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Show ELaidly EBQaimcElDcE ' THE CHEERFUL CHERUB ETamrnnn I love to music box TJT spivfckt by Frances Parkinson Keyes EPeurI3iiumsim . Im just as nervous as 1 kin be about them exercises Mis Weston has chosen, Mrs. Elliott was Of course, confiding to Miss Manning. seein shes chairman of the committee on entertainment, none of the rest of us could say a word, but it looks to me as if shed bit off moren she can chew. If Sylvia Gray was sos she could be around, 1 shouldnt worry none, but Land! have you heard? Sylvias expectin again, and shes real She aint strong enough to poorly. have children so fast. 1 went and told her so the other day and what do you think she said? That she was real pleased, that she only hoped It would be twins, twin girls, so shed have two of em, right off, to go with the two boys I She does beat everything I When at last the assembled family, with the exception of Paul, sat down to a repast by this time slightly overdone, Seth was hampered by the desire to avoid trouble and to please everyone all the time. Violet bad come to him just before they sat down, and urged him to omit asking a blessing, for fear that Mr. Starr would He think they were had agreed with her. But now he quailed before Janes stern eye. to he gulped, all in one breath, and was Immediately conscious that now be had offended both his cousins, one by asking the blessing at all, and the other by his manner of doing it Lemme give you some chicken, Mr. Starr, he said hastily, which do you favor, light or dark?" Before Philip could answer, Cousin Jane also asked a question. I suppose youre not a church member?" she said with dark conviction. Oh, yes, he said. Philip smiled. My father was a Congregational minister. I hadnt told you that before, bad I? . . . Dark, please, Mr. Man- SYNOPSIS new-fangl- Motoring through Vermont, Philip Starr., young Boston architect, meets. In unconventional fashion, Blanche Manning, girl of seventeen, with whom he Ja Immediately enamoied. In conversation, he learns something of her family, history.. It being a long distance to, Burlington, Starr's destination., Blanche suggests, the village of Ham-stea- d not boasting a hotel, that he become, for the night, a guest of her cousin, Mary Manning. Mary receives Philip with true Vermont hospitality, and he makes the acquaintance of her cousin Paul, recognized as her fiance. finds Starr Mary' is acquainted with. Gale Hamlin, noted Boston architect. In whose office Philip is employed. He Informs her of his desire to win Blanche for his wife. She is sympathetic, and tells him. of an old family superstition concerning the "Blanches of the Manning family. Paul Manning is inclined to. be dissipated, not realizing Mary's true worth. Mary's reproaches for his undue conviviality are badly received by Paul, and the girl begins to have' misgivings as to the wisdom of the alliance. CHAPTER I V- - Continued I She faced this fact resolutely. Paul did not love her as much as she loved him. Why why? She almost cried It aloud. He was constantly falling her, not only by his whole idle, selfish life, but by follies such as be had committed the night before. Follies! There is little compromise of language in the speech of the average New Englander; he does not, as one writer has wittily put it, call a spade a silver trowel. The real name for such follies was sin, and Mary said it. even though she flinched in doing so. Sin and how had she ever failed him or anyone else in thought or word or deed? Mary could not help knowing that there were other men In the village who had been attracted to her, who would have been glad to make it plain that, they were more than attracted, if she hadnt made it plain that no one In the world mattered to her except Paul There was Thomas Gray, for Instance, slow and- plodding, but hard- ning. And exA Congregational minister ! working, kind and wholesome. then then there had been Gale Ham- claimed Cousin Jane in amazement lin, the great architect, whose name while the others sat staring at him in Philip pronounced with an awe amountspeechless relief at his tact in introing almost to veneration. She had ducing so exemplary a relative into never told her family much about their ruffled midst Why, I underHannah Adams uncle. Her casual stood Mary to say that one of your remarks about him had included little grandfathers mention of his frequent calls at the Was an Irish immigrant. Yes, Adams house when she visited there, he was North of Ireland Protestant. none at all of that last call, paid at Plumber, after he got to this country. the school when the news of her Made lots of money when he got start. mothers death had come. ed to plumb just hit the first wave The sharp note of a phoebe bird, in the fashion for bathrooms. He singing beside her, brought Mary to only had one child, and there was the consciousness that she must have plenty of money to let him travel and been dreaming a long time, and sent study and prepare for the ministry her hurrying down the hill, still unde- which was what he wanted to do cided what she ought to do, but imthose queer freaks of heredity come measurably, if vaguely, comforted and sometimes, you know. He was minrefreshed. Reaching the house, she ister for yeas of one of the largest of out her wet garments, took Congregational churches in Massaslipped a hot bath, dressed again in crisp, chusetts until he died, in fact. He clean clothes, and began, a little he was an awfully good sort for a fel- low to have for a father. My mother breathlessly, to get dinner. She need not ' have hurried; for came from Brookline. She was aneveryone else was late, but as she had other only child. And Im another, no means of knowing that they would ended Philip, less cheerfully. Do you mean to say," asked be, she was both tired and ruffled half-pashe with unconcealed envy, that a had at Blanche, one, when, meal ready to serve which would have you havent a cousin In the world? Not one. Nor parents nor granddone credit to an older and more ex- It isnt much fun. was cook. Violet first to the parents. perienced Blanche wouldnt agree with you," appear, and Violet was nervous. Mary knew it the instant she looked said Cousin Jane. But her mind was still too busy with Philips unexpected at her. Paul isnt coming to dinner, she and gratifying disclosures to dwell You hurt his feelings long on the shortcomings of Blanche. said tartly. How come you not to go to church this much morning. I cant think very this morning, then?" how you can act so, especially when ancircumstances, Extenuating ill. I is should have the poor boy asked nothing better than to sit be- swered Philip promptly, glancing at side him the whole morning, bathing Blanche. Cousin Janes next remark was Inhis poor aching head, if Id only been a terrific clattering and equal to it. But then, of course, terrupted by room above them. in the banging as love no devoted and theres as a mothers I Though I Mary arose hastily, in the act of servfelt the same way towards Martin.. I ing stewed tomatoes. Thats only Algy, she said by way didnt feel towards him at all, the way of explanation to Philip, waking up you do to Paul. I couldnt have. . his nap. Ill go and dress him from I believe you could, said No, dont him down. and bring to control the and grief Mary, trying still pink and warm When Algy, anger that seemed to be struggling for was settled In his high' with sleep, voice. in her Im he sorry mastery wont come Ill- take off his plate. chair, the ice cream was being served, sponge cake Wont you come into the parlor now and the fresh, featherywere delicious. passed about. Both and meet Mr. Starr? a comfortable was as There silence While this meeting was taking place, to eat with renewed began 'everyone both to persons very satisfactorily appreciation of Marys talents as a concerned in it, Seth Manning was sit cook. ting patiently In the family carryall for outside the village church, waiting CHAPTER V his cousin, Jane, and his small son. of out come Sunday school Moses, to On Monday morning It was still Miss Manning, in common with her much too hard to atneighbors, saw nothing irreverent in raining raining roads to Burling unknown the a in for little and tempt aisles porch using formal visiting after the services were ton. There was, Blanche added, to be one of Hamsteads Infrequent dances over. And as just at this' time Chll in the town hall that evening. It was was looming large drens Sunday, ahead of them, there was a good1 deal stupid foe her tagging along with Paul and Vary, even when they were on to consider. Dieyes good terms, and anyone could see that Paul was having one of his grouches. (Pauls grouches corresponded to his mothers nerves.) And none of the boys In the village seemed to realize that she was old enough to be asked to go to parties by herself now. . . . Well, thank the Lord for that, said Ill stay, of course. Philip piously. In the afternoon It cleared, and he went to Violet, hesitating a little, and asked if he might Invite Blanche to go for a little ride with him. Why, of course," she said delightedly. Take one of the roads out to West Hamstead. Theyre very pretty and quiet. I know our fine Vermont air is going to do you lots of good. You look better already than when you came. I feel better, said. Philip. Thanks awfully for. letting me take Blanche. Ill take good care of her. The route which Violet had suggested was one which could easily be covered in two hours, with the old family d. . l, 1 ... . . ! , : st -- g ever experienced in his life had awakened in him such a feeling of ecstasy. What tremendous what undeserved luck had been with him when he decided to take that swim I I am so glad you agree with me about the dances, he said, at last, rising reluctantly. But I didnt agree Philip, how can you? Philip! She had already begun to forget to call him Mr. Starr. He had never known before what a wonderful name Philip, was. The slow drive home was permeated with magic. Without knowing when or how he had begun to do so, Philip found that be was holding both Blanches hands; he felt her golden head sink gently on his shoulder and rest there quiescent The deepening dusk, enfolding them, seemed pregnant with the promise of still closer companionship, of more ardent embraces. But the prelude to these was perfect and complete in itself. Neither the return to the farm, nor the family supper, nor the departure for the party to which Blanche had looked forward to eagerly, dispelled Of Philips Illusion of enchantment course he got his dances. Many of the alternate ones he danced with 1 All on the Lady Blanche farm were bright sorry when Philip said good-band early Tuesday morning. Blanche, to whom he had suggested a short walk through the orchard, lifted brimming eyes to his. He stooped and kissed the tears away from her lashes. Then he laid his cheek against hers. This isnt really good-byou know, he whispered; and added softly, sweetheart! Violets farewell was likewise accompanied by tears, as well as by little pats and cooing sounds. Mary packed a delicious lunch, and laid a neatly folded road map with Philips route clearly marked in red pencil, on top of his suitcase. The day after his departure, the station agent called up Violet to tell her that there was a big box addressed to her, and marked perishable, express And, when it paid, waiting there. was promptly brought home by Seth and opened with some excitement, it was found to contain four boxes of candy, all exactly alike, but elaborately tied up with different colored ribbons. And under each bow of ribbon was slipped a card which read, With kindest regards, and many thanks for my wonderful visit, from Philip Starr." As Jane Manning had never bad a suitor, this was the first box of candy that had ever been given to her. She tried to conceal her pleased surprise as long as she was with the others. Then she carried the box home, very carefully, and put it on her bedside table, near her Bible. It did not occur to her to open it. She drew up her rocker, and sat for a long time looking at it No one but him would ever have remembered me," she said aloud, at all, let alone sendin me candy, at my age, and all tied up with red ribbon! . . That nice boy! she ended abruptly, and blew her nose hard. The excitement aroused by the boxes of candy and the pleasant letters which followed in their wake had hardly subsided when something even more thrilling happened. beside which A beautiful limousine, no more could runabout little Philips have stood comparison than could Cinderellas pumpkin with the fairy coach Into which it was turned, driven by a slim young chauffeur, very smart in a uniform to match the cars upholstery, drew up In front of Seth Mannings door, and a tall, distinguisman of early middle hed-looking age got out and asked for Mary. y, horse, but no one seemed to think it worth a comment when Philip and Blanche, leaving the house a little Before three, reappeared late for a six oclock supper. They had come to a little lake Silver pond, Blanche called It and found an old waterlogged rowboat lying neglected beside it. They bailed out the water In it with a tin can, found providentially near at hand. They they rowed about the lake for a time, and finally climbed a hill back of It, where they sat and admired the view. . Philip had been laughing, off and on, all the afternoon, from sheer joy, and when Blanche told one of her little stories, with perfect artlessness, he laughed more than ever. It seems so absolutely peaceful here," he said. Lets not hurry away. Well, we neednt, of course," replied Blanche, if it wasnt for the dance. Oh yes, the dance I Will you give me every other one? I think thats rather many, perhaps, dont you? asked Blanche, flushing a little. I wouldnt Oh, no, not at all dream of asking for less. It isnt , 1 done. Now y youre laughing at me again I Bad any man, Philip wondered, ever found a girl so unspoiled, so utterly delicious? It was difficult for him to refrain from taking her into his arms then and there; and though somehow he managed to steel himself against doing this, he reached out for the little hand that lay lightly on the extremely narrow strip of wood that separated him from Blanche, and locked his hard, lean fingers with her soft pink onS. Nothing that he had it tinkles out Just sound so lavender WNU Service y Perme- ; The little tunes Mary. The Slow Drive Home Was ated With Magic. J It tells of times that used to be A ROMANCE OF THE COMMONPLACE IBy niraimc hear this five-pou- Dr. Pierce's Pellets are best for liver, bowels and stomach. One little Pellet for a laxative three for a cathartic. Adv. Suffer for Others peoIntelligent and ple in a community are overdisciplined because laws have to be made to control the foolish. Exchange. well-behave- d Tired . . Nervous Wife Wins Back Pepl raw neives TIER were soothed. She banished that dead .ired" feeling. 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ROSSITER, Mgr. (TO BE CONTINUED.) 0XXXOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXK Science Finds Use for Pests Long Problems If you keep a thing long enough, youll find a use for it, careful house- land, can be made to yield power - i wives used to say. Well, the locust has been kept, however unwillingly, in tropical countries for a very large number of centuries. and a use has been found for him at last. It has been discovered that an oil can be obtained from his remains which is useful for making soap. This Is not the first time that possibilities of usefulnesa have been found in pests." Australias famous prickly pear, for example, which has swallowed up large areas of valuable But it does not necessarily follow that you have solved the problem of dealing with a pest when you have discovered a use for it The same product may be obtained more cheaply in some other way, or the market may not be capable of absorbing sufficient supplies. London Answers. Splendid Covenant The original covenant of the MoravWe will assist each othians reads: er in the spirit of love, live honestly and study to be patient DON'T If you are one of the millions who must get up several times a night, your trouble is probably due to an irritation of the bladder or excess acidity of the urine. Then just try COLD MEDAL HAARLEM OIL CAPSULES (ration has helped millions. Insist on Gold Medal. 35!. I |