The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-07-13


But We didn't want to go 10 the
nm SAID the tall young man, plain
lively. I'VE are three poor travellers
who have seen the light of vour fire
Would you condemn us TO steampipes
and radiators?"
Hllda found herself smiling. But we
uoh - she began. Then the sec
ond man stepped forward He wasn't
very tall, but his massive head and
thick hair that waved back from his
forehead gave him a wonderful perso-
nality.
1T has been many years since I
have seen a fireplace like that" he
said, with the big backlog burning
and with the old guns and antlers
ABOVE the mantelpiece; yet you would
send us back to tn Darkness and
baroness OF the hotel parlor."
Hilda turning from one TO the other
undecided, heard a voice from the dim
background, saying Let them in"
1t was Helen in her blue linen paint
ing apron and with her easel in her
hand. -.~-~ ,-
i heard what you said about steam
pipes and radiators" she said and
laughed. mo other argument would
have been effective, but we hate mod
ern heating, so in the name of our
hearthstone we bid you welcome"
The three men said nothing as to
whence they came or as to where they
were going; they simply settled them
selves in the three big chairs in front
OF the fire with the air of wayfarer
who have come to stay. First, however,
they begged that their hostess would
remain. Hilda settled that"
we have our work to DO" she said
You are welcome to the fire, but YOU
must not interrupt the duties of our
day." e.
Fasn she marshaled Helen and Har-
riot before her, and went out and shut
the door.
The three men left alone, leaned
back in their chairs and laughed. The
third man, who was boyish, said ca
gerly: did YOU see the youngest one ?
She is charming"
The man with the massive head
looked into the fire thoughtfully I'VE
have bombarded the castle gates" he
said, land have found princesses as
beautiful as they were reported to be.
So far, SO good"
At noon, Harriet came in. followed
by maid, who carried a tray on which
were coffee and sandwiches. There
was cake, too, and Harriet admitted
blushingly that she made it. She sat
down on the end of the old settee, at
their earnest solicitation.
'Hilda won't like it." she said.
The Apollo-like young man whisper
ed, But we like it,"
Helen came in presently to find Har-
riot, and she, too, was persuaded TO
stay. At last came Hilda, flaming with
Indignation.
is this the way" she said. that
men interfere with womens important
duties?"
Then the short nan arose and point
ed to the chair nearest the fire.
sit there" he said. What can be
more important on a rainy afternoon
than TO talk with those who need
you? This is a day to forget care i'm
the light of leaping flames"
Hilda's head went up, but she obey
ed him as she had obeyed no other
man.
In the course of the conversation
which followed the Apollo-like man
called his companions inadvertently
by their names. They were famous
names. and the three sisters gasped
that such men as these should sit at
their humble hearth. That such men
as these should have been kept waiting
al their door.
If we had known Hlda apologize
known what?7 was the demand Of
the man with the massive head.
That you were great" Hnda faher-
ed.
He laughed. I'VE are mere men af-
ter ALL" he said
When the guests had gone that
night, the three sisters looked at each
other.
Ihey VIII never come again. they
said. I'VE treared them too badly"
But they did come, and more than
that they wooed and finally won the
spinsters of Scarlet Ridge" vet the
wooing was not as easy as Il sounds
in the telling, for when the man with
the massive head asked Hilda, she said
No resolutely. and Harriet said No"
to the Apollo-like youth, and Helen
shook her head and would have moth
ing to do with the third man of fame
So the three went away, but before
they went they said each to the wo-
man that ne loved when you want
me write one word Come"
The sisters waited until Christmas.
and then Hiida said to the others
shamefacedly: Il can't live without
him. Why should we, because the men
of our own family made us miserable.
think that these men too are worth
less ?'
And Helen answered "WhyY'
But Harriet ran for pen and ink and
paper. and they wrote three letters.
and in each letter there was one word
but it was the word that brought them
happiness.