The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-10-04

road was three minutes ahead of time
that day and when Miss Colemau's
man, who was five minutes later than
he had intended to be, drove up to
, the unpainted wooden station, the
only persons left in sight were the sta
tion master and a middle-aged gentle
man, who seemed to be harassing that
crusty official with numerous unwei-
come questions about the topography
OF the country thereabouts and the
means Of reaching any desired desti-
nation.
There's Miss Coleman's S man now,"
su1c; me station iuast"r. :uca!us tne
door and throwing the mail sack
across his shoulder. "ae can tell you
whatever You want to know" he called
bnck, rs he started down the road
toward tho village, "ani maybe give
you q lift in the bargain
John drel ;he horses UP beside the
nlatform. wnere the stranger sol lean
ing against the wall OF the station,
and clambered out Of the wagon.
';hre you Mr. Tom Coeman?" me
asked, producing the telegram rs he
would n letter of introduction and
handing it to the other rs an evidence
of good faith on his part.
Tne man took of MS hat, brushed
back his grayish-brown hair and nod
ded. Then, as if fearing that that
silent acknowledgment Of his identity
was insufficient demonstration, he
added:
'Yes, am. Who are you?"
sim the general manager of Miss
Abhie's place" John answered, with
touch OF resentment at the bras ,ue
ness OF the speaker. 'She sent me
down to meet you. Are You readyr
For answer the gentleman climbed
up to the seat beside the driver, ana
twenty minutes later he followed John
up the path to the hall door; it was
a. grave dignified exponent OF su
old school roliteness that he met Miss
Abbie on the threshold.
"My dear aunt" he said, taking
both her hands In his and drawing her
toward him. 81 am glad to SEQ you.
Can you honestly say ~ much:'
That clannish little woman's lonely
heart was filed to overHowing with
the Joy Of having some one who called
himself by the family name come into
her life and greet her affectionately,
and her ever-ready tears trickled down
on his strong white hand.
"Ah," she cried, forgetting that she
had no nephew, never did have
nephew and never could have 3
nephew. "You are welcome, indeed.
I am more than glad to see YOU"
At dinner. when Tom Coleman sat
opposite his new found aunt, he had
sn opportunity to study her All.
nuteiy.
"Do Won know, Amt Abbie.' he
said, ruefu!lv, ii. makes me feel like
au overgrown schUo,n.v 20 n i-c.s
you SO. | hal you nli pictured out
in my iGini. Iou were to be at least
fifteen years my senior, and | am
fortv. Yet here ind you still in the
thirtics, AMI ns pretty and fresh look.
ing ~ II GIRL III her teens. l can't ac-
count for Il. Had not already known
that you were much younger than my
father, and only hslf-sister, I would
think had made mistake and got
switched off on side track some
where"
Miss Abbie's face flushed and sho
was on the point Of mailing u comics.
sion Of her poverty stricken condition,
so fur as blood relations were con.
cerned, hut the demsion OF fancylng
herself communiuC with sUne one
bound to her wy ties OF nature was
sweet and she huGgeh it to her heart
and let the mistake drift on for future
reparntion.
"There are many things / want 10
know about my fathers family he
said to her that cY"nin", Gand you, OF
course, are the one | look to to
streightcn out the tangle of circum-
stances that has been vexing me for
several months. When are You ready
that each Of US should turn bio 5ra-
pher?"
'tNot yet" she said, hastily. 'Ii
there are any unpleasant and uuan-
swerable questions troubling you put
them aside and let thugs take their
own course for u time. We will con.
slider them by-and-by."
''I bow TO your superior Judgment,
my dear aunt" he said. with mock
humility. "When, in our opinion,
the proper time hs, arrived, let me
know"
1t was two weeks r..gYe he broached
the subject una!.