Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-04

HPH'ti ntitNf
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 dctestable stranger. Not II
the little home she was workin. so
bard 10 retain should + sold over her
head would she ever sell another par
ticle of her products To- the hoorish
mapmaker who lived IN the Paige
house
Let him eat bakers trash" was
iIeSter's utimatum.
few Days later she was talking TO
Mrs Blake
THAT Mr. Chandler is nm old man.
isn't het" 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 boyish acting seems as II
he was rs young rs my Jimmy He
sets lot Of store by your cooking.
You've never met him yet. have YOU"
Not exactly" admitted Hester. 1--WE
heard his voice. though. and don't see
how anybody can think that's pleas.
ant
Now. isn't that the funniest thing?
Everybody thinks his voice is the incest
thing there Is about him
Il don't" said Hester, with decision.
When the following Friday came
Hester passed the cottage of Mr.
Chandler with scornful lift OF her
head Not for the testy mapmaker
were the toothsome danties she had
toiled over all day long. What II he
did like pie: She wouldn't make pies
for any man who spoke 10 her In such
n 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 Testers 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 bit
Of fancy work. when the gate opened
and brisk step sounded on the path.
An instant later tall form doomed at
the foot of the steps.
The stranger was a handsome man
the handsomest she had ever seen. Hes
ter admitted 10 herself rs she took in
with swift glance the broad Shout
ders, the sun tanned countcnance light
ed by deep blue eyes and the crop of
gray hair which made him appear
young or old. rs opinions might differ
He smiled and lifted a gray cap from
his head.
Miss Randall:" he inquired In the
very incest voice Hester had ever
heard.
'Aes." replied Hester wonderngly.
My names Chandler. l'm wonder
ing II yoii realize. Miss Randall. that
I'm simply starving for lack of your
sustaining goddess
I'm sorry" faltered Hester. blush
ing.
"N'hy did you forget me: But. there;
! needn't ask that OF course I'm
your latest customer. aud suppose
you didn't have anything 10 spare for
me. el:"
Tint wasn't the reason. returned
Hester. with sudden spirit. Il had
plenty of time To bake for yon, Mr..
Chandler. but | don't care 10 keep "a
customer who who talks to me in
such n manner"
How how don't believe | under
stand" s,ammered Mr.. Chandler in
undoubied bcwilderinent
Hester explained. painfully emhar-
rasscd ut the amusement mingled with
the concern Oh his face.
Its that rascal. Peter groancd
Mr.. Chandler. You see. Miss Randall.
Peter Is II parrot that belonged 10 an
aged cousin of mine. for whom ] WAS
named When Cousin Philip died lie
left ME the ,lan,li,.st collection Of In
dim relics. with the strict condition
that | must personally care for Peter
until he sees iii 10 shuttle oil. Now.
my cousin Philip was something OF a
hermit. AMI see by Peters vocabulary
that his muster letcsted visitors. Now.
permit me IL bring you the i'll man
nered Peter in order to verify my state
ments.''
Hester assured him that she was nj
ready satisfied. aud after she had en-
joyed good laugh at her own cx-
pense abe filed the basket Of the
hungry Chandler aud sent him away
rejoicing. hut that was not until an
ssur had passed. during which time
they became acquainted
Hester continued 10 leave her cook
cry on Chambers porch aud once