The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-26
Too Much
Annabel1e
She Outstayed Her
Welcome
BY CLARISSA MACKTH
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
BY CLARIsSA MAcKIH


and looked across the table at hi,
pretty little wife.
Married three months. and this |,
almost the first Sunday we have haS
to ourselves" he declared. Nice t,
be alone. isn't 1t. dearT"
Violet flushed uncomfortably ant
avoided her husbands loving glance
at is lovely to be alone. Gail. but In
afraid you are going to be very mucl
Disappointed She paused signi6
cantly.
time? Has my Uncle Frederick an
nounced that he will not enjoy bill
| Sunday dinner unless he eats 1t Will
US. or has your Aunt Hannah decided
to shed the light of her presence or
us for another fortnightT'
Neither one. Gall. Don't be so un
kind. | can hardly tell you. for. al
though you have never met her. you
have taken such a dislike to her very
name
Not Annabeller calculated Gail.
Violet nodded de6antly. 81 don't
think you ought to speak of my cousin
In that manner. | am sorry IL | have
ever said anything about her that you
could misunderstood. for really An
nabelle Drage Is very sweet girl
and so clever! Why, Gail. am such
stupid little thing l am sure you
will be ashamed of me when com
pared to such a brilliant person as
Annabelle."
Mr.. Irving nodded. VERY likely
he said ironically. when is she com
ing?"
"She says" opening the sheets ana
rustling them nervously. that 1t will be
more convenient for her to arrive on
the Ito train and-er-that as 1t is
your day at home she assumes that
you will meet her."
.TH be there" said Mr.. Irving, with
grim smile.
II thought | would give her the large
front room." said Mrs. Irving. An
nabelle Is so fond of colonial furniture
and the little white bedroom Is toe
tiny. II will not hold half the books
she will bring. dare say
How long will she stayr put In
hershusband feebly.
81 don't know-a month perhaps.
Now, Gail. please don't look so hor'
rified 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 I am that /
know you will find my cousin con-
genial. shall stay In the kitchen
with Nora and cook the most fascinat-
Ing things while you and Annabelle
read Shakespeare and Tennyson and
talk learnedly about all those things.
Won't that be perfectly lovely" Vio-
let beamed at him over white hands
clasped under her rounded chin.
"Greatl 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
young mans fancy lightly turns to
thoughts of love- l read that when
I first met you. and. of course The
remainder OF this conversation had no
reference to the coming Of Annabelle
Drage.
At 1 o'clock Mr.. Irving walked slow
ly-nay. reluctantly-to the little sub
urban railway station to meet the I'M
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 a highbrow!" he la
meuted 81 can stand any sort of girl
except the one that sets up to be At
who Is Utah. yes. Portia. By love,
her mere proximity Is Influencing me.
I'm talking about one of Shakespeare's
women" be smiled bitterly as he paced
the station platform.
Looks like a Storm" remarked the
agent pleasantly.
"We're going to have very bad
weather." commented Irving gloom
ily-"rain, hail. snow outlook very
gloomy. | think It's going to be hard
The roar of the approaching train
drowned any response the agent might
have cared to make. Gail Irving went
to the coach from which a solitary
woman was descending; was con-
scious that an avalanche of trunks and
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. who
gazed back at him with frank inquiry
in her bright dark eyes.
"violet's husband. am sure" she
said cordially. holding out a gloved
hand.
"Yes. I'm violet's husband" repeat
ed Gail with parrotlike precision.
That's. my only mark of identity" he
added coolly. 81 am pleased to wei
come Mrs. Irving's cousin. Hope you
had 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 him.
seven In all"
"Sevenr echoed Gail helplessly. star
ing toward the platform where the
avalanche of trunks had become a
mountain. "Ah, of course. I'll have
them sent to the house. You don't