Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-08-27

ed the cartnin for the hundredth time
as be trndged buck from the beach,
having searched every square inch of
the little home acre. Amt got
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 fiattish and an extra high short
cake-and ! may say that never saw
a little man that could tuck away such
sight Of food, Barnabas- after sIav-
Ing myself all the morning. not to
mention molasses cookies, because you
said he was partial to 'em. to have
him eat and run in this way is Jest
downright scandnlous"
81 don't blame you. Marin," said the
captain meekly.
Maria rocked herself to and fro. fan
ming herself with corner of her ging-
ham apron.
I'm going down TO the postofflce to
inquire IL anybody's seen him. II Ma
ria Pitt once clapped an eye on him
she would never forget him. Always
reminds me of camera. that woman
does" growled 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 l leaned back In my chair and
ooked up into the leafy 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 matter" gasped Maria suddenly.
Look" l murmured. pointing up
ward where the pale face OF Ananias
Slime peered down at us from the high
bra inches of the mulberry tree
''Landr' shriiled Maria. And she,
too. gaped at 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 1t reminded me of the Cheshire
cat In Alice In Wonderland" and I
wondered II Ananias' face would fade
away as did the cats, leaving only
smile behind.
1t looked possible, for Mr.. Shines
mustache was twitching In an attempt
at smile, but every now and then bis
prominent blue eyes rolled downward
to the lower branches OF the tree as II
there was something to be feared be-
meath him.
Presently I followed his glance and
saw. and Maria saw at the same time.
and we were speechless before the
queerness OF II all. In n lower crotch
of the tree. her back supported by the
smooth trunk. her feet incased in bal
briggan stockings and congress gal
tiers. was the Widow Rowell. Ananias'
prospective landlady Her hawklike
nose and her sharp chin almost met In
witchiike ferceness as she knitted
busily away at long. red wooden
stocking.
Maria was the first to recover her
self
"Hettie Rowell. whatever do you
mean by such actions?" she shrieked.
going to the edge OF the piazza where
her head was on level with that of
Mrs Rowell
Mrs. Rowell smiled sweetly 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
meanT shouted Maria up into the
treetop. What air you doing with
your carpetbag up there and the wild
ow sitting here In the tree like IA
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
nlasT
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 I'd been invited to spend the
night here and couldn't come to hei
house till tomorrow. why. she up ano
few at me so's-well. I'm a seafarine
man. as you may see. ma'am. and
faint no hard job for me to get ur
into the rigging when things are hot
below" Now Ananias actually smiled
"well. Hettie. what you got to sayi
AIR you crazy?' demanded Maria an
grily.
1.-THE captain engaged board for Mr.
Slime from me. Maria. and. faint nc
manner of use for you to try to keer
him away from my house. attempting
him with all sorts of cookery" she
said in her dulcet tones. Hes my
boarder. and he's going home with me
IL I have to stand here all night and
wait for him"
Maria was pale with anger. take