Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-08-10
HOW MANY LUMPS7
BY PAULINE BARRETT.

Max Harding looked at the steep
hill ahead of him and then at his
heavy suitcase and swore softly under
his breath.
Such a beastly train service" he
ham some three hours lats-this be-
ing his first trip home from college to
see his mother since she had given up
the big house and elected to live in
hotel until Max had finished school.
The scarcity of help, she had written
Max, had driven her to this step.
well. there's no one to meet me,
that's certain" decided the young man.
Brown a. al indian from weeks OF
outdoor II a..t.,e With "the team II
would hay l,"t, hard to recognize In
this very tt;.a.:.red looking young
man he Snn %. re fashionable Mrs.
Harding. who i.',a in the hotel at the
top Of the hill.
Scowling fiercely, he dragged his
heavy suitcase up the path that led
to the house, only to be met at the
veranda steps by pompous-looking
flunkey, who effectively barred his
further progress.
Cant come up this way. fellah,"
said the pompous one. "All trades
men and peddlers"-with significant
look at the heavy case-"must go round
the back way" And he waved Max
grandly away.
Maybe l can sneak in through the
nd Cd hnfnrn l
greet my fastidious mother" he
thought to himself. IF she ever saw
me looking like this-hello! Whew-
ew-ew," and he whistled softly, for
young and remarkably pretty girl, all
muffled up in great woolly scarf,
stood directly in front of the kitchen
door hanging up dish towels, thus once
more effectually checking his progress
Him! Probably the assistant cook
thought he to himself. "Well, here
goes.
Have you moment to spare?" he
asked removing his hat and speaking
in his most engaging manner.
II have not" replied the young wom-
an promptly, scarcely glancing up from
her work.
Not much enthusiasm here" he
decided. Then. May show you some
of my wares?" with an expressive
glance toward the suitcase.
"You may not" answered the "as-
sistant cook" as promptly as before.
"Well, do you mind If 1 sit down on
the steps q minute7" he hazarded for
his third venture. I'm rather out Of
BREATH
II do not" again responded the fair
lady of the kitchen, taking him in with
one all-appraising glance.
So Max sat down on the lowest step
and, leaning his head back against the
house, closed his eyes.
"Poor fellow" thought the girl, her
sympathies aroused at last, "he must
be tired. I'm afraid was too sharp
with him."
She was back in a moment with a
cup of steaming liquid and, tapping the
young man on the shoulder, she offered
it to him.
Here, drink this" she said.
With many thanks, he beat hasty
retreat around to the front Of the
house once more.
This time his mother was on the
veranda, and she greeted him affection
ately. Then he went up to his room.
He descended about an hour later,
looking very different in his dinner
clothes, and his mothers pride shone
in her eyes as she met him.
"And, Max" she said, there's the
loveliest girl here. I want you to meet
her" =.
"Now, mother" he demonstrated.
"But, Max, dear, this one Is different
yes, she really is," she insisted, as he
smiled unbelievingly. All! there's the
bell for dinner now"
swell, no sign Of your divinity yet,
mother" said Max whom they were
we'll started on their meal. perhaps"
-hopefully-"she's changed her mind"
mo, see her coming now" said
Mrs. Harding, and straight to their
table came the lady Of his afternoons
adventure.
He had a moment to recover from
the shock Of recognizing her before she
reached them. but not so the girl, and,
lifting her eyes to acknowledge the in
PRODUCTION. the color flooded into her
face and her eyes asked innumerable
questions as she recalled the events of
the afternoon. But Anne Cabot was
nothing If not self-pOssessed, and very
soon her usual calm manner returned.
did you know that Katie. the cook,
left this afternOon?" she asked, look
ing at Mrs. Harding.
Gracious, mo-" gasped that lady.
who got the supperf
II did," said the girl quietly. "You
see, Mr.. Gates, who owns the hotel,
has known me since l was little girl,
and when he asked me to help him out
ant< TO I'm