Talbot's Angles

bearing a small package which she laid on the table, a merry twinkle in her

"No one has, alth

d nothing would happen. Tell me about it. I'm glad it's Saturday, Verlinda, so you don't have to hurry. Just touch the bell for

good trip, Miss

he men talking in the cabin outside my door all night, and the calves bleating in thei

o a sale? Of what?" B

aguely. Then, turning her attention to her breakfast she

burglars to the great entertainment of Miss Ri, and then a message coming

to tell you, Linda, but you must promise not to repeat it. I couldn't have told it to Bertie for she would nev

ightly. They settled themselves comfortably and Miss Ri proceeded to unfold her secret. "Berk was entirely too keen when he said I had a special purpose in going

don't," Lind

o look around and make up my mind just what I will bid on. Once I had a whole barrel of glass ware knocked down to me; another time I was fortunate enough to get a whole case of canned goods of all sorts. This time-" she shook her head as denying her good luck. "I saw this neat little package which looked as if it might contain something very nice; it had such a compact orderly appearance,

osity was aroused. She looked i

who had left the address to which it was sent. As I haven't an idea of the ingredients I don't dare pass it along to anyone else. I was temp

he girl. "She'd love to take it whe

ssed herself of the bottle, trotted back to the dining-room where she emptied the contents into the slop-bowl, returning to the sitting-room w

have sw

getting a box of decayed fruit, and another time I got a parcel of old clothes that I gave to Randy after making her boil them to get rid of any lingering microbes. This is the third tim

e," returned Linda as she f

as they came up on the porch. "Well, Mrs. Talbot," she exclaimed, "come right in. This is your sister, isn't it? How are you, Miss Johnson. It is

ically, finding her paler and thinner, but keeping the discovery to herself. Lauretta, however, spoke

in a school-room," Miss Ri hast

ndmother, she was such a very particular old dame and would have her mahogany and silver always shining. I remember how she would say to her butler, 'James, that service is not as bright as it should be.'" Grace's imitation of her various forbears always conveyed the idea that

astening to change the subject. She knew that great-uncle Blair

ould leave anything at loose ends. Of course, it has been most arduous work for Lauretta and I, but we have the satisf

Linda's slight figure. "Well," she said bluntly, "work evi

y piously, "One must bear up for the sake of others. The world cannot see behi

sage at arms between Miss Ri and Grace. "Come, Lauretta, I want you to see the view fro

d grandmother Johnson's haughty attitude toward underlings was again reproduced for the benefit of all. Miss Ri chafed unde

teness when Grace Talbot is around. A daily dose of her would be too much for my Christian forbearance. I wonder you stood he

da with an effort to be loyal. "I thi

f John Blair and his sister a dozen times. They lived down in East Baltimore and he had a little carpenter shop. Grandfather used to tell a funny story of how Blair brought him in a bill in which he had spelled tacks, t-a-x. 'That isn't the way to spell tacks, John,' said grandfather. John scratched his head and looked at the bill. 'Well, Mr. Hill,' he said; 'if t-a-x don't spell tacks, w

put out of humor

ent tickets to Lauretta and I.' To I, forsooth. 'Mrs. Genera

sity for a schoolmarm in t

do need one. Well, let them go up to the city, to their Major Forbes and their Mrs. G

Mis

know such a talker as she is? She is as bad as Becky, and did you hear Lauretta? 'Po

one who never get

rieties at one sitting. There now, I have finished my tirade. I won't abuse your in-laws any more. Let us hop

a chance to decide. We met in the dark and we

er chair with her strong capable fingers. "I wish I knew," she m

nocturnal prowlin

me. I must see him. I think I'd better call him up, alt

contented little sounds as someone threw them handfuls of grain. Once in a while would come a discordant "Caw! Caw!" as an over-greedy rooster would set upon one less aggressive. It all sounded very homelike and Linda wondered how matters were going with the familiar flocks she had left at home. Grace's coming, her talk of affairs at the farm had made a great wave of homesickness come over the girl as s

eturned. "How is it you are taking

character as people, and give me as much amusement as a crowd of human beings. Look at that ridiculous little

ore reasonable to be afraid of creepy things like mice

man. "That was certainly one on us. I

r has returned, I shall feel perfect

eresting character. She doe

d neith

nate in meeting. I understand, Miss Talbot, th

distance, about

the Talbots come fro

. We hold the original land

en to know of a Madison Talbot who live

s the name of my g

wa

k?" inquired L

eve he knew him, and coming down to this unexplored region, I am naturally r

Do you mean

if the majority of those one meets could

st have heard of it," said Li

it is the nicest place I ever saw. Tell me so

e water is always in sight, and through the trees you can see the old church; it is on our ground, you know, and there is an old windmill on the place. I shoul

" Mr. Jeffreys asked the p

rms, and ours is the older. My brother brought it up wonderfully, and it is in very good condition now. My father was in ill heal

t is y

it is the dearest spot on earth to me." Having made this answer she turned from the fence and resumed her walk while Mr. Jeffreys