Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-02-21
WAKING UP GABRIEL

BY CLARA C. HOLMES

Every well, Miss Arville, III be on
guard; thank YOU"
Arville Smithers was one of Man
hansett's ambitious housekeepers, and
Gabriel was her brother, who hadn't
a grain of ambition.
With the brisk sea-breeze sweeping
in at my window, l fell asleep. 1t
seemed Immediately that l awoke with
a start and sat upright. Arville was
waking up Gabriel!
Miss Smithers was in the attic where
she had had hatchway cut through
into Gabriel's down below
Year, Arville," groaned Gabriel. II
be a-gettin up; year, Arville--blame
you old woman!
The tone used told me that Arville
was being called an unforgivable
name.
l pitied Gabriel. My first impulse
was to slip into day gown and slip
pers and go to see how much Gabriel
was in need of first aid; but on sec
ond thought l gave up the idea. Even
If he were not hurt, he might whmper
and need great deal Of attention in
deed, If ] appeared. Lately | had OBJ
served Gabriel watching me dog-like
out of the corners of his eyes. Be
sides. he had begun to call me gently
little critter"
So I pondered long time until, at
last, l felt l had solved this Gabriel
alic riddle
That morning as l quietly ate
my breakfast with Arville, | naively
confided that / had left a devoted
friend in Oakland. / also confded that
/ had no intention of marrying anyone
yet; that l loved my freedom, and 1t
consign myself TO an eternal husband
and bungalow full of bnbbling young,
steers. Then l started early for the
Office. but, to my dismay, Gabriel was
waiting for me by the wayside. He
had his gun over his shoulder, and
in his hand he had two big Goldfish
heads, peace-offering intended for
Arville.
II was tarnel shamed OF Arvllle this
morning" he apOlogized. Poor little
critter, wasn't We scairt blue?"
"Oh, no, thank you; Arville warned
me. But you haven't been cunning,
Mr., Smithers?"
mo, the wind amt just right; but
these will make Arville delicious
Chowder"
II saw Susan Cartwright yesterday.
She said she was positively languish-
ing for good coot stew. l wish you
had got few coots, so we could share
them with her. Do you know, If were
man, I'd fall in love with Susan"
Nov, what would you fall in love
with her for?"
"Why, she's sweet-voiced, and sweet
tongued and sweet-faced and sweet
tempered Shed make an A No. /
sweetheart, Mr.. Smithers."
The next morning Gabriel Was wait
ing again. His face beamed
I've been gunnin'; I've got two
cOots. l was so tarnel mad with Ar
vile that l gave the birds to john
John Cartwright, the lobster dealer.
Later, when l met Susan she laughed
merrily.
Camille, you and Gabe are coming
over to dine with us on coot stew"
Like child l heard the decision
She chartered on, but at last l mar
aged to say:
II have only gay afternoon gowns.
and like them. You wear something
winsome, Sue
I'm too old to indulge she an
swered plaintively.
you are not too old" protested.
Delighted. Gabriel accepted the invi-
tation-and II must let him be my
escort. had plotted romance in my
own contraption
When our hostess greeted us. what
q surprise l got Susan wore a CO.
penhagen colored silien dress, which
deepened the color of her blue eyes.
She had fiuffed her hair and, due to
excitement, her pale cheeks were pink.
Susan was pretty.
l had never eaten senbirds before;
and never, never in Christendom will
! partake again One mouthful made
me seasick-l was so white Susan OBJ
served:
Camille, what is the matter?" she
whispered.
Quietly she slipped away to help me
home, but Gabriel followed imnedi-
ately.
whats the matter with the little
critter?" he asked Arville.
"Ptomaine poisoning" mallg@antly
declared his sister.
When Sue and had suppressed our
merriment, | said:
Take Gabe home with you and pac
ify him, Sue
The next evening we sat In Arviue's
living room. Gabriel was watching the
fireplace flames pensively.
Miss Wyman, Arville says you be
a-gOin to marry an Oakland Teller