Why , who is coming ? '' An express wagon was jolting up the lane , with two people on the front seat and a big trunk behind . When it drew near Anne recognized the driver as the son of the station agent at Bright River ; but his companion was a stranger ... a scrap of a woman who sprang nimbly down at the gate almost before the horse came to a standstill . She was a very pretty little person , evidently nearer fifty than forty , but with rosy cheeks , sparkling black eyes , and shining black hair , surmounted by a wonderful beflowered and beplumed bonnet . In spite of having driven eight miles over a dusty road she was as neat as if she had just stepped out of the proverbial bandbox . `` Is this where Mr. James A. Harrison lives ? '' she inquired briskly . `` No , Mr. Harrison lives over there , '' said Anne , quite lost in astonishment . `` Well , I DID think this place seemed too tidy ... MUCH too tidy for James A. to be living here , unless he has greatly changed since I knew him , '' chirped the little lady . `` Is it true that James A. is going to be married to some woman living in this settlement ? '' `` No , oh no , '' cried Anne , flushing so guiltily that the stranger looked curiously at her , as if she half suspected her of matrimonial designs on Mr. Harrison . `` But I saw it in an Island paper , '' persisted the Fair Unknown . `` A friend sent a marked copy to me ... friends are always so ready to do such things . James A. 's name was written in over ` new citizen . ' '' `` Oh , that note was only meant as a joke , '' gasped Anne . `` Mr. Harrison has no intention of marrying ANYBODY . I assure you he has n't . '' `` I 'm very glad to hear it , '' said the rosy lady , climbing nimbly back to her seat in the wagon , `` because he happens to be married already . I am his wife . Oh , you may well look surprised .
I suppose he has been masquerading XXXXX a bachelor and breaking hearts right and left .
as at before behind near of on over than with