The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-08-27

lOl al hlllu- liGdltcu iuu. IluNc Sou
friends in Greenfield?"
Coin ter see me aunt The hui
morous fiction came easily to his l;Ass.
Perhaps | know her" The wonlan
looked doubtfully at the ragged little
fellow as though 1t was possible, but
not probable. What Greenfield per-
son could claim this child as nephew?
perhaps | know your aunt she re-
peatcd. What is her name?'
Now did Jakcy the Shrewd repent
of his glibnesS. He answered reserv-
euiy.
Miss Tisha Prendergast."
Miss Letitia Prendergast!' Her
eyes widened with establishment. then
narrowed quizzically. Have you ever
seen her|'
"Naw'm,' and he turned his atten-
ton wholly to the flying landscape,
while she leaned back CHANGING in a
puzzled way at the stubby head visible
above the seat in front. Her interest
in this neglected-looking boy. who
rendered her his only piece of money.
was increased by learning of his unit.
CarelessneSs in signaling at the juno
ton where it was to pass the express;
On the part of the train itelf over
speed to make up lost time-like an
upheavel of the world it came; the
shrek of engines as the express round
ed the curve; q binding crash and
shock; the spit of escaping steam; the
roll and slide of cars down steep en-
bankment. The White-haired woman
tried to rise from the corner where she
found herself flung, but a broken seat
held her down. Outside someone was
calling: Water. water. for Gods sake.
water! The cars are on fire. Must
they be burned together then-the
dead, the dying and those struggling
i'll frantic terror for the life that still
seemed so sweet?
''Shove, Teddy, shovel said a voice
at her elbow. I'm liftin', too. Shove
an yer'll be up.
How they got out of thGs car neither
the lady nor Jakey could have told.
The former knew only that without
Jakey'S aid she would have been
among those that persisted in the
crushed car ere help could reach them,
and when she found that his arm was
broken and that he was swooning at
her side with pain, it was she who
took charge of him, and had him con-
veyed to her mansion at Greenfield for
now, that she was among her own
neighbors, she could command assis-
ance instead of imploring it.
Jakey'S convaleSCence progressed
rapidly, and his appearance, thanks
to the lady's generous purse. improv-
ed at the same rate. But one day,
after a fortnight's soiourn, he came to
her with this remark.
Teddy, l guess as how I'll be goin'
some-eres else!'
why, Jakey, are you tired of stay
ing here?'
Tired" He did not know how much
his intonation revealed to his benefac-
tress. Il JUS guess as how yer won't
want me no more when | let on"
"What?'
Il KEEP yer ticket that day. I picked
it up with yer handkerchief" He was
II handsome boy now that he was
properly washed and combed and
dressed. yet how pathetically little
and forlorn he looked standing there
with his arm in a sling. She under
stood how much harder for him was
this confession than his bearing during
the accident, of which she could not
think without a shudder. AN | tole
yer a whopper bout me aunt in Green.
field. Amt got nc aunt"
Yes, you have" she said. Miss
Letitia Prendergast."
He colored to think of having given
his imaginary relative a name. II
seemed such barefaced impudence now
from the new standpoint to which he
had grown.
Il saw the name on the 'spress box
an it stuck in me head. | kim here
cause Greenfield sounded like grass
without a sign onto it. When yer ask
ed me l said Miss Tisha Prendergast.
cause twas eaSy-an' somehow ]
didn't mind tellin' whoppers then"
He sighed a sigh that seemed to come
from the very depths of his heart,
New, Teddy, I'll be goin'.'
She took his resolute face between
her hands.
DO you think l shall let you go:
No, indeed. You shall live here and
call me 'Auntie,' as Tisha does. | am
Miss Letitia Prendergast.'-Philadel
phia Inquirer.