Talbot's Angles

tuation. If it was for Martin's happiness to marry the pretty, rather underbred, wholly self-centered Grace Johnson, his sister would not be the on

e would be gone, pouted if he stayed too long, wept if he chided her for being a baby, bu

d not conceive that anyone should not be charmed to become the housemate of such a lovable creature as he assumed Grace to be, one so warm-hearted, so enchantingly solicitous, so sweetly womanish, and, though he did not exactly underrate Linda, he grew to smile at Grace's little whispers of disparagement. Linda was so cold, so undemonstrative; Linda was so thoughtless of dear Martin. Why, she had never remarked that he was late for dinner. W

, and her continual mending, patching, turning, contriving, all were forgotten or taken for granted as a just return for her support. That she had driven to town and back again, seven miles each way, during the last years of her school life, that she might still be companion and hous

ing been much occupied, would throw herself into a chair with a pretence of fatigue, cast her eyes innocently at Martin, and say, "Oh, I am so tired. Housekeeping in the country is so difficult, but I love doing it for you, dear. Can't you stay home with your little Gracie this afternoon?" And Martin would stay nine times out of ten, with not the sli

ble at the new order of things to Linda herself, but it was not till the burden was too heavy to bear longer in silence that Linda poured forth the grievances to which no one could listen so sympat

ing her younger sister the more because of her own lack of beauty. Being less of the spoiled darling, she was less vain and selfish, less wilful and obstinate, but was ready to reflect Grace's opinions, as born of a superior mind, so she quite approved of Linda's departure

ed, "I'm going up to town to see Miss Ri Hill, Phebe," she was a

re you

, I kin walk

but I think I can get Jake to drive, and you can go along in

fo' she was bo'n, an' she nuvver hire me nohow. I a

on't feel that it is exactly right for you to do that way. If you go

Ri? I ain't a-gwine bag an' baggage. Ef I d

ll get dinn

git Popsy to com

ind out, for I want t

requent upon Phebe's part, and she demanded so few afternoons out, that what she wanted was generally conceded her, and though Grace pouted and said she didn't see why both Linda and Phebe should be away at the same time, Lauretta smoothed her down by saying: "Oh, never mi

an cook better, and I am glad to keep her, for down here it is har

pronoun. She was always very particular never to say you and me. "I'm not a bad cook myself, and we can try some

lways consider me in ordering. Dear Martin didn't se

up all the housekeeping at the

he time I might want to be with Martin." She sighed deeply and wiped a furtive tear before going on: "Then, too," she continued, "I didn't want to neglect my frien

spondent. "Why has Linda gone to town?" she asked. "To do some shopping? I suppose she wil

ne to see about a boarding place, she told me, and she has some errands for me. I think it so much better to give her occupation just now. She is rather a restless person, and she will be

r sister," returne

. I wouldn't acknowledge this to everyone, Lauretta; but I always feel that she hold

before she said: "The Talbots a

ay have been plain people, Lauretta, in the beginning, they did have plenty of means at the last; we have enough of their solid silver to prove that fact," and indeed Gra

e carriage turn from the driveway into the road. "I may be wrong, but it does

entiment. She was as calm and self-possessed as possible when Martin died, while I went from one fit of hysterics into another. She

decided not to spend your winters in this lonely place

a pathetic look at the sister, murmur

ields of farmlands, or a white house glimmered out from its setting of tall trees, the masts of a sailing vessel behind it giving one the feeling that he was

herself in her ample shawl and directed, criticised and advised Jake the entire distance. Up through the shaded streets of the town t

od old-fashioned talk." She never failed to call Linda by the quaint name which had been given to various daughters of the Talbot family for many generations. "Go right out into the kitchen, Phebe," continued

"When de dead ducks eat up all de mud, Miss Ri

ise. She looked from one to anoth

, ef acco'din' to de ques'

l living-room, against whose ancient walls stood solid pieces of shining mahogany. Time-stained pictures, one or two portraits, old engravings, a couple of silhouettes looked down at the group. "Sit

as it is to be closed, I am thrown on my own resources. Mr. Willis has been good enough to interest himself in getting me a position in one of the schools, and I have come up to town to find a boarding plac

its me," broke in Phebe

ed. I shall be delighted to have you as my guest, my dear. While as for you, Phebe, go right into the kitchen and stir up that lazy Randy with a poker, or anything else y

t, you understand," said Lin

plump me, skinny you, and fat Phebe? You see h

a real boarder, I can't

, the better. We'll fix it somehow; just make yourself easy on that score. My! I never looked for such luck; a young comp

together; but I shall come within the next ten days. It is so very good of you to take me in, M

mother, but I never expected the Lord would send me Verlinda Talbot. I am not going to ask any question

sses Martin terribly, but I think s

don't doubt it. H

es

t of somebo

ull. However, though she may bore one, she has no affectations.

's face and noted the heavy shadows under the violet eyes, when Linda removed her hat. "Poor darling," she said to herself, "only time can help her. Grief sits heavily on her heart." She turned to a

, if I may," repl

ok cosier than it does now, and you will have a better impression of it." She poured out some amber-hued wine from an old decanter. "Here, drink this," she

d, "I cain't stan' pokin' 'roun' arfter that fool nigger. I is gwine

a "Here's to Phebe!" and Linda