The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1921-06-09
MISS FINCH
BY ClARisSA MAckiE.


pulchritude. but OF ROsamond. the cid
est he had only heard echoes or her
calm beauty. Men said she was a
marble statue and that nothing could
awaken her dreaming peace.
MY sister Rosamond?" Celia had
repeated one lay. shes the dearest
thing, bun she wouldn't he Interested
in any of this" she waved her fan at
the room full Of dancers. she is
browsing among books most of the
Time. Is the most absent-niinded crea-
turr imaginable, anu-we are missing
most Of this dance, aren't we?" she
ended wistfully.
Nell apolOgiZed and in moment
they were vanishing in the maze.
one afternoon when the fever u
spring was la the air and he could
not remain indoors harnessed to the
routine OF a busy ,rfice. Neil got into
his car and rode out East avenue 10
The country club. The Finch re>ni,In'e
Was on EaSt avenue ana he had passed
Mrs. Finch and the younger girls in
NV NisAbbs WI ullNtlI nv
aged negro The Finches were poor
III This worlds goods but, rs the,
came OF a good old family and had
many rich relatives, the fatheress
family Wenr around great deal ami
entertained occasionally in their love
~, decaying home, rlled with heir
looms.
JUST as Neil reached the Finch resi-
uence he became aware thar the una
chine needed water. A maid was
standing with her back 10 him hanging
CUT snowy washing Of clothes
She wore pink sunbonnet, but lie
could see q couple OF clothespins pro
rrudins from the depths Of the bonnet
Good morning" he said in his pleas
ant voice. MAJ ! have a pail of
water my car he did not finish the
sentence but paused in dismay, for the
clothespihs were removed from the
loNelcst Of lips and the face turned
10 his vas never that Of an ordinary
only belong To the sister Of Celia and
Ethel--she saw his embarrassment
snC smiled gravely.
Water? Certainly" she said in
voice which made his pulses Jingle.
IF YOU will come TO the house | will
give YOU Il pail there is water In the
garage, but you may as well I'LL the
pail in the Kitchen" She led the way
into great kitchen, Immediately
clean, where an ancient colored wo.
man, crippled with rheumatism, sat
in II comfortable armchair by the fire.
She croaked hOarse protests when The
girl gave Neil shining pail
'eNo. Miss Rosamond honey, done
YOU be waitln' on folks lax that"
Please, he quiet, Aunt Heppy,"
chided the girl.
II am sorry TO trouble YOU didn't
know that | might be ntruding-I am
acquainted with Mrs. Finch and her
daughters and"
You must be coming to dinner to-
night, then" suggested the girl. II
recognized YOU at ONCE am Rosa
mOnd Finch"
Neil took her hand. May stay a
little while and be kitchen company"
he asked. I'D like to get acquainted"
ROsamond looked doubtful Then
wave Of color invaded her fairness.
II shall be glad, Mr.. latimer, but you
see II would embarrass mother and the
girls if It were known--you see. Hcppy
Is crippled, so, as we cannot afford
another maid, come out and help.
Heppy directs me and love to
cook"
"She shore am de beatenest cook !"
Heppy.
Rosamond Joined in Nels laughter.
"Heppy Is good teacher, and 1t gives
the younger girls chance to 90
about. i've been out two seasons al |
ready, and / do like a chance to keep
up with my studies. | must fly around |
row because there Is dinner to GET
oh, we have an extra maid in for that |
to help Abner In the dining room. Can
you mix mayonnaise?"
Can II" Neil washed his hand.
and pushed back his cuffs.
IF you will let me help you a lit.
tie I'll forswear any knowledge Of YOU
and your dark plOttings In this
Kitchen"
Every WELL" she laughed merrily,
"only You must fly at the stroke OF
four, so that you will not scandalize
mother and the girls"
Neil never forgot that hour spent
In the kitchen with lovely Rosamondl
Finch.
That night at the happy, informal
dinner party for which the Finches
were famous Neil saw her again and
she seemed another girl. Her famll,
and friends took fire from her gayety
and 1t was ever-to-be-forgotten eve.
ming. Rosamond Finch had awakened
During the weeks that followed NELL
earned more about the interesting
emily Of girls who maintained their
social position OH depleted income,
'emade their own clothes, until there
'ame day when they had to unpack
Mrs. Finchs own wedding dress ard
'eil for Rosamond's bridal. After ALL
he eldest Miss Finch" who had CON