in
herited rectitude from Puritan fore
fathers was fast becoming uncomfort-
able.
THAT was kind of her, l am sure,
and she made a wise choice in the
caretaker. One could see at a glance
almost at the servants how much care
and training"
Marion buried her face in her hands
"Oh, oh, you don't know" She
hesitated. and for moment or two
there was absolute silence.
"Of course, l don't mean," he began
again, apologetically, that you had
to school them, they simply"
Something in her manner made him
pause abruptly.
Her pretty castles were tumbling
about her, but above all else Marion
Day was honorable. She had not
meant to be deceitful, and she could
not let him go believing-Oh, what
could he believe? With a spasmodic
gasp, she turned, and, looking him full
in the face. with quivering lips she
said:
"Oh, Mr. Willis! Even those are
not our own. Hilda came over with
the plants, and Mrs. Douglas sent
James, with the horses, because she
was sick and could not use them her
SELF"
Johnston Willis was man never
turned aside by trifles. He spoke
again.
81 can only say, Miss Marion, that a
girl capable of attracting such devot-
ed friends is the kind of girl want
for my wife. May have herr"
An Eccentric Russian Doctor.