The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-01-28

stop ndgetlng. You We Deen 10 tIle
window a hundred times tonight If
you've been once
But she said she'd be home for
supper. She said she and Anna
belle were running over to the Car
nival right after work to have their
fortunes told. It's past seven now. "
Probably the Wontan's rushed, "
remarked her husband dryly.
Mrs. Connors rose and went to
the window. Il never did trust gyp-
sizes. l wish she hadn't gone. But
she and Annabelle set their hearts
on it weeks ago. So l didn't say
anything"
If you're through with that page,
may l have it,"
Returning to her seat, she handed
it to him absent-mindedly Il hope
she doesn't take what that woman
has to say too seriously. One Of
those gypsies told poor Catherine
Rich"
How many times have told you
it wasn't the gypsy? 1t was cancer.
Says here that Pelham Osgood s
spending the summer with his
brother at the Congo parsonage. l
didn't know the Reverend had a
brother"
She was diverted from the unhap-
Ply end of Catherine Rich to the new
conner in the community. Mrs. Os-
good told me at the Ladies Aid
meeting. He teaches out West"
The front door opened and closed.
A glowing Peg entered, greeted her
parents, and dropped into a chair
breathing, I'm 50 excited. "
She and Annabelle had had lunch
on their way to the grounds. She
had to hustle before Ken called.
Annabelle was giving a party.
But what of the fortune? What
had the gypsy said?
Well, the gypsy said lot of nice
things. She'd live to be an old lady.
She'd never know want She'd new
er have any serious Illnesses.
But what about-kenneth?" in
CURED her mother What JOY in
growing old, in acquiring riches, in
being healthy, if you didn't have a
husband?
She said I'd marry a man who
first saw light under western stars. "
Mothers mouth dropped Fa-
theirs jaw fell They were both par
tial to Fasteners. To a certain
fastener. And Mother was quite
sure the man born under western
stars would be travelling sales
man.
Several weeks passed, Mr. and
Mrs. ConnOrs sat in their customary
rockers in the screened porch. From
within the house came sounds of
man reading on and on in a book
of poetry. After an hour of this, Mr..
Connors rose and walked desperate-
ly up and down, coming to stand
still just over the heads of the for
sythia bushes
Il don think can stand this
everlasting poetry much longer. II
he isn't reading it, he's talking it.
What did he have to come to this
town for? What did he have to pick
our daughter for? And why doesn't
he ever take her OUT" Mrs. Con-
nors tried vainly to hush him. Their
guest might hear. These evenings
weren't made to be spent indoors. ;"
Her husband shook his head.
Something S happened to our Peg.
To think-throWing over a chap like
Ken for a breeze from the West!
Sometimes l wonder if women are
wholly sane!"
Ii was some time before Mrs.
Connors snoothed things over. But
she die And even tried to paint
an agreeable picture of Pelham o.
good good family, good posi-
ton, and ali that.
Il suppose he's coming over for
supper tomorrow night?"
81 suppose so, she said patiently.
you think fellow with all ap-
petite like his would put on weight.
Most brainy men are thin"
II like the good solid type. I'm
still roofing for Ken. But l guess
I'm the only one left on the bleach
ers."
How pretty the sunset is over
Kenneth's house" she observed con
tentedly Doesn't that big purple
cloud look like giant with red
lined cloak"
Her husband reflected. Suddenly
he smashed one hand on the other.
"Of all the dubs! Why didn't l
think of it before?"
Think of WHAT" she asked, puz-
zled.
He called her attention to the fact
that Peg was yawning and it
was only eight o'clock. He seemed
to be in very good spirits. But he
refused to answer her question.
Mrs. Connors looked out of the
kitchen window. "Why there's your
father coming up the path. With
Kenneth. You'd better put another
plate on, dear"
Peg flushed angrily. "All right,
Mother l only hope Ken doesn't
make any breaks. He doesn't know
any poetry bat Edgar Guest"
But it was good to see Ken again.
1t seemed natural for him to be
coming through the back door as if
he were one Of the family Pelham
always used the front door. But
she he'd to let her mother speak, fuss
over him, fatter hum Mott CT liked
Ken.
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