Chapter I: Front Matter

Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
file which includes the original illustrations.
See 15591-h.htm or 15591-h.zip:
(https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/9/15591/15591-h/15591-h.htm)
or
(https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/9/15591/15591-h.zip)

A WOMAN NAMED SMITH

by

MARIE CONWAY OEMLER

Author of _Slippy McGee_, etc.

Grosset & Dunlap Publishers New York

1919

[Frontispiece illustration: "Sophy," he said, "I have found the lost key of Hynds House"]

To

ELIZABETH HEYWARD OEMLER

_Sometimes my Little Girl._

When you were yet an Awful Baby,
And bawled o' bed-time, I said "Maybe
It is not best to spank or scold her:
Suppose a fairy-tale were told her?"
And gave you then, to my undoing,
The wolf Red Riding-Hood pursuing;
Sang Mother Goose her artless rhyming;
Showed Jack the Magic Beanstalk climbing;
Three Little Pigs were so appealing,
You set up sympathetic squealing!
Then, Bitsybet, you had your mother--
_You bawled until I told another!_

The Awful Baby's gone. Here lately
You bear your little self sedately.
You've shed your rompers; you want dresses
Prinked out with frillies; fluff your tresses;
Delight your daddy, aunts, and mother;
And sisterly set straight your brother.
Your bib-and-tucker days abolished,
Your manners and your nails are polished.
One baby trait remains, thank glory!
You're still a glutton for a story.
Still, Bitsybet, you beg another:
So here's one for you from

YOUR MOTHER.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I THE SCARLET WITCH DEPARTS
II AND ARIEL MAKES MUSIC
III THE DEAR LITTLE GOD!
IV THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE
V "THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF"
VI GLAMOURY
VII A BRIGHT PARTICULAR STAR
VIII PEACOCKS AND IVORY
IX THE JUDGMENT OF SPRING
X THE FOREST OF ARDEN
XI THE JINNEE INTERVENES
XII MAN PROPOSES
XIII FIRES OF YESTERDAY
XIV THE TALISMAN
XV THE HEART OF HYNDS HOUSE
XVI THE DEVILL HIS RAINBOW
XVII ON THE KNEES OF THE GODS
XVIII THE GREATEST GIFT
XIX DEEP WATERS
XX HARBOR

CHARACTERS

SOPHY: A woman named Smith.

ALICIA GAINES: Flower o' the Peach.

NICHOLAS JELNIK: Peacocks and Ivory.

DOCTOR RICHARD GEDDES: _Coeur-de-Lion._

THE AUTHOR: Himself.

THE SECRETARY: A Pleasant Person.

MISS EMMELINE PHELPS-PARSONS: of Boston, Massachusetts.

MISS MARTHA HOPKINS: "Clothed in White Samite."

JUDGE GATCHELL: The Law.

SCHMETZ AND RIEDRIECH: Workmen and Visionaries.

THE JINNEE: A Son of the Prophet.

SOPHRONISBA SCARLETT: "The Scarlett Witch."

THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE.

PAYING GUESTS.

THE PEOPLE OF HYNDSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

MARY MAGDALEN; QUEEN-OF-SHEEBA; FERNOLIA: Important Persons.

BORIS: A Russian Wolfhound.

THE BLACK FAMILY: A Witch's Cat's Kittens.

BEAUTIFUL DOG: Last but not Least.

A WOMAN NAMED SMITH