Ethelyn's Mistake

Mrs. Markham, senior, did not go to Camden again, and when Christmas

came, and with it an invitation for Richard and his wife to dine at the

farmhouse on the turkey Andy had fattened for the occasion, Ethelyn

peremptorily declined; and as Richard would not go without her, Mrs.

Jones and Melinda had their seats at table, and Mrs. Markham wished for

the hundredth time that Richard's preference had fallen on the latter

young lady instead of "that headstrong piece who would be his ruin."