OAKLEIGH.
BY ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND.
CHAPTER III.
When Cynthia asked at Mrs. Parker's door if that lady were at home it was not necessary for her to give her name. The maid recognized Miss Trinkett at once.
"Yes, she's at home, ma'am. And won't you please step into the parlor, Miss Trinkett? Mrs. Parker'll be glad to see you."
Mrs. Parker came hurrying down.
"Dear Miss Trinkett, how are you? Why, I should scarcely have known you! What have you done to yourself?"
Cynthia laughed her great-aunt's high staccato laugh.
"Well, now, I want to know, Mrs. Parker! Don't you see what it is? Why, my nieces at Oakleigh, they saw right away what the difference was. I thought 'twas about time I was keeping up with the fashions, and so I bought me a fine new piece of hair for my front. I was growing somewhat gray, and I thought 'twas best to keep young on Silas's account. It isn't that I care for myself, but you have to be particular about men-folks, as you'll know when you've seen as much of them as I have."
Cynthia was a good actress, and she carried herself precisely as Miss Betsey did, and imitated her voice to perfection.