Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-06-30

at the door.
"A passel for you. marin, come by ex-
press, said Abraham Lincoln Scraggs.
the village scapegrace, who did all sorts
of errands when he didn't forget them.
~Paidi"
ia, met" said Aunt zillah. What
can it possibly be?"
But she did not open it until she had
interposed hesolid bulwark of the cherry
wood door between herself and the very
evident curiosity of the namesake Of the
great American martyr.
A wooden box, said she to herself.
@And paper box inside OF that And
why, bless and save us, if it ain't-my--
blue-butterfy!"
She stood staring down at the insect
specimen SO intently that she did not at
first perceive the little note that had
fallen from the outer wrappings Of the
box at her feet.
When at last it caught her orderly eye.
an oblong blotch on the carpet, she made
an instructive dive at it.
@What next?" said she. BE be-
witched? What is Marcus Oifiey writin'
TO me about?"
The message was very brief.
"MY DEAR AuNr,r IL said, pardon me for
the little trick have played you but Twas 80
anxious TO have Rapparee see this specimen,
and knew IL wouldn't be hurt in the least.
He says it's the finest this side Of the Rockies,
and you are lucky woman TO own It; and any
time you want 10 sell IL, he'll give you $50 for
Ii. hope you haven't missed IL, and been an
noyed. Love TO Beck.
Ever your affectlonate nephew, NJ. o."
@Well, never, said Aunt Zillah. di-
vided between rage and exultation. IF
l could just get hold of that boys ears!
Hopes l haven't been annoyedY And
poor dear Becky! must 60 after her at
once and beg her pardonl Bless me, II
makes my blood run chill to think what
a lot O names called her, and she as
innocent the whole time as that white
Brahma chicken in the grass! Where's
my bonnetw
Rebecca returned 70 the farm house.
There was no resisting Aunt Zillah's
frank penitence and genuine regret for
all that had passed.
Marcus is scampr' said Aunt zillah.
"Its all his fault. But he's right about
one thing Your voice ought to be cul-
tivated. And won't say another word
of objection about the conservatory, Re
becca.
THANK you, Aunt Zillah, said Beck.
Because really, you know, a thorough
knowledge of music--church music,
mean-is almost indispensable to min-
ister's wife. And think-I almost be-
level shall be minister's wife some
dayl" hiding her face behind the veil of
honeysuckle blooms IS she murmured
the words.
aOhl" said Aunt Zillah. Randolph
Villars, chr"
please don't tell anybody, Aunt Zil-
lah, said Beck. @It's great secret at
present. We are both 50 very young,
you see. But, oh, with a long breath
of surprise, what have you done with
the blue butterfly"
i've sent it back to New York, said
Aunt Zillah. sim going to sell ito Mar
cus's professor for $50. And shall take
the money toward new parlor organ
for you, on the instalment principle.
aOh, Aunt Zillah! The blue butterfly
that you thought so much off, cried the
conscience stricken Rebecca, clasping her
hands.
II did set deal of store by it, said
Aunt Zillah, slowly. But / amt sartin,
Rebecca, that don't set more store by
you, for all I'm cross and Grabbed some
times.
With tears in her eyes, Rebecca went
up to her aunt and kissed her.
The blue butterfly certainly couldn't
have done thati-[ Helen Forrest Graves.