The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-11-30
They had evidently drawn near enough the

sltting-r Om, | hardly see the necessity OF
making a sewing-room of il, and an untidy
Ii at that, Niece Judith"
This was her greeting, but, whatever
else 1t may haze been. it was not unexpect.
ed. | had known her too long to become
vexed at her reprOofs. They were taken
as a matter of cours and treated accord
ingly. l helped her to her room with hel
numerous boxes and bundles. helped hel
to dress for supper, and all with an air ol
affection which | had almost begun to fe
lieve in, myself.
Uncle lad left her his entire property,
much to the surprise Of our family. fol
they-himself and Aunt-had not lived
on very good terms during theil
married life. She was a very rich woman
and felt that money and power were syn
onomous terms. erhaps they are; who
knows? | was kind TO her because mother
wished 1t, and | am sure that mother was
not actuated in her kindness by any other
motive than the fact that Aunt was
fathers half-siSter; besides, mother could
mo- have been unkind anyway.
"What is the matter with Helen?:" in.
quired Aunt, the next NO ming. | had
come down earl to breakfast, and she had
found II e there alone.
"She-she is not WE'LL" ! stammered.
"NOt well? Helen not we'll: She was
well the last time saw her. Come, come,
there must be some trouble. Out with it,
child"
There has heen nothing remarked in
the family about Helen or her appear
ance," this somewhat Indignantly. "But
l know that she is no happy and do not
wonder. She is to marry Mr.. Bonnet"
"Ah-ha! That old Or sus? see! | see.
l hardly thought that of Helen. Well,
we'll, | suppose you will be going one of
these days, too. Where is the rich old
man for you, Niece Judith? Has Helen
got it all.,"
Cit is not so-she is not-she does
not want money; it is for the others" |
was choking with indignant II.
What others
'tThe debts. Mother would not have
wished me to tell, 1 am sure, but there
are more debts on the place. and Helen
had the offer, and O. dear. There was no
help for it. y The tears were binding me
and | could not see very we'll, yet | thought
| detected the kindeSt expression l had
ever seen on my aInt'S face; but she said
nothing, and L thought maybe | had been
mistaken, after all.
/ could see that Aunt Jorib watched
Helen pretty closely. alter that. Helen
had always been a ia, orite with her. but
it seemed to me that Aunt was, somehow,
suspicious of her, this tine. How could
anyone think Helen sorlid? | could not
understand it.
IN Thanksgiving morning Aunt Jorib
declared that she must start for home, i'm
mediately. She had spent the greater
part of each day, during the week, in the
city; we were in a suburban town, and it
was All easy mat er to take the train to
the city almost any time; but, her home
was nearly a days journey from US, and
it seemed a queer freak to spend the day
travelling.
'You will miss your dinner" sad
mother.
''You will have tt more time to pre-
pare for the wedding, if l go, r" sad Aunt,
gr:mly.
Helen's color faded and 1 sa Aunt
look at her as if she rather Il ,oyed it.
when is it to be-! Shall / have an in
vitation?: What a happy a air it will be
all around. The eldest daughter happily
married. What q burden o the mind of
the family, ell, By The way, | have not
seen the happy q where does he live"
AT present he is in the city. He W IL
lie here to day, | think"
80, certainly. Thanksgiving" said
Aunt, cruelty. How very appropriate.
Well, L wish YOU much Joy, my dear"
and she actually laughed in iFelen's face.
However, we were pretty well used to her
ways, and an insult from her did not
count. Tom growled a good deal about
carrying her traps, " as he called them,
to the train, and we breathe | a sigh Of re
lief when she was gone.
We went cheerfully to work helping
mother 10 prepare dinner, and all went
we'll till the mail came IN. Helen read her
letter with a very white face, then threw
it to mother and burst into tears,
"My child, hat dos this mean2'
mothers face was a mixture of consterna-
ton and-yes, relief.
when did this happen?"
81 do not know; L knew nothing of it"
"know nothing OF what" l cried, N
able to endure suspense longer.
For answer mother gave me the letter.
1t ran thus:
Dear Miss Marsh-I release YOU from
your promise to NARY ne; | shall always
regard OIL as a friend.
Yours sincerely.
Nj. II. BONNET.
81 know.' | eXclai ed: 1T is all Aunt
Jorib's work. Why has she spent so much
time in the city? She has seen him, and
invented some story to drive him away;
she is afraid we will not treat her so we'll
if there is money in the family :" | felt
very scornful indeed.
Flush" said mother. 80 you not see
that his letter is kind? 1t must he some
thing else" But in spite of her worry, she
looked actually relieved.
When we sat down to dinner, and |
secretly thought we had not felt more
cheerful since last Thanksgiving, although
Tom, who see ed in such high spirits,
was not in the secret of the letter which
Helen had received. We were hardly
seated before the doOr-bell rang, and m 9TH
er was called out of the room. A few
m nutes elapsed. during which WE felt
somewhat impa lent, while Tom kept up a
growl about the cold dinner awaiting us.
when our neat little maid appeared and
primly announced that miss Helen was
wanted"
SPY hockey - said Tom. sit looks like a
conspiracy, don't it It'll be you're turn
next, Judy. So make up your mind to go
dinnerless, to-day. One after another we
are being swallowed behind that mys-
FERROUS door; Judy. if you get away you'll
come back and tie me about your adven-
lures, won't you? That's a good girl. You
know l am writing a nov"
".okeep still. 1 happen to know more
about the matter than you To-" l felt
very important, and could bear the thought
of a cid dinner with greater fOrtitude
thar poor Tom.
After a long time they came in, bring
ing with them the happiest faces they had
worn for many weeks.
ssWhat do you think. Judy? Dear Aunt
.inrih,aTom'S face became q st ldY at the