The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-27

observation-disclosures
CONTRIBUTORS OF STORIES AND POETRY FOR THE LITTl
FOLKS ALWAYS WElG0ME.
TWO PRIZES AWARDED M0NlTalV.

and under the spreading shade trees Of
the park. ana at last turned up the lonely
road leading 90 the cemetery. Aunt Ma
TIA who was stout began to pant
II hope he isn't going much farther.
she sighed. Nothing but a sense OF duty
has sustained rue SO far"
Katharine did not notice the self.sac-
rucinC remark. Her eyes were fixed on
the distant form OF her brother.
Look. mamma, she exclaimed, her
voice sharp with surprise; he turning
80 a. the POtcrs
The Potfers we're well known IN the vi
entity as a shifiiess irreciaimabie family
whose enc hold upon the popular .sympa-
thy was a littl. crippled daughter. Mar
tina The sweet-faced child. with patient
endurance written on every feature seem
ed As out OF place In her surroundings as
garden Flower blooming among rank
and nOXious weeds.
Yes. Dan had walked up 10 the Potters
rickety front door. lie placed upon tue
steps the bundle which he carried. ana
which was large enough 10 account Tor ms
slow progress, raped loudly. ana then.
turning. shot across the street IKE an
arrow, md was out OF sight In moment
The three women looked AT each other
eve can't follow him Al mat rate, sald
Aunt Maria I'VE might rs well 80
home"
No" said Katharine. with decision:
I'VE viii 60 ON Perhaps we can hnd
an explanation for All this.
They wicked on In silence. ana IN
front OF the Poitcrs' shabby home they
stopped. The windows q the little kitch-
en- were euiltless Of curtains, and the
picture within flashed at once upon their
eyes.
On the table stood doll house. fash
joined FROM a small dry goods box The
windows had evidently been Whitfield out
with q jack-knfe, and were curtained
with bright paper The door swung Oh
real hinges At the top Of the Slanting
roof was a chimney, painted starting
red. And asa little Martha Potter hung
owe this work OF art. her face was so
traushglTed by bewildered smiles Hnd
happy tears thar one could hardly have
recognized her.
And this was Dams secret. This was
the explanation Of his lonely hours OF
work. Of his locked doors, OF his blushes
and his silence. IOylkc. he had hidden
his unselfsh plans for anotheTs happi-
ness. as II they were something OF when
TO be ashamed.
Tie three who had misiudged him walk
ed home In silence. IL was not TIL they
came in sight OF the sitting room win
dcws. from which the light beameo out
as a welcome, that Katherine said in a
Quavering voice. II an ashamed 10 thlnk
how little trusted my brother.
Never mind dear said Mrs carey,
che is our own dear boy. and That is the
great thing" She wiped her eyes as she
spoke for her nerves had suffered dur
ing the past few days.
Aunt Maria coughed with an unusual
air Cf embarrassment Il must ADMIT l
was mistaken" she said Certainly ap-
pearanccs were very misleading
Katherine could not forgive her even
after that confession But, few weeks
after Aunt Maria's visit ended, an eN-
press package came addressed 70 Dan,
containing % handsome silver watch.
Dams establishment over his gift was
equalled only by his delight: but the
thing which gave Katherine the most
plea sure was the enclosed card, on which
Aunt Maria had written I'm a cramped.
old-fashi0ncd hand "For Daniel c.. Ca
rey. a nephew whom l can both love and
trust"