The age-herald., 1899-06-25

in-law, but saw small hope of it's fulfill ment.
 How you keep up that nonsense, es= pecially when -" but Annie paused be- fore Ogas unconscious eyes.
 Especially when it's true,'' insisted Olga.
 ''It isn't"
 Let me choke that fib with your sweet hearts tie,' cried Olga, seizing the narrow black silk tie that hung bachelor-like, over the mirror. She threw it around Annie neck and gave it vigorous pull alas teo vigorous, for the. ill-used tie gave up it's threadbare existence with a soft snap!
 "1here now. see what you've done,' ex- claimed Annie, "and you know he hasn't any to spare."
 But her lecture was cut short by the sound of wheels at the gate, and both the girls scampered down the stairs, Olga with the .el-tae pieces still in her hand. She was making for her grandmother's in haste, when Annie called her back, as she thought it easier to explain matters then and there. MT. Towards weary eyes were refreshed and astonshed by the sight of the girl he loved standing before him in peni- tence, his old cravat in her hand and on her face a comical expression caused by the real regret she felt for an offense she knew to be so trivial
 Annie was blundering through a lame ac- count of how it happened when MT. How ard interrupted:
 "There is only one way to remedy it. Olga must make me another, and I want it made out of some cloth like that pink dress she wore-she wears occasionally
 What! pink cravat? Imagine your self"
 Well, I want 1t. I didn't say I'd wear it. he added to himself.
 Under cover of the general laugh, Olga made her escape and catching Annie's eye unobserved, she gave a victorious flip to the much abused remnants of that faithful old tie. Things were dull at her grand mothers, so she sat down in pure idleness and made neat little cravat out of the scraps of her pink dress. The good old lady took this seriously as the dawnings of industry and economy. So it was with se- cret delight Olga stole over to her fathers at dusk and slipped her handiwork MT. Towards bureau, while they were all at supper.
 Her innocent mischief would have re- ceiyed a rude shock could she have seen the tender kisses MT. Howard rained on that poor little strip of pink lawn, with its clumsy finger stitches. or if she had heard the heavy signs with which he laid aside that little wisp of hair.
 MT. Howard remained firm to the last, and took leave of Arlington and Olga, as soon as NPool was over, without once breaking the restraint he had set upon himself. Annie was the only one who had dim suspicion of the state of things with him, and she said nothing. He promised to let her know whether he would teach next year and she in return was to keep him posted on Arlington affairs.
 It was not until the next fall, however, that Annie received letter form MT. How ard-such breezy, cheerful letter, saying he had charge of large school in Louis 1ana and was prospering beyond his bright est hopes. Then the letters came thick and fast and goodnaturedly Annie allowed her name to be used on letters that were about nine-tenths messages to Olga and inquiries ahOnt 1ah f,it +, write answers that would satisfy Mr. Howard, and yet not to repeat Olga, Olga too often At first that young parsonage had carelessly remarked: He'd better write to me and be dCne with it."
 Annie's undisguised joy at this idea brought a startled expression to Olga's face and ever after she would listen in non committal silence to those charming letters from Louisiana. Her frank messages in return ceased and poor Annie was in de- spair, afraid to coin expressions for a sem timent she could vaguely guess was dawn ing. She was about to resign from her trying position in this three-cornered ar rangement when a long silence occurred and nos letter came from Louisiana Fi- naly one came with the familiar postmark but in strange writing and punctured with such curious little holes. Inside was an- other envelope, apparently much rubbed from constant wearing and in it was a little wisp of brown hair and a faded pink craNdti also tnlS note:
 Miss Annie Brandon:
 Dear Miss;-Mr. Howard had been with us such short time and was so reticent, that we are at a loss how to communicate With his mother, not knowing exactly where she lives. Your name and address being familiar to us, I will take the liberty to delegate this sad task to you
 You probably know that our section of country has been visited by that dread scourge-yellow fever. MT. Howard was one of the last to be attacked, but as he was much reduced by his faithful nursing of others he failed to rally I will not at tempt to describe the grief of this com munity over the death of one whose short stay among us had been ample time for us to learn to admire his manly tenderness and his faithful adherence to duty.
 "Of course, all his effects had to be burned, but I saved some little souvenirs found in his pocket, which can be thorough ly fumigated. Possibly you will know to whom they will be of most value
 Any further details of this sad event will be cheerfully furnished. Yours respect- fully, JOHN M. HAYES