Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-15

Having lighted a slender but black cigar, the young man with the sum- burned nose blew a smoke ring and looked at the other young man in the Windsor tie and asked: Have you ever visited my artist cousins, the Ashbrookes-Jack and Hallies you know-at their country place? They call it Mon Repos, but I don't see why, because there is not even hill there and no repose whatever. In strict confidence, old man. if you haven't had that experience, I'll give you Punch's advice to those about to marry 'don't!'"
 why not7 They've been good enough to invite me several times and I've always meant to go some time" the young man with the sunburned nose. land I'm really fond of them, but I feel it my Christian duty to warn regular sort of chap like you not to go there unless you are pre- pared"
 "Well, what's the answer?" said the young man with the Windsor tie. "ls there anything peculiar about the country life of the Ashbrookes? ?"
 Peculiar? Why, man, it's extra ordinary! It's absolutely different from anything you ever dreamed of. don't suppose I can give you any idea of it."
 Sounds interesting at least. Tell me a few of the horrid details ''Thanksl I'll begin at the begin ming of my visit. When I arrived at the station-whfch is seven miles from the little village near which Mon Repos is situated-Jack, Hallie and little Helen with three other children met me with motor, which was driven by the man from whom Jack hired it. We were four grown people e senger car, and each grown person except the chauffeur held child. Hallie said in her sweet way that she feared that if my suitcases were piled in we should be rather crowded and she suggested that the man who car ried the mail could bring them on his next trip. He had left before we got settled into the car.
 You see,' rsrarked Jack, Eve don't go on joy Tides very often and when we do we don't like to leave any body out. Helen can't be happy un- and Hallie and I can't be happy un- less Helen is happy, so there you are, Dick"
 T was certainly there, all right, se- curely weighted down by buxom satellite of 10, who, I suppose, didn't by the time we reached Mon Repos. q fancied in my simple, trusting way that should be quite refreshed after a dip in the lake and the com forting supper I was anticipating. Sorry I haven't a bathing suit to mentioned my longing for a swim. I tore up my extra one for a paint rag yesterday, but I guess your things will be over in the morning" | Tn the morning?' I echoed.
 "'Yes, it didn't seern worth while tc | t1au an f7-ir laa S&c - tion just for your sritcases I car fix you up for the night
 | Thank you I replied, and Jack proceeded in the most genial tone tc bid me make myself perfectly s.t home Dick, for a little while he explain ed. You see. Pm doing a twilight study of Hallie by that bit of stone wall with the hollyhocks. It's not going to be half bad. The fact is on the line in the fall exhibitions. Its most important that we seize every bit of this evening light -5-.-
 'tNo swim, and, as far as I could set no supper! I lighted a cigar ant strolled around the bungalow. dis. almost lost in huge kitchen apron.
 "'Oh, Cousin Dick she called tt me, I'm having the most fun! Moth. CT lets me get our tea every nigh when she poses for daddy. I can make |anything I like. Tonight Pm going tc have something special for you. Don Iyou just love hot fudge on crackers 9
 "'Ye-s, but that's for dessert, ism it?'
 q like it for my whole meal, bu when I make it daddy always eats some cereal, too. Some kind tha doesn't have to be cooked
 CT guess I'll have some cereal, too Helen I said.
 ".All right, Cousin Dick, and I'll pu lots of cream on yours.' She did, ant it was sour.
 "Jack and Ha.llie talked of nothing
 but lights and shadows and color val ues while we ate our so called tea They appeared sublirnely unconsciou, of any peculiarity in the menu Blu when we rose from the table Halli lsdid remark casually that they dined a