The Lambertville record., 1911-10-06
Too Much
Annabelle
She Outstayed Her
Welcome
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
eiation 1911
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Young Gail Irving stirred his coffee
and looked across the table at his
pretty little wife.
Married three months, and this is
almost the first Sunday we have had
to ourselves" he declared. mice to
be alone, isn't 1t, dear?'
Violet flushed uncomfortably and
avoided her husbands loving glance
1T is lovely to be alone, Gail, but I'm
afraid you are going to be very much
Disappointed She paused signif-
cantly.
Gail frowned. "Well, who is 1t this
time? Has my Uncle Frederick an
nounced that he will not enjoy his
Sunday dinner unless he eats it with
US, or has your Aunt Hannah decided
to shed the light Of hsr presence on
us for another fortnightp
Neither one, Gail. Don't be so un.
kind. l can hardly tell you. for, al
though you have never met her. you
have taken such a dislike to her very
name
Not Annabellew calculated Gail
Violet nodded defiantly. 81 don't
think you ought to speak of my cousin
in that manner am sorry If l have
ever said anything about her that you
could misunderstood. for really An
nabelle Drage is very sweet girl
and SO clever! Why, Gail. l am such
a stupid little thing l am sure you
will he ashamed of me when com
pared to such brilliant person as
Annabelle"
Mr.. Irving nodded. Every likely"
ho said ironically. when Is she com
ing?"
''She says" opening the sheets and
rustling them nervously. that ii VIII be
more conyenioAt for her to arrive ON
the lie tram and-er-that as II is
your day at home she assumes that
you will meet her.
IN be there" said Mr.. Irving. with
grim smile.
Il thought would give her the large
front room" said Mrs. Irving. can
nabelle Is SO fond of colonial furniture
ana the little white bedroom is too
tiny 1t will not hold half the books
she will bring. | dare say
How long will she stayF' put in
-trasband feebly.
Il don't lnow-a month perhaps
Now. Gail. 0lease don't look so hor-
rihed | am sure you will enjoy An
nabelle. and when she leaves you will
miss her as much as shall. You are
SO much more clever than am that !
krow you '~ill find my cousin con-
genial | shall stay in the Kitchen
with Nora ard cook the most fascinat-
ing things while you and Annabelle
resd Shakespeare and Tennyson and
talk learnedlv about all those things.
Won't that be perfectly lovelyf' Nio-
let beamed ut him over white hands
clasped under her rounded chin.
Great, Fine! Only, you see. dar-
ling don't care for Shakespeare. and
I've never remembered line of Ten
nyson except that one, in the spring
a young mans fancy lightly turns TO
thoughts of love read that when
| first met you. and, Of course The
remainder of this conversation had no
reference to the coming of Annabelle
Drage.
At l o'clock Mr.. Irving walked slow
iy-nay. reluctantly-to the little sub
urban railway station to meet the un-
welcome guest. He had heard SO
much about his wife's Chicago cousin
that he was quite prepared to believe
that her coming to his little home
would revolutioniZe his new happi-
ness.
"Anything but highbrow" he Ia
mented. II can stand any sort OF girl
EXCEPT the one that sets up to be IA
who is it?-ah. yes. a Portia. By Jove.
her mere proximity Is influencing me.
I'm talking about one of Shakespeare's
women" he smiled bitterly as be paced
the station platform.
Looks like q Storm" remarked the
agent pleasantly.
We're going to have very bad
weather" commented Irving gloom
ily-"rain, RAIL. snow; outlook very
gloomy. think it's going to be hard
winter"
The roar IF the approaching train
drowned any response the agent might
have cared to make. Gail Irving went
TO the coach from which solitar.
woman was descending; was con
scious that an avalanche of trunks ana
bags were being hurled from the bag
gage car behind him and as the train
creaked into motion again found him
self staring at a rather good looking
Young woman. carelessly attired. VINO
gazed back at him with frank inquiry
in her bright dark eyes.
.sViolet's husband, | am sure. she
said cordially, holding out gloved
hand.
Eyes. I'm violet's husband. repeat
ed Gail with parrotl!ke precision.
That's my only mark of identity ne
added coolly. 81 am pleased to wei
come Mrs. Irving's cousin. Hope you
had a pleasant journey. I'll take your
trunk check and have 1t sent up to the
house."
"Here they are" and Miss Drage
thrust a sheaf of checks toward MIN.
"seven In ALL"
"seyenr' echoed Gail helplessly. star
ing toward the platform where the
avalanche of trunks had become
mountain. "Ah, of course. I'll have
them sent to the house You DON'T