Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-20

our party She had fascinated us all. this
winsome Muriel Fales, with her sweet
iare and her charming manners, and I
couldn't wonder that Jack had not been
able 10 resist the spell; but then-did l
not know his secret, and We're not all my
sympathies with the frail little creature
for whom the fir pillow was designedS
How could young man be so tickles
Was the old prOverb, 80 II of sight, out
Of mind To prove true again in his casep
j confess was beginning 10 be much dis
appointed in Jack.
I'm let you know if the fir pillow really
does her any good, ." he said to me in
light, fiippant way that quite veXed me
as he bade US good-by a few days later.
A telegram had come to him from the dis
tant city, and although knew we should
all miss the bright young fellow, | was
heartily glad of anything that would take
him away from beautiful Muriel Fales.
Not that | had aught against her; on the
contrary, | was charmed with her myself,
for she was no cOquette, but q sincere,
gentle, noble hearted young girl Still
couldn't help seeing that matters were be-
ginning TO take a serious turn with her
as well as with Jack, and | thought 1t
was high time that such sC6ndalOus pro-
ceedings should come 10 an end. Indeed,
had half n mind to tell Muriel myself
all about that mysterious pillow, only that
/ had promised Jack eternal secrecy in
regard to it. Now, though | am an old
maid and supposed to have all an old
maids procliyitieS for meddling with
other peoples concerns, it is not often
that l become 50 greatly interested IN
people that | meet in this random way at
quiet summer resort.
But Muriel and Jack and the little con-
sumptive maiden had somehow CrePt,
each one of them, right into my foolish
old heart. and felt strangely responsible
for the future happiness of them all.
Moreover, Muriel's mother had placed her
under my charge for the remainder of the
summer-we were to talk French together
preparatory TO her European trip in the
fall-and when the frank young girl,
knowing my interest in Jack, began to
show me the letters that came to her on
his return to the city, the burden weighed
upon me all the more heavily. Each let
ter, as could plainly see, grew more and
more lover like, till at last Muriel ceased
10 show them to me, but would read me
short sentences here and there with q
charming, blushing hesitancy that could
not fail 10 interpret.
One day. however, there came to me as
well as to Muriel letter from Jack, and
rs it will explain to you the whole situa-
ton, especially the romance Of the pillow,
far better than my GarrulOus talk could
do, am going TO give it to you in full:
my DEAR Miss HARDACRE-I promised
10 let you know if the fir pillow you so
kindly helped me 10 make for my poor
Angora pussy really did her any good.
Mothers letters about her quite worried
me while / WAS with you at the noun
tains, for she is of rare breed and is a
great pet with us all The doctors told
us her sickness was case Of confirmed
consumption, but since sleeping on the fir
pillow her cough has grown less frequent
and her appetite Is decidedly better l
think she fully appreciates, too, the deli
cate strawberry fragrance we took that
long, pleasant walk around the mountain
To secure. II she recOvers as ! now feel
almost sure she will, hope TO have the
pleasure of presenting her to yOu-the
kind benefaCtor to whose infinite patience
and forbearance she owes the pretty fir
pillow upon which she is soundly sleep
ing at the present writing.
lone word more before | close Con-
gratulate me, dear Miss Hardacre, upon
having won for my own the dearest,
sweetest little woman in all the world.
Muriel will tell you all about it. Ecstatic-
ally yours, JACK TURNER"
Emma E. Brown in Harper's Bszar.