The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-04-22

| You will have luncheon with us.
| or maybe dinner would he better-or
| DothT l shall think you resent my
coming II you don't dine at the house
| every day. Mrs. Farnsworth-my
friend and compartments a very in
teresting woman. l am sure you will
| like her."
The information that she was pro-
/ tected In her youthful widowhood by
companion was impaired neatly.
1T was really much nicer, meeting
this way" she said, giving me her
hand. I'VE shall expect you at seven"
found them on the veranda. She
came toward me, slender figure in
white. She seemed taller in white :;
as she took few steps toward ae,
! was aware Of statelness | had
missed at the shore. A Guccnly
young person, but us unafrectedly cor
dial and friendly as in the bright
morning sunlight.
Mrs. Farnsworth, Mr.. Singleton"
Mrs. FarnswOrth was pleasant
raced, white-haired woman with re-
markably fine, dark eyes. If the
positions had been changed-if Mrs.
FarnswOrth had been my uncle's choice
OF wife. the situation would have
been much more real. ! instantly
liked Mrs. Farnsworth. She uttered
few commonplaces in an uncommun-
place tone without pausing in her
knitting. Mrs. Bashford had been
knitting too, and as she sat down
she took up her yarn and needles.
Her manner Of knitting was charm
Ing. She knew that l was watching
her hands and remarked with a grace.
full turn Of the head:
For an English boy somewhere
l began by knitting for my brother
and cousins, but"-hcr head bent
lower-"that isn't for me to do any
more" Her eyes. turned upon me for
a moment were bright with tears.
1t had been years since the house
had known wOman's hand, and It
was astonishing how humaniZed II
had become In few hours. The
long dining-room, always bare, for
bidding place. had been reduced to
cosy proportions by screens, and
small round table replaced the mas
sive, oblOng affair that always looked
as though 1t had been built into the
house by the carpenters. {
II found those lovely screens I'm the
garret and thought we might rs well
enjoy them. and that Lang Yao Jar
you see on the sideboard oughtn't TO
be hidden in the vault"
happy to know you care for these
things so much." I said. noting that
the white roses she had chosen for the
tar-l knew the choice was hers
served to emphasize the deep red of
Its exquisite glaze.
81 am among the unelect," remark.
ed Mrs. FarnswOrth. "When l am
told that such things are beautiful
am Immediately convinced. say
they are beautiful. and that is
enough"
''Thnt has always been enough for
me-" ] replied. my uncle used to
try to interest me, but he gave 1t up
when he found that my pagan soul
was aroused by nothing but pottery
idols. am a heatheni
81 am gratified that you make the
admission so frankly" said Mrs. Farms
worth. ~ have always been q great
admirer Of the heather. But, you know.
Mr.. Singleton. Alice and | never can
agree as to just what heather is
All our squabblcs have been about
that. am Disposed to include all
who believe In fairies good, or bad,
and persons who honestly believe In
signs. omens. and lucky stones and
all who have the receipt 0. fern-seed
and walk invisible-thcre's Shakes
peare for that"
II think" said Mrs. Bashford
sOberly, that j have always believed
In witches; and II | keep on believ-
ing ] shall see one some day. We
shall find anything In this world that
we believe In hard enough"
She was talking very gravely, as
though witches were the commonest
topic Of conversation, but finding my
eyes turned upon her In frank wonder,
/ she laughed at my amazement.
"Let us be honest with you, Mr..
Singleton" Mrs. Farnsworth explained,
land tell you that we are just testing
you. II may be breach of hospital.
ity, and you are but stranger, but
, we are curious to know whether you
are Of that small company Of the
!. favored of heaven who can play nj