reunions.
We can visit along here any day. There, if they ain't frying doughnuts
in this next house, too! These are new folks, you know, from over St.
George way; they took this old Talcot farm last year. 'Tis the best
water on the road, and the check-rein's come undone--yes, we'd best
delay a little and water the horse."

We stopped, and seeing a party of pleasure-seekers in holiday attire,
the thin, anxious mistress of the farmhouse came out with wistful
sympathy to hear what news we might have to give. Mrs. Blackett
first spied her at the half-closed door, and asked with such cheerful
directness if we were trespassing that, after a few words, she went back
to her kitchen and reappeared with a plateful of doughnuts.

"Entertainment for man and beast," announced Mrs. Todd with
satisfaction. "Why, we've perceived there was new doughnuts all along
the road, but you're the first that has treated us."

Our new acquaintance flushed with pleasure, but said nothing.

"They're very nice; you've had good luck with 'em," pronounced Mrs.
Todd. "Yes, we've observed there was doughnuts all the way along; if one
house is frying all the rest is; 'tis so with a great many things."

"I don't suppose likely you're goin' up to the Bowden reunion?" asked
the hostess as the white horse lifted his head and we were saying
good-by.

"Why, yes," said Mrs. Blackett and Mrs. Todd and I, all together.

"I am connected with the family. Yes, I expect to be there this
afternoon. I've been lookin' forward to it," she told us eagerly.

"We shall see you there. Come and sit with us if it's convenient," said
dear Mrs. Blackett, and we drove away.

"I wonder who she was before she was married?" said Mrs. Todd, who was
usually unerring in matters of genealogy. "She must have been one of
that remote branch that lived down beyond Thomaston. We can find out
this afternoon. I expect that the families'll march together, or be
sorted out some way. I'm willing to own a relation that has such proper
ideas of doughnuts."

"I seem to see the family looks," said Mrs. Blackett. "I wish we'd asked
her name. She's a stranger, and I want to help make it pleasant for all
such."

"She resembles Cousin Pa'lina Bowden about the forehead," said Mrs. Todd
with decision.

We had just passed a piece of woodland that shaded the road, and come
out to some open fields beyond, when Mrs. Todd suddenly reined in the
horse as if somebody had stood on the roadside and s