The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-27
ing with the soft odors of heaven it.

ing with the soft odors of heaven it. self.
 It was well was out early to enjoy it. for that was to be the day of my temptation and sore trial. I am glad I have recorded it all, for might have forgotten some day how wonderfully noY very pIiant, feminine attitude rub bed in my masculine intentions as to my life on the blind side of all the forces brought to bear on me to put me back into my predestined place in the scheme of the existence.
 Your Cousin James home is the, place for you, Evelina, and until he explained to me how you felt last night I was deeply hurt that you hadn' come straight, with Sallie, to me and to him. said Cousin Martha, in as severe voice as was possible for such a/plac- i'd individual to produce. Cousin Mar tha is completely lovely, and the Moss back gets his beauty from her. She is also such q perfect dear that her influence is something terrific, even if negatively expressed.
 t'I have come to help you get your things together so you can move over before dinner," she continued with gen. 
 the portnanteau first? see you have unpacked very little, and I am glad that it confirms me in my feeling that your coming over here for the night was just q dutiful sentiment for your lost loved ontG and not any unmaiden- ly sense of independence in the matter of choice where it is best for, you to live. Of course such a question as that must be left to your guardian. and of course James will put you un- der my care"
 tEI really thought that perhaps Cousin James did not have room for me- Cousin Martha I answered meek ly. t''How many families has he with him now?" asked with a still further meekness that was the depths of will ness.
 There are three of us widows, whom he sustains and comforts for the loss of our husbands, and also the three Norton girls, cousins on his fa- ther's side of the house, you remem- Der. It is impossible for them to look after their plantation since their fla thers death robbed them of protec- tor at least, even though he had been paralyzed since Gettysburg. James is a most wonderful man, my dear, most wonderful man, though, as he is my son, ought to think it in si- Ience."
 Indeed he is,'' I answered from the heart. -sBut-but wouldn't it be lit tie crowded for him to have another another vine-that is, exactly what would he do with me? I know Wide-S gables is wide, but that is a houseful, isn't it t?' ;.
 ''Wel1, all of us did feel that it made the house uncomfortably full when SaIlie came with the three children, but you know Henry Carruthers left James his executor and guardian of che children, and Sallie, of course, couldn't live alone, so Mrs. tHargrove and I moved into the south room to- gether and gave Salliel and the chil . dren my room. It is large room, and it would be such a comfort to Sallie to have you stay with her and help her at night with the children. She doesn't really feel able to get up with them at all. Then Dilsfe~ could sleep in the cabin, as she ought to on account of the jinson weed in her phthisic pipe It would be such a beautiful influence in your lonely life, Evelina, to have the children to care for"
 I wondered if Cousin Martha had ever heard that Blue Bunch indulge in such heartfelt oaths as had followed that train down the track last night!
 s'It would be lovely" I answered. and the reply was not all insincerity, as I thought of the darkness of that long night and the Bunch's offer of a place at her sturdy little back next the wall"
 "But I will be so busy with my own work, Cousin Martha, that am afraid I couldn't do justice to the situation and repay the children and Sallie for crowding them.'
 Why, you couldn't crowd us. Eve lima, honey,'' came in Sallie's rich voice as she sailed into the room, trailing the pup and\ the kit at her skirts and flying lavender ribbons at loose ends. We've come to help you move over right away"
 Well, not while have voice in the affairs of my own husbands niece! How are you, Evelina, and are you crazy, Sal1ie Carruthers ?' came in a deep raven croak of voice that sound ed as if it had harked partly from the tomb as Aunt Augusta Shelby stood in the doorway with reproof on her lips and sternness- on her brow. Peter and I will have Evelina move down Immediately with us. James Hardin has as much in the way of family as he can very we'll stand up under now"
 And as she spoke Aunt Augusta g1ared at Sallie with such ferocity that even >Sallie's sunshiny presence was slightly dimmed.
 Are you ready, Evelina? Peter will send the surrey for your .baggage.'' she continued and for a moment I quailed, for Aunt Augustus deterrnina- tion of mind is always formidable, but I summoned my woman's wit and mans courage and answered quickly before she fairly snatched me from under my own rooftree.
 "That would be lovely, Aunt Angus ta, and how are you?'' I answered and