Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-29

bered the ugly duckl1ng, or else the grub and
the butterfly, and all that sort of thing; but
l didn't, and if l had shouldn't have connected
them with Theodora; for, when alls said, there are
plenty of grubs that stay grubs till the end OF the
chapter
l was fourteen when l made the acquaintance of
Theodore. She was eleven. She was rather tall for
her age, and mostly and legs though it was the
legs that compelled attention because OF the
credible amount of black stocking. She had been
laid up with illness of sort and they had cut
her har-red hair at that She was as freckled as
if you spoke to her she seldom answered except to
smile rather foolishly, you have pretty complete
picture of my distant cousin, Theodore.
l will say for myself that was good to her. was
just the age when fellow doesn't care for much of
anything but hunting and fishing and learning to
pitch curves and increasing his chest expansion and
little for his mother and he's mighty careful to keep
that last to himself But l was sorry for Theodore,
and l let her tag around, and sometimes she even
went along my fishing excursions and carried the
bait. She never spoke unless she spoken to- and
not always then; so she wasn't much OF a bother to
have around.
1t was several wears before saw Theodore again.
had finished college, and cast my first vote. and got
over my first serious love affair." and something
due to happen. 1t did! 1t began when Grandfather
called me into his study one morning to talk over GER
tain matters identified with my interests" / had
an engagement to play polo with Freddy Hartman
at eleven and my chief interest was to get through
in time to take little of the conceit out of him. l
made UP my mind to expedite matters by agreeing
with everything Grandfather said.
1t started mustily enough, all about deeds and
toned that Theodore was distant cousin and that,
of course accounts for the fact that property
entangled in the most intricate way you can
imagine | sat with my eye the clock, while
Grandfather rambed on, and interjected Yes
sir" and Certainly, sir, whenever he gave the
chance. But at last he gave chance didn't take.
ITO come to the point, Dick, my boy" said Grand
father, and heaved sigh of thankfulness, the
intricacy of your affairs could be smplifed in way
eminently satisfactory if you and your cousin Theo
match
Good Lord!' l said. hadn't thought of Theo-
dora for don't know when but at that minute l
saw her just she looked when | said goodby with
her cropped red hair topping her spindling figure.
IL really couldn't consider such thing Grand
father"
Grandfather frowned He is a really splendid old
fellow you know, with the Sir Charles Grandson
manners And he has such air of expecting to get
his way that in spite of yourself you feel he
is going to.
Fl had understood" said Grandfather his voice
dropping an octave or So that your affair with
Mrs Freeman definitely"
oh, yes. Grandfather said in hurry, that's
all off,.
1t is not indscreet, 1 trust" Grandfather went
with tremendous dignity, to ask if the lady has
already successor in your Affections
Not on your-not at all. Grandfather, l said,
blushing; for had made fool of myself in the
Freeman affair and there he had me at disadvan-
The old gentleman's brow cleared. He gave me
friendly smile. Then will assume that YOU spoke
with undue haste. Dick, have wish to force your
inclinations; but trust that closer acquaintance
with your cousin Theodore will disclose good reasons
for the match, in addition to those have touched
upon She is expected Saturday" added Grand
father with air that told the interview was at
an end.
had forgotten Freddy Hartman by this time
Saturday. Grandfather" repeated and stood
staring at him in dumb CONSERVATION. 1t out of
the question. you for me to tell gentleman of
Grandfather's type that it would be impossible for
to marry my cousin Theodore because she was
pathetic little fright Girls have extraordinary in
sight about certain matters The chances were that
Theodore knew just why she had been invited to
Oakdale. and it was shame to nut under that red