Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-10-19

Hello, Aunt Ceiia!" doomed OUT d
hearty voice. Don't you know me-:
"Why--ee, it's Oliver! Oh, Phemie'
it's my nephew. This is Miss Ravens
Oliver. She-I've-"
I've come to stay awhile with Miss
Bennett" interpcsed Phemle, quietly
her cheeks Geep-hushed and her eyes
downcast.
And I've come to stay for good, .
said Oliver Bennett, decisively. Yes
stree! Going to quit my rowing and
settle down now. Aunt Celia, amt you
glad?"
Phemie sat alone in her room few
minutes later. Her worst fears were
realized; she had indeed made great
mistake. Not only was she not need
ed now in Miss Benefits home, but
her presence would be undesirable.
And, when the elder woman had told
her story, what would this stranger
think of her acceptance OF his aunts
bounty? How might he misconstrue
her motives? Well, she would have
to stay awhile and see what happened
What happened was that Oliver
Bennett took complete possession Of
the little cottage and its gentle occu-
pants. Never before had their lives
been SO full, SO gay, so interesting.
When they were not "faring forth on
pleasure bent" he was telling them
vivid tales Of the strange places and
people ne had seen and the wonders
Of his travels.
Phemie thought 1t was the excite
ment Of these stories Of adventure
that made her heart beat faster when
in the presence of this fascinating
newcomer. At no time, however, could
she overcome the feeling she had that
he secretly resented her coming to the
house.
Sometimes she caught him looking
at her in q way she could not under
stand. He seemed TO be probing be-
meath the surface of her social man.
ners and questioning her inner helf.
At such times she felt almost guilty.
The climax came on Saturday eve.
ming, just three weeks after Phemie's
arrival. She was coming in through
the rear doorway when bass voice
drifted down the hall from the piazza
where Miss Bennett and her nephew
were sitting.
"But, Aunt Celia, this talk of adop-
ton Is nonsense You don't want her
to stay here with you after all I've
said! III speak to her tonight. my
SELF"
Poor Phemie grasped the railing
with trembling fingers and the hot
tears gushed to her eyes. The blow
had fallen--this was the end! Oliver
Bennett himself had pronounced her
sentence. Well, she would not wait
for him to speak to her. She would
escape such humiliation.
Quickly her small trunk was packed
and preparations made Tor hasty de-
parture She wrote q brief note to
Miss Bennett, and, fastening on her
gray turban and cape, stole down the
rear stairway again, out into the
shadows of the summer night.
Tears blinded her so she could not
see the obstacle in the path against
which her flying feet carried her. A
pair Of stalwart arms caught her as
she staggered from the impact
"Glngerl Running me down. Ell"
cried a masculine voice. whats your
hurry? Why, Miss Ravens, what's the
matter? Wait, wait, little woman, you
can't run away from me like this.
There's something in the wind. and
I'm going to know about It,
you can't" sobbed Phemie, wildly
struggling to escape. Let me 60
I'm going away. knew I'd be misun-
derstood You-you don't have to ad-
wise her not to adopt me. Oh, please.
please let me go!"
oliver BENEFITS wits were working
quickly. He drew the trembling fig
ure he held to @ nearby seat and
spoke soothingly, but firmly.
Miss Havens-Phemie Havens--
listen to me. You didn't hear all !
said. told my aunt she shouldn't
keep you here because II wanted to
adopt you myself! There, the cats
out Of the bag. You're the finest lit
tie woman I've ever seen, to my no.
ton. and I'm going to marry you if
you'll have me. l was waiting for a
chance 10 tell you, but, Of course, IF
you want to run away-if you want
to go-now-Phemie, you go right
along and III live here with Aunt &C.
Tia and Pickwick."
He opened his arms wide, and Pie
'mie-well, after an instant OF dazed
silence, Phemie just gave n happy,
fiuttering, long-drawn sigh and set
tied back without a thought OF the