The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-01-23

over the whole she threw a napkin.
She was going down the steps when
once more from the same open win
heard before.
For heavens sake, clear out of
! here What are you hanging around
for? You've got all my money and
Hester Randall did not wait to hear
any more. With burning cheeks she
hurried through the gate and away
from the detestable stranger. Not II
the little home she was working SO
hard to retain should be sold over he,
head would she ever sell another par
ticle of her products to the boorish
mapmaker who lived in the Paige
house.
LET him eat bakers trash" was
Hester's ultimatum.
A few days later she was talking to
Mrs. Blake.
THAT Mr.. Chandler is an old man,
isn't he?" asked Hester.
"Oh, no; not so very old-leastways
he don't appear so to me, Hester. His
hair is gray as can be. but he is SO
| pleasant and boysh acting seems as If
he was as young as my Jimmy. He
! sets a lot of store by your cooking.
You've never met him yet, have your
Not exactly" admitted Hester. "Pve
! heard his voice. though, and don't see
, how anybody can think that's pleas.
J ant
"Now, isn't that the funniest thing
Everybody thinks his voice is the incest
thing there is about him"
II don't" said Hester. with decision.
| When the following Friday came
Hester passed the cottage of Mr..
Chandler with a scornful lift OF her
head. Not for the testy mapmaker
were the toothsome dainties she had
toiled over all day long. What If he
did like pie? She wouldn't make pies
for any man who spoke to her in such
a manner
As she prepared for bed that night
Hester's anger abated little as she
thought of the breadless, cakeless, pie
, less state of Mr.. Chandler. Somehow
she could not reconcile Mrs Blake's
description of him or the boyishly en-.
thusiastic note he had written with the
surly voice which had twice accosted
her from his window.
Saturday was Hester's lazy day. She
rested from her hard work of the day
before and usually occupied herself
with some light needlework or she read
a little On this particular Saturday
she was sitting on the front porch. her
never idle fingers engaged with a bit
of fancy work, when the gate opened
and a brisk step sounded on the path.
An instant later tall form loomed at
the foot of the steps.
The stranger was handsome man
the handsomest she had ever seen, Hes
ter admitted to herself as she took in
with swift glance the broad shoul-
ders, the sun tanned countenance light.
ed by deep blue eyes and the crop of
gray hair which made him appear
young or old, as opinions might differ.
He smiled and lifted gray cap from
his head.
Miss Randall?" he inquired in the
very incest voice Hester had ever
heard.
Yes" replied Hester wonderingly.
my names Chandler Pm wonder
ing If you realize, Miss Randall, that
I'm simply starving for lack of your
sustaining goodies?'
I'm sorry" faltered Hester, blush
ing.
"Why did you forget me? But, there;
1 needn't ask that. OF course I'm
your latest customer, and | suppose
you didn't have anything to spare for
me, ehY'
'NThat wasn't the reason" returned
Hester with sudden spirit II had
plenty of time to bake for you, Mr..
Chandler, but i don't care to keep
customer who-who talks to me In
such a manner"
"How-how-I don't believe l under
stand" stammered Mr.. Chandler in
undoubted bewilderment
Hester explained, painfully embar-
rassed at the amusement mingled with
the concern on his face.
Its that rascal, Peter" groaned
Mr.. Chandler. you see, Miss Randall,
Peter Is parrot that belonged to an
aged cousin of mine, for whom | was
named When Cousin Philip died he
left me the dandiest collection Of In
dian relics, with the strict condition
that must personally care for Peter
until he sees fit to shuttle off. Now,
my cousin Philip was something Of a
hermit, and see by Peters vocabulary
that his master detested visitors. Now,
permit me to bring you the i'll man
nered Peter in order to verify my state
ments."
Hester assured him that she was al
ready satisfied, and after she had en-
joyed a good laugh at her own ex-
pense she filed the basket of the
hungry Chandler and sent him away
rejoicing. but that was not until an
hour had passed, during which time
they became acquainted.
Hester continued to leave her cook
cry on Chandlers porch, and once
when she failed To bring IT he went TO