Talbot's Angles

jog back and forth without going around the block. One of Linda's windows overlooked these gardens, where apple-trees disputed right

ve over to vegetables a larger part of her garden space, so that there were still discerni

s for Miss Ri. "He doesn't look like a fake," she told herself. "I suppose his story may be true. By the way, Miss Ri didn't tell me his name nor where he hails from." However, her thoughts did not long dwell upon the stranger, for this was to be her initial morning at school, and she was looking forward to it wi

ing, but the disciplining of a room full of mischievous urchins was quite another question, and the next morning her heart misgave her when she met the rows of upturned faces, some expressing mock meekness, some defiant bravado, some open mirth. Courageously as she met the situation, it was a trying morning. If her back was turned for but an instant, there were subdued snickers; if she made a statement, it was questioned; if she censured, there were black looks and whispers of disapproval. At last one offender, sneaking on his hand

heavily built, with a keen, clever face, rather than a handsome one. "Ah, Miss

rse. Well, what has s

to say. How is t

e going very well; as to my part

What's th

I am the trouble, perhaps; Miss Patt

girls do

m eight to ten, such sinne

eeping you standing and I know you are ready for your dinner. I'll walk back to the house with you, an

them coming, was at the door to meet them. "I thou

Don't imagine for a moment that my return

thing, for I don't i

hould go back on the reputation of an Eastern Shore hostess. Isn't it a world-wide theory that we of the Eastern Shore never turn a guest from the door when there i

s using his wiles to get me fined, at least. Come along in, if you must; I can gua

feelings are hurt because I

f a hint? Very well, go along and cut off your nose t

thews, laughing. "I believe I will come now, j

d I don't want it spoiled." Thus adjured, the young man followed the ot

y, Verlinda?" asked Miss Ri, w

he has had something to eat. Just now the shooting of the young idea is not a pleasant process to contemplate, in the ey

. The oysters came from the usual place, but I'm in high feather

want anothe

ed with common boarders, and I certainly don't w

ill find an excuse to come in every day about me

les and chipped beef," rep

'll come around with

mains of the chipped beef a

upper time; they can't

ties of those articles of diet; the

and ask Phebe, or I might bribe her to throw the

k Matthews. I warn you, not a meal in my house shall

I'd like a piece of that

light foolish talk was a relief, as the others intended it should be. In consequence,

to stay, telling Miss Ri with great glee that Miss Parthy had invited him to her house and that she

a. "That name sounds very familiar. I wonder wh

believe. Any more lig

bly. It's pretty hard on the poor chap, if there is really anything in the claim. Good-

gnation. "I can scarcely get rid of such a per

You must sign those papers

nd Miss Ri turned to Linda, laughing. "We always have it back and forth this way. He attends to my business, you know, and runs in often. No

Miss Ri's garden on some of the occasions when she was brought from Talbot's Angles to spend the day.

it had depended upon my kin folks. Don't be an old maid, Verlinda. When their very nearest and dearest are gone, old maids seem to be regarded, by the world in general, as things so detached as to have no rights whatever; their possessio

nerally those caused by her stepbrother's family, who lived no

true. Why, only the last time Becky was here she carried of

it? Your great-grandmother

to let her take it to get rid of the incessa

Becky; I've often

remarked Miss Ri with a droll smile. "That is the way it generally is, I suppose. Well, anyhow, Berk Matthews keeps my

ays so, and that you ne

Becky is no

belle in her day. The gentleman in red hunting-coat was a great-grandfather and his wife the lady with powdered hair and robed in blue satin. The man with the sword was another great-grandfather, and so on. One must go up a step to reach the embrasured windows which looked riverward, but at the others, which faced the lawn, hung heavy damask curtains. Linda had always liked the

ng on the yellow-keyed piano, and flickered across Chinese curios on the spindle-legged tables. Miss Ri's grandfather had been an admiral in the navy and many were the treasures w

own at the piano and touching softly the yello

come, it will be an excuse to get one. I'll see what I can do

g to bo

t and true. I wish you'd sing for me,

ngs I used to love when I was a child. You would play ti

lay nowadays, and on th

it is the old piano th

what you like,

arl," and the like. She selected one and set it on the rack. "Here is one I used to like the best," she said. "It

th, whose sweet expression betokened the kindly nature better than did the humorous twinkling eyes. She played with little style, but sympathetically, though the thin tinkling notes might have jarred upon the ears of one who had no tender associations with the