Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-21
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Mrs. MedburRs Bodrder
by l.. Il. LASGDALE

by l.. Ii. LASGDALE
II was because Mrs. Medbury hated
the Idea OF being alone In the house OF
nisht-now that Stella was away-that
single, respectable gentleman" as the
Uptonvllle News ran her advertisement.
The neighbors, coming upon the item
shook doubtful heads over II. Accord.
ing to them. there wasn't a single, re-
spectacle gentleman left in Uptonville.
. remark open to misinterpretation. but
correctly understood BY those to whom
II was expressed.
For Uptonvile's masculine population,
II you excepted boys under twenty. was
entirely In the tolls OF matrImony. on
what, then. could Martha Medbury be
Now It's possible that, after ALL Mar
tina had very few hopes, for when one
April morning they suddenly material
ICED out OF a clear, blue sky. she was
completely surprised.
''Is this Mrs. Medbury?" came a voice
from n pleasant-appeartng. fairly young
man who presented himself at the side
screen door as Martha was puttering
around her geraniums in the bay win
dow. The MIS- Medbury who adver
tiscd for ooarder? I'm quite-er-
respectable and I'm single. That is," he
intents and purposes l am"
Mrs Merbury was always convinced
that It was sheer curiosity. inspired by
these last words which led her to open
the screen door and affably invite him
IN to talk things over.
Not that the conversation which fol.
lowed gave any clue to the odd kind OF
singleness Mr.. Caleb Stone-which, It
seemed, was his name. or, rather. one OF
his names-laid claim to. Dear me, no I!
THAT mystery wasn't solved until long
afterward. when his name was found
to be. not Caleb Stone, but Eben HaVer'
ford.
his stay with Martha Medbury. From
the moment of his adoption into her
household. Mr.. Caleb Stone aroused
much comment and his method Of life
and schedule OF habits underwent the
closest scrutiny.
He doesn't do a stroke Of work"
contributed Sam Clark.
He gets a whole lot OF mai" vol.
unteered little Miss Beacham. who as
sisted in the poStOfiice.
He goes regular 70 the city on Sat
urdays," brought forth Ed Nathan, Up.
tonville's station master.
II should think Marthv would be kind
Of nervous, having him round when
Stella's TO home vacations piped up
old Mrs Beasey. voictng the opinion
OF the entire crowd assembled in the
church veslry for consultation as to the
adysability OF new hymn books. I'D
think twice about having any daughter
Of mine even IL she waS homely,
brought under the influence Of some
one what nobody knows nothing about
NOW, as IL happened, MeGDuTS
was secretly considerably worried as 70
Just how stella, due home for vacation
In few days. would act about having
a gentleman bOarder around the prem
ises. Stella vas such confirmed old
maid, ard a man-hater into the bargain
Her mother never stopped 70 reflect that
II was she who had made her daughter
what she was. preaching 70 her from
childhood that men, at best. were sorry
creatures and that It behoOvcd all proper
young girls to beware Of tneiT w!Ies.
She stilled her qua!ms. however, b.
assuring herself frequently that Stella
had no business expecting her to rur
the chance OF fighting burglars single
handed and all that sort Of thing whict
appeared to be taking place everywhere
and she. Stella, would have to put ur
with Mr.. stone as best she could
To the man himself she dtvulged III
information that her daughter, a mic,
girl but sometimes peculiar, was ex
peCted home for time, assuring him
that his routine should be in no w!s'
upset
Don't you worry n mite" she told
him. you'll have your hot water 10,
shaving promptly at seven-thirty al
you've been accustomed, and your two
eggs. one fried on one side and one OF
the other FOR breakfast Just as usual
This method OF cooking his eggs hac
come TO BE- well-cstablished joke be
tween them.
II happened that when Stella's trait
Stone was out, and Mrs. Medbury
thanked heaven for chance 10 explain
10 her daughter the circumstance be
fore she learned them otherwise.
Rocking back and forth on the porch
dressed up by the addition Of fresh
white afternoon apron, Martha re
hearsed her speech Of explanation Will!
she waited for Stella
Hes very desirable young man
pleasant around the house, prompt I,
his meals, mas lovely deposition
why--Stellu and-and Mr.
Stone: They must have run into eac!
other"
For UP the box.bordered path saun
tered Stella and Caleb chatting amiably
one might almost Say intimately, a!
though both were heavily laden Will
baggage.
20 herself totally inadequate. but. a
that. II paved the way 10 explanations
Brought home more stuff than usuaI
didn't you, stella?
~ certainly did, mother" declare
Stella. FOR the simple reason that Ir
through with teaching. I'm married t
Eben Haverford.
I'm other words, TO me" said CaleI
Stone proudiy. .. n e,aro hr,.L,,
.all my life you taught me to despis
men Well, when found one I cOuldn
desplse no matter, how haard ! tried,
decided to marry him. Then. naturally
/ wanted you TO IKE HlllI, NpO, ipNl
was sure you'd be antagonized at n
start. Then, reading the Cptonvill
News one day. l saw your ad and 20
my idea. Eds shop had closed dow
for a while and. anyhow, he's got 10
80. Considering ! had promised {
stay on until the end OF school | sen
him down here right after we were maj
ried as caleb stone. Then any rumorI
YOU heard. YOU wouldn't connect up
Satu rdsy's. he'd run up to see me. AnC
now. tell me you've learned 10 "N
But It was Stella's husband who tool
nifty on his landlndy's speechlessnes'
md smoke up for her. sure she likes
me dear As for me liking her, why
ahe's the only person ! ever knew who
could Try two eggs--one on one side, one
on the other !"
Nsat Complete Novelette-"Hsfoid
From Eioise"