The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-01-24

a long row OF hemiocks and Norway
spruce bordered tho road. and. with
the aid OF a stone wall, shut on from
the highway prosperouslooking
vegetable garden, Farther along a
flower garden glowed In the fantastic
colorng which gardens acquire when
] planted for the love OF flowers rather
( 'han for definite artistic effects.
Farther stlll. two lilac bushes stood
sentinel on either side OF a gate
way; and behind. a deep green lawn
lay under the light. dappled shade Of
tall trees. IL was a lawn that spoke OF
many years of care; and in the mid
die OF It's velvet green, under the
branches Of two shelterihg elms. stood
the old red house II looked comfort
able and secure, in rs homely sim
plicityi something 10 depend on IN the
otherwise mutable scenes Of life
Alecl1 felt an instantaneous liking for
II, and was glad that his errand, sad
as Il might possibly be, had yet led
him thither.
Long French windows in the lower
part of the house opened upon the
piazza. and from the second story
ruhlcd white curtains Guttered to the
breeze, AS the shieldshaped knocker
changed duly TO Alexis stroke.
large, melancholy hound came slowly
round the corner OF the house, ap-
preached the visitor with tentative
wags Of the tail. and after smiling
mildly, lay down on the cool grass
II wasn't a house to be hurried. that
was plain. After a wait OF five or
ten minutes Aleck was about to knock
again, when a face appeared at one
OF the side-llghts Of the door Present
ly the door itself opened a few inches,
and elderly spinsterhood, wrapped IN
severe inquiry, looked out at him.
Can see the lady, or either OF the
gentlemen, who recently arrived here
from the yacht, the Jeanne DArc?"
Alexis voice and manner were
friendly enough to disarm suspicion IL.
self sallie Kingsbury looked at him
for a full second.
Come IN"
Aleck followed her into the wide.
aim hall and waited while she pulled |
down the shade of the sidellght which |
she had lifted for observation. Then |
she opened a door on the right and |
said:
set down in the parlor while I go
and take my salt risin's away from
the stove. amt had time to call |
my soul my own since the folks came.
what with callers at all times of the
day"
Sallle's voice was not as inhospit.
able as her words She was mildly
hurt and grieved, rather than offended.
She disappeared and presently came
back with white apron on in place
of the Colored gingham she had worn
before; but it is doubtful If Aleck no.
ticed this tribute to his sex. Sallie
looked withered and pinched, but more
by nature and disposition than by age.
She stood with arms akimbo near the
center-table, regarding Aleck with in
not unmixed with liking
You can set down, SIR" she said
politely, but | don't know as YOU
can see any of the folks. The man.
he's upstairs sick. clean out of his
head; the young man, he's nursing
him. Can't leave him alone a minute.
or he'd be up and getting out the win
low. f'rall know"
Aleck listened sympatheticallv "A
sad case! And what is the name If
may ask, of the young man who is
10 nl?"
'Lor', | don't know" said Sallie
The new mistress, her names Red
nond; some kin of Parson Thayer's !
md she's got this houso and a lot of
money. The lawyer was here yester-
lay and got the will all fixed. She's a
niger, too-one of those opery sing
rs down below, she is"
Sallie made this announcement as I
she was relating a bewildering blow !
I Providence for which she herself G
'as not responsible Aleck, who he r
an to fear that he might be the re-
ipient of more condolences than v
ecorum dictated, hastily proffered v
is next question. o
Gan see the lady, Miss Redmond? u
r is it Mrs. Redmond?"
Sallie gave a scornful, injured sniff. n
Miss Redmond, sir, though she's Il
Id enough to be a Mrs | wouldn't so Il
luch mind. her coming in here and b
sing the parsons china that I always a
ashed with my own hands if she was Il
Mrs. But what can she. an unrnar. Il
ed woman and an opery singer, know II
oout Parson Thayer's ways and keen cl
g this house in order, when I've
zen with him going on seventeen W
ears and he took me outer the Home m
hen was no more than a child?" IN
Alexis heart would have been la
one had he resisted this all but pas dc
onate plea. dl
You have been faithfulness itself u
I'm sure But do you think Miss Red
ond would see me, at least for few G'
nutes?'
Sallie recovered her dignity, which th
d been near a collapse in tears. and III
sumed her official tone 81 don't
ow as you can, and l don't know as co
u can. She's sick, too; fell over.
ard somehow or other, offer one of
'se pesky boats, and get neuralagy Wa
d l don't know what all. But I'll IN
and see how she's feeling" sn
Stay, wait minute" said Aleck
zed with new thought. I'm write
Message to Miss Redmond and then
q,