Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-10-30

us Miss Charity Decker at home"
NO." she said coldly.
"Ah," he said in a disappointed tone.
Then, unbuttonIng his coat, he thrust
a gloved hand into an inner pocket.
"I wonder If you"- he was beginning
when Darina interrupted him coolly.
'We don't wish to buy dictionary
thank you"
His hand dropped to bis side, and ne
flushed redly. ~ beg your pardon
he was beginning when Darina's voice.
a little sharper this time, brought ire
to his brown eyes.
"Or a history Of the world or rem
iniscences of anybody" said Darina
heartlessly.
I'm not canvassing for books" ne
said grimly.
"Nor patent mousetrap OF carpet
beater or fancy note paper" continued
Darina recklessly. we've got q fold
Ing sewing table that turns into
chair
DO I lock as If had q folding
sewing table concealed about me?' he
demanded scornfully, yet with smile
back of the glitter IN his eyes.
: We've got bread mixer ana Il pae-
ent washer and q freezer
pray spare me the inventory OF
your household goods" he said cut
tingly. IL may as well tell you as
rapidly as 1 can that
"And we don't want to purchase
any fruit trees or shrubs this year,
ended Darina breathlessly and rather
frightened at her own lack Of couf-
tesy.
"All Of WHICH is very interesting
madam; but, as q matter OF fact, ME-
Joseph decker of Greenville asked
me to stop here for his sister, Miss
Charity, and drive her over to his
place. There! That's why I'm here"
be calculated, in q relieved tone.
Darina's foury little hands flew up
10 her reddening cheeks. "Oh, | am
so sorry! What have satd?" she raj
tered. My aunt went to Greenvllle
BY train. She left about an hour ago
In the station stage"
"Then I may as we'll drive along
he said. replacing his cap and turning
away, his glance lingering in a trou-
bled way on Darina's sweet. tearfui
face. "You mustn't disturb yourself
over that. You see, was so slow
about explaining who l was that no
wonder you thought was canvass
er of some sort. suppose you're Doth-
cred to death with them"
1--WE are" said Darina fervently, and
In a few words she told him OF Aunt
Charity's last admonition and also OF
her experience that morning. i think
the brush man scattered my last atom
of patience" she explained.
"I don't wonder" he consoled her.
81 believe the same fellow called at
the parsonage the other day. and
1.-THE parsonage" echoed Darina.
"Then you must be Mr.. Flick, the
new minister at Greenville."
"I am" he smiled, barring his head
again. II believe there is some sort
of donation party going on for me
tonight, and my sister, who keeps
house for me. advised me to keep out
of the way. That is how happened to
call for Miss Decker"
at was very kind Of you, indeed. and
an ashamed Of the reception l gave
you," said Dartna. Just as he was
passing through the gate to enter the
little cutter that awaited him Darina
remembered the red mark on the gate
post Perhaps Mr.. Fleck could reas-
sure her as to its meaning. She recol'
lected hearing Miss Charity say that
he had been missionary.
Instantly she was in the gateway
explaining Der fears. The minister
looked at the rude character closely,
thought for n moment. and then
smile broke over his face. Il was
connected With mission in Syria for
a year, and l learned something Of the
language. This merely says it is the
house Of avarice and merchants will
do we'll to pass it by. 1t Is too bad
that it is not written in plain English
so all your obnoxious agents might be
discouraged"
Darina watched him drive away
over the sparkling crust Of snow. con.
scious that her heart had thrilled
strangely at the clear, compelling
glance of his brown eyes. She went
back to her baking quite cured of her
i'll humor and cumming softly under
her breath.
The next Cay when Miss Charity re-
turned home and had evolved from her
rouminous wraDplngs into a very
small thin old lady she related with
much animation the events Of the
evening before.
1T was the incest donation party
ever went to-. Darina, and I like that
young minister. Why. the first thing
I'd got there he singled NE out and
told me about coming here and asked
all sorts OF questions about us. Hes
coming to call. and | say it's very
kind and attentive, because Little
River is out Of his parish. They're