Evening star., 1924-10-15
Continued from Yesterdays StarO

Despite the fact that she offered
he best wages in the neighborhooo,
he girls would not look at her
saucy jades: Had she inquired, she
would have learned that as a mis-
tress she was reported too free with
her tongue and fists.
Gwithian fruitless, there was moth
ing for IL but to try MouSeholc,
Teresa twisted her big horse about
and set off forthwith for the fishing
village in the hopes of picking up
some crabber's wench who could
handle a basting pant was still
early in the morning. A cook she
must get by hook or crook. Ortho
was growing a great deal at his
meals--her precious Ortho!
She was uneasy about her precious
Ortho; his courtship of the Penaluna
girl was not progressing faVorabiy.
He had not mentioned the affair, but
to his doting mother all was plain as
daylight. She knew perfectly well
where he spent his evenings. and
she knew as we'll as if he had told
her that he was making no headway.
Men successful in love do not mare
ike tiuder at any tiny mishap, sigh
and brood apart in corners, come
stumblinE TO bed at night damninE
he door latCheS for not springing TO
meet their hands. tho stairs for trip
ming them up; do not publicly and
apropos of nothing curse all women
meaning one particular woman. Oh,
no. Ortho was beating up against
head wind.
Teresa was furious with the Pena-
luna hussy for presuming to with
stand her son. She had looked higher
tor Ortho than Il mere farmers
daughter; but, since the farmers
p
Teresa was determined Ortho should
have her-the naughty baggage.
After all, Simeon owned the adja-
cent property and was undeniably
we'll TO do. The girl had looks of
sort though the widow, being enor-
nous herself, did not generally ad-
lnire big women) and was reported a
cood housewife. That would solve
The domestic difficulty. But the main
hing was that Ortho wanted the
chit. therefore he should save her.
Wondering how quickest this could
be contrived, she turned d corner OF
The lane and came upon the girl in
question walking into Gwithian,
basket on her arm, her blue cloak
blowing in the wind.
Teresa jerked her horse up, growl-
ing. Good morning.
Good morning" Mary replied and
walked past.
Teresa scowled after her and shout
ed, Hold fast IA minute
Mary turned about. .Well?"
What whimsy tricks are you serv-
ing my boy Ortho?" said Teresa. who
was nothing ii not to the point.
Mary's eyebrows rose. What do e
mean, 'whimsy tricks? ] do serve en-
fifty supper nigh every evening OF
his life and listen to his tales till"
,-.alI
enough" Teresa roared. Are e
goin' to have him? That's what I
want to know"
Have Who
Ny SON
which SON. The two women
faced each other for a moment. the
black eyes wide with surprise. the
brown sparkling with amusement.
then Mary dropped a quick courtesy
and disappeared around the corner.
Teresa sat Stin for some minutes
Elaring after her, mouth sagging
with astonishment Then she cursed
sharply; then she laughed aloud !;
then. catching her horse d vicious
smack with the rein, she rode on.
The feather-h headed fool preferred Eli
TO Ortho. Preferred that slow-brain-
ed hunk OF hrawn and solemnity to
Ortho, the handsome, the brilliant,
the daring. the sum OF manly virtues.
1t was too funny, TOO utterly ridic-
ulous. Eli, the clod, preferred to
Ortho. the diamond. The girl was
ravinS mad. raving. Eli had visited
Roswarva "A good deal at one time,
but not since Ortho's return. Teresa
hoped the girl was aware that Ortho
was absolute owner of Bosula and
that Eli had not a penny to his name
now. Ii she We're not, Teresa de-
termined she should not long go in
ignorance.
At any rate, it could be only a
question of time. Mary might still
have some friendly feeling for Eli,
hut once she really began to know