Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-03-11
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,as. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicate

I2g. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
The Kings had always been the PEG
pie Of the village None but the New
England born can sense" just what
that means. There were more snowy
estates. there were people OF more
wealth but these were summer peo-
pie" or newcomers. The Kings had
lived In Edgemont for generations. and
upon the same ground-the hill rising
Just north Of the town square.
When DR. Philemon King became
heir 10 the estate. he retired from city
life, and by remodellng and enlarg-
ing the old home and beautifying the
grounds. he had made II the most ad-
mlred place In town. The lawns and
gardens were extended by adding sev.
eral acres OF the farm land, which
brought one corner down TO the old
FoOte place-a half.acre or So OF land
that had cut into the King estate for
many years having been sold by an
impecunlous King IN payment Of debt.
Here stood the cottage Of Amos
Foote. whose daughter Prudence was
his hOusekeeper DIR. King tried hard
10 buy this land back from Amos.
who absolutely declined Ia sell. The
controversy became town talk. and
then II was that some wag spoke Of
the King estate as THE Throne" and
Amos tiny cottage as 1.-THE Footstool.
The names stuck. Nobody said "the
King place" or ''the Foote cottage"
any more. Like most controversies, II
engendered bitterness, passing the en-
nifty on to the next generation. Pru-
dence FOote spent all the hard. lonely
years OF her life from girlhood To spin
sterhood In hating the Kings. and the
younger Kings had treated her with
arrogance or patronizing tolerance. ac-
cording to their temperaments.
The young man In the second auto
mobile saw II all-the drunken reel OF
the car ahead, driven by unskllled
hands the young girl walking by the
roadside struck and thrown into the
gutter. He reached her side as quick
IL as did the driver OF the unfortun-
ate car. II needed but moment 10
assure them that the girl was not serl-
ously hurt and after a mumbled apol-
Ogy. the man skunk stealthily away.
as the younger man said: Let me as
sist you. I'll be very glad 10 take YOU
home"
Louise looked up quickly. "Oh. there
Is no need 10 trouble you, Mr.. King"
she said. and blushed, partly because
she had never been introduced to this
Good Samaritan. and partly because
she had lost her hat and because her
hair felt loose and her clothes awry
"You have the advantage Of me In
knowing my name" smiled Lawrence
King, lifting his cap again. 81 only
know you are staying at the Footstool
beg pardon-with Miss FOote."
"That is my name. too" offered
Louise. although I'm only a step-niece
TO Aunt Prudence"
She smo0thed her hair hurriedly and
put on her hat. while Lawrence flicked
kerchief. and then led her toward his
ear. assisting ner as il sine were All
old lady or royal parsonage.
81 can't help bur marvel that you
can walk" ne said. You should. by
rights, have broken bones after such
q throw as that"
Louise twinkled. You're studying TO
be doctor. someone said," she
laughed.
Lawrence grinned. Yes, but truly,
was not hoping You were case" he
said.
Louise tried TO look sober. IL
oughtn't to speak TO you." she said
hesitating at the door OF the car.
"You're King and I'm a Foote.
Aunt Prudence would never forgive
me-"
Lawrence's face sobered. too. but his
eyes sparkled the least bit. whats II
sill about anyway" he asked. You
In. and then you can tell me as we
go along, and we can decide whether
or not II Is proper for me TO take you
home or whether I'll have TO leave you
10 sneak IN the back door"
SO Louise got In. Secretly she had
thought the old feud very foolish. and
had admitted 10 herself that Lawrence
looked "nice" and his mother was GER
lily fascinating. though remote. And
she told the story Of the Throne
the FootstOOl as she had heard II
her aunt.
What do you think about III" she
ed.
lawrence looked down into the pi-
ant face. Hitherto he had considered
"a shame" that the ugly little cot
re" should lie blot on the King
..ndscape. just because OF an old mans
obstinacy, but now he replied honestly :
Well, can't blame my grandfather
or wanting II to round out his
ounds, but can't blame your grand
Their for not wanting to sell his home.
d the place belongs to me, now
haps you know; and I certainly