Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-08-16

but he had disappeared, shiny bag and
all. aud Maria was almost as upset as
the pcrturbed captain.
what In time ails the man." mutter-
ed the captain for the hundredth time
as he trudscd back from the beach.
having searched every square inch Of
the little home acre. Amt got a
crouch and gone back to the city?
You don't think that Maria:'
Don't ask me- admonished Maria
darkly After shaving myself over
them hatiish and an extra high short
cake-and ! may say that | never saw
little man that could tuck away such
sight OF food, Barnabas-after slav-
ing myself all the morning. not 10
mention molasscs cookies. because you
said he was partial 10 EN-. 10 have
him eat and run in this way is jest
downright scandalous."
81 don't blame you. Maria" said the
captain meckly.
Maria rocked herself TO and fro. fan
ming herself with corner of her ging-
ham apron
I'm going down TO the postoflice TO
inquire IL anybody's seen him. II Ma
rim Pitt once clapped an eye on him
she would never forget him Always
reminds me of u camera. that woman
does growlcd the captain. Struggling
himself into his blue coat and dragging
his cap over his white hair.
When his stalwart form had disap-
peared over the bridge by the -four
mill leaned back In my chair and
ooked up into the cafy greenness of
he big paper mulberry tree.
l remained in this attitude. gazing
Upward. open mouthed and staring.
Miss Telham. Land sakes. What's
the mattcr:" gaspcd Maria suddenly.
Look mnrmured. pointing up
ward where the pale face of Ananias
Slime peercd down at us from the high
branches of the mulberry tree.
Land shrillcd Maria. And She
too. gapcd az the strange sight.
Nothing was visible save Ananias'
mean little face. and that was pale
and drawn with fright There was
something elusive about the face up
there II reminded me of the Cheshire
cat In Alice In Wonderland" and
wondered IL Ananias face would fade
away as did the cats. leaving only
smile behind
II looked possible. for Mr.. Shines
mustache was twitching In an attempt
nj smile. but every now and then his
prominent blue eyes rolled downward
TO the lower branches OF the tree as II
there was something to be feared be-
meath him
Presently followed his glance and
saw. and Maria saw nj the same time
and we were speechless before the
queerness of Il all In lower crotch
Of the tree. her back supported by the
smooth trunk. her feet incased In bal
briggan stockings and congress gai-
tiers. was the Widow Rowell. Ananias'
prospective landlady. Her hawklike
nose and her sharp chin almost met in
witchlikc iicrceness as she knitted
buslly away at long. red wooden
stocking
Maria was the first to recover her
self
"TIettie Rowcll. whatever do you
mean by such actions?" she shrieked.
going 10 the edge of the piazza. where
her head was on level with that of
Mrs. Rowell.
Mrs Rowell smiled sweetIy down
upon Mrs Fish. and her almost vertical
eyebrows went up TO meet her gray
hair.
Dear Maria" she lisped pleasantly.
I'm just waiting for my boarder. Ana
Mas He thought he'd like TO get a
view of the harbor from the top OF
the tree
"pshaw. Ananias, What does this
mean:" shouted Maria up into the
treetop What air you doing with
your carpeibag mp there and the wild
ow sitting here In the tree like Al
catbird"-
Like cooling dove. Maria Fish" in
terrupted the widow with a dangerous
smile
Like "A cooling dove knitting a red
wool stocking" amended Maria grim
ly. II ask what Is she doing here. Ana
nias;"
Waiting for me. Mrs. Fish" said
Ananias quite meekly. "She came aft
er me. she did saying she'd been wait
ing dinner for me two hours. and when
] told her Id been invited TO spend the
night here and | couldn't come TO her
house till tomorrow. why. she MP anc
flew at me so's-well. I'm n seafaring
man. as you may see. ma'am. and
faint no hard job for me 10 get up
into the rigging when things are hot
below" Now Ananias actually smiled
well. Hctiie. what you got to say?
Air you crazy" demanded Muria an.
grily
The captain engaged board for Mr..
Slime from me, Maria. and faint no
manner Of use for you TO try TO keep
him away from my house attempting
him with nl sorts of cookery" she
! Guf.I In h..p L.