The Washington herald., 1913-03-23

who had been present at the great ball
in Lexington. Even Cousin Sarah
Tom was there" said Mrs. Jefferson,
thus for ever stamping this ghostly
outline with greatness. And there was
Aunt Mandy" lowering on the out
skirts of the general theme-"Aunt
Mandy was there, as full of fun and
mischief as ever. The old lady
stories bristlcd with such subsidiary
characters concerning whom it was
sufficient to say that they were there.
Sometimes so many were there that
the historian forgot her original in
tention and wandered aimlesly among
irrelevant acquaintance.
Usually Fran brought her back, with
gentle hand. but to-day she OWNED
subterfuge; the tale was meant to hide
Mrs Jefferson's real feelings. Fran
ventured through the trumpet:
Il wish there was a man-secretary
on this place, instead of woman"
Mrs. Jefferson snatched away the in
strument with indignation. What is
that you say?" she asked. glaring. In
bed with woman? Who? What wom-
an?' Then she clapped the trumpet
romance to do its worst.
Fran called, Your grandmother
goosey, and not so loud. if you please!
The other drew herself up. while
her black lace cap quivered at every
ribbon-end. What was this? How
dare this chit?
Fran took the tube with sudden de-
siveness "All right" she called
you can take it that way. if you want
to. But let me tell you one thing
dear old soldier-there's going to be
big fight put UP on these grounds
guess you ought to stay out OF 1t
But either | or the secretary has go'
to git"
Fran was not unmindiul of gram
mar, even OF rhetoric, on occasions
She knew there was no such word "a
git" but size was seeking to symbolic
her idea in sound As she closed heI
teeth. each little pearl meeting pearly
rival, her git" had something of the
force OF physical ejectment.
Behind large spectacle lenses, sparks
flashed from Mrs Jefferson's eyes She
shifted battle. But her tightly com
pressed lips showed that she lacked
both Fran's teeth and Fran's in.
trepedity. One steps cautiously at sew
enty-odd
Fran comprehended The old lady
was aware of Gregory's need OF cottor
in straining ears, such as had saved
Ulysses from siren voices. The pre-
tense of observing no danger kept th'
fine old face uncommonly grim.
Little girl shouldn't fight was he,
discreet rejoinder. Then leaning ovci
the wheel. she advanced her snow
white head to the head of coal-black
Better not stir up dragons"
Fran threw back her head and laugh
cd defantly Bring on your dragons,
she cried boastfully. There's not on,
| of 'em I'm afraid of. She EXTENDED
one leg and stretched forth her arm
I'll say TO the dragon. Stand up
and she'll stand; III say Lie down.
and down she'll lie. I'll say 'Git'-anc
Fran waved her dragon to annihilation
Goodness" the old lady exclaimed
getting nothing of this except the pan
tomimc: that. however. was eloquent
She recalled the picture OF David in he
| girlhood'S Sunday school book. AR,
you defying the Man of CATH Sh,
broke into delicious smile which
seemed to food the wrinkles of he
face with the sunshine of many dea
old easy-going years.
Fran smote her forehead. Il have ;
few pebbles here she called through
| the trumpet
Mrs. Jefferson erasped the other
thin arm. and said, with zestful en-
ergy, Let her have 'em, David, let he,
| have en-