Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-11

the main reason, to my mind, why he wanted
to live alone. He was abstract, rather than
concrete, in his ideals of life, and anything
that savored of responsibility to or for him
was most irksome. Heaelt imprisoned. l
know that Narcssa had never chance of
being his wife; but, poor child, if it pleases
her to think So
Miss Mel stood, gathered her baskets and
her berries up; but as she said goodby to
me | could not fail to note the subtle change
in her face,-her whole figure, it seemed to
me; a sort of letting down of her calm. the
premonition of age. | had never thought of
such a thing before with Miss Mel; but
there it was, like sinister shadow.
A ND now Harmon forgot to sleep and eat.
The town went visiting from house to
house to discuss the affairs of the Wrayhurns
and Sheldon Coulter. For Sheldon Coulter
and Miss Narcissa were out in his automo-
lille, riding together, morning, afternoon,
and evening; they literally lived on the road.
Miss Narcissa had fastened back her long
Grape veil now, so that it streamed behind
them like the aftermath of sorrow; though
she herself was as happy and blooming as
rose. | have never seen such change IN
anyone unless you would consider Sheldon
Coulter.
Indeed, he had changed more than Mar
cissa. Tall and angular and slow speaking
when with Miss Mel, he had caught some Of
Narcissa' S light spirits when out driving; at
least, it looked that way. | suppose motors
affect people so,-they give you sense of
iOvouSneSS and Opulence and good will to all
mankind But Sheldon Coulter had waited
on Miss Mel for fifteen years. He had been
her servant. her carrier, her slave, and Har-
mon couldn't get used to the change. Mar
cissa came in for a good deal of talk.
7 TOOK my sewing and went over there
again about two weeks after | had
spoken with Narcissa. Miss Mel was out
on the back porch, old Nancy, the house
keeper, told me. found her sitting there as
usual; but for once her busy hands were idle.
She had nothing to do, and her eyes were
fixed on that far line of trees where the red
geraniums blazed Her thoughts were even
farther than that, it was plain to see. She
was thin, Enthusiastically thin, | saw at
glance. | wondered if she were worrying
about Sheldon Coulter, if she had really
cared for him.
"Narcissa's gone for drive" she ex-
planned.
I'm willing" I answered. @You know
that | come to see you" 1t wasn't polite;
but somehow held Narcissa responsible for
Miss Mel's changed looks. "If she isn't care
lul, Sdl1, CllCIC WOu DC tILllS lSlC VI
that widows mourning. Dust is dreadful
thing for Grape wells, and mourning is awful
to clean if it is dragged around every day in
greasy motorcars."
"Narcissa is going to lay aside her mourn
ing before long" Miss Mel answered, with
that sweet, indulgent smile of hers. "She
and Sheldon Coulter are going to be mar
RED
l nearly tumbled off my chair. "For
goodness sake! Narcissa- Sheldon
Coulter married! never dreamed of such
thing! Why, Mel"
Miss Mel put out her hand and stopped
me. Evidently she did not want to hear me
talk.
Il have no use for Sheldon Coulter!"
blazed out. | couldn't keep still.
"Sheldon?" Miss Mel turned and looked
at me in surprise. Then she laughed out
frankly laughed as have seldom heard her.
Certainly she was not breaking her heart
over Sheldon Coulter!
WHY, Patty" she smiled, "Sheldon is
only like every other man; and men
are like flies. Put grain of sugar out on the
table, and fist fly will come and taste it,
and if he happens to be hungry he stays there
nibbling. Other flies have seen that grain of
sugar and passed it by; but just let one fly