The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-21
CHAPTER XIV.

One day old Timothy Drew, with
much expenditure of breath and not a
few Impressions upon the folly of peo-
pie perching their houses on terraces
high enough for eagles nests, found his
way into Miss Melanie Potts presence,
carrying small parcel.
In those stagnant days parcel of any
sort was an event and an object of le-
gitimate curiosity. Old Timothy Drew
delivered this one with an air which
said plainly that he expected to be en-
lightened as to it's contents.
Miss Melanie turned it over and over,
looking at tine address from every pos
sible point Of view, touching the tight
ly drawn strings that bound it with
reverent fingers. Presently in an awe.
struck voice she said:
II do believe it is from my brother
Lester The handwriting looks like his
at its worst, and he always was so pre-
else about knots.
Timothy answered suggestively:
Shouldn't be surprised if it were
from little Potts, though the Lord only
knows how it got here. I reckon there
amt but one way of making sure, and
that's by outlying them knots. I'd like
nightly to hear how the little man is
getting on. Want any help?"
Miss Melanie drew her parcel farther
back from his proffered aid with cold
dignity.
II will wait until the Misses Potts
get home thank you, Timothy. They
are in attendance on meeting of the
L. S. A. s. l am much obliged to you
for bringing it, Tim"
"Not for WORLDS Miss Melanie told
the girls later, could have united o
single one of those knots with an alien
eye resting on them"
By devious ways, passed from hand to
hand, the precious package had reached
its destination, and the girls must share
with her every atom of pleasure or of
pain it might contain.
1t contained very little in material
way-three black finger rings, with
gold hearts and arrows imbedded in
them by way of setting; a carnelian
heart, with IN. P. - rudely carved on
its face; three tiny golden disks with
three dates engraved on them, respec-
lively standing for the birthday anniver-
saries of the three women who examined
each article Of the package with stream.
ing eyes.
But it was over littlo Potts letter
that they wept most copiously, Miss
Melanie insisting that he must be
very miserable indeed because he wrote
SO cheerfully, which was rather astute
Of the little woman.
1T is impossible for me to say" lit
Ito Potts wrote, chow this package is
to reach its destination, if it ever does.
I comfort myself by thinking that if it
is lost the world will still wag on.
II wish I knew how it was wagging
with my three dear ones just now. Sew
eral prisoners are to be exchanged to-
morrow, and among them is u young
fellow from Mississippi, the northern
part, who expects to be sent to his home
as unfit for further service. He will |
leave us pretty well laden with letters !
and just such foolish little parcels as |
this. l am glad no is going to DO re-
leased. He is not strong, and this eli
mate is trying to him"
Hero little Potts had stopped in the |
writing Of his letter to tic piece Of
old carpet about his neck to protect it
from tho cold blasts that were shaking
his enfeebled little frame as with chill.
when tell you what the rings and
other things arc liadu of, | am sure you
will DO proud Of mo, although mag
como in fer scolding too. You sse.
my dear thnra 10 not n,nch dnndvism !