The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-28
Miss Jardine's jelly.

per.
Where shall I forward your mail
sir?"
She did not express surprise at llfs sud-
den announcement. He had boarded with
her six years. She was accustomed te
his abrupt decisions and hasty depart
ures.
Pm not sure yet. I'll send you a pos
tai. Be back in a couple of weeks. Aw-
fully hot, isn't it? Good day, Mrs.
Muncie.'
by the way, I've packed up a box of
magazines which have been accumulat-
ing unread. I may get chance at them
now. I wish you would have the box
set in the cellar. and I'll tell Jerry to
call for IL. and ship it TO me-
Very well. sir"
The faded, specialized eyes of Mrs.
| Muncie glanced after him with an air Of
motherly proprietorship.
Mr.. Vicks, the mail carrier had paused
at her gate and was turning in.
Yes. Hot day. See Mr.. Keith is of.
Good afternoon, ma'am."
Mrs. Muncie turned her letter over,
stared at the superscription, opened the
envelope, and read:
| MY Dear Old Friend: I'm coming
down to you for couple OF weeks. I
have not written to You since / came
up to this city seven years ago to earn
my living with my wonderful accom-
plishments.' But I've found there Is no
lack of teachers Of languages, that my
voice is not so divine as my friends as
sured me. and so l settled down long
ago TO the commonplace but remunera-
tive employment of putting up fine jel-
Hes l nave succeeded. I am doing well.
But I want a rest. So write me a line
saying if l would intrude, or il any rea-
son exists why ! should not impose up
on you for while. Affectionately tours,
MARGARET JARD1NE.''
| A knock come to the door.
| Come inn' cried Mrs. Muncie. 20, It's
you, Mrs Wrayi And here you've
caught me just a-cryin' for sheer joy"
The letter in her hands trembled. Here
Miss Margaret-rny dear Miss Margaret
you've heard me tell about so often, and
! who 1 didn't know was dead or alive
writes that she is coming to stay
| spell with me. You know 1 was house.
keeper for her folks years an years
when they were the great people Of this
! part OF the country, an lived in that
splendid palace on the hill, that looks
so forlorn and neglected now. Her f1the,
failed IN business, and the fact xii Ell
him His wife didn't stay long at+er
him. An there was my dear Miss Mar
garet-only a slip of a girl of eighteen.
living. I begged her to stay with me
but she couldn't be dependent. But row
well, there! you may read for your
self"
Two days later Mrs. Muncie, pottering
away oves some crab-apple marmalade,
glanced up at an elegant intruder who
had come unbidden into her kitchen,
stately, graceful, fashionably attired wo-
man with a delicate, patrician face, deep
blue eyes, and a beautiful mouth.
"Bless my soul" cried Mrs. Muncie,
eff 1t isn't my dear Miss Margaret
"And so you're putting up preserves,
said Margaret. half an hour later, as
she sat slipping her tea. I'm going TO
help you. I'M an expert now, you
know laughing, "a professional"
And this, despite Mrs. Muneie's half
shocked protestations, she mss ed on
doing. But when she looked at the jel-
lies Margaret made her admiration was
unbounded "Such lovely oolors!" she
exclaimed, beaming at the filed glasses.
Such rose and crimson and amber, and
all so crystal cleari How did you ever
learn to make 'em like thate You won't
box to my sister that Hives in Jessup
county? She's an invalid, an they
would be such q treat to her.
st shall feel fiattered if you do so,'
Margaret assured her.
So the box was packed and put in the
cellar, and Mrs Murcie went downtown
to engage the drayman to come and &
it, But during her absence fate, in thu
person of Jerry, the porter Of the firm
of Keith & Co., interposed.
Jerry had been sent to get box Cout
Of Mrs Muncies cellar Margaret, sup
posing him to be the expressman sent
by her hostess, went down the cellar
with him, and pointed out the box con-
tanning the jelly.
There is no address on IT," she said.
"Do you know where 1t is to go?''
Eyes, miss That's all right I've got
the card for It IN my pocket"
When Mrs. Muncie appeared with
man and wagon. Margaret explained
that the box had been called for.
IT declare. that provoking Tom Grimes
must have changed his mind said Mrs.
Muncie. when I spoke to him he told
me he had an all-day Job. and couldn't
come. I must pay him the first time
see him. I shan't need you now, Peter
Green"
To Gilbert Keith, camping out with
some kindred spirits in the heart OF su-
perb scenery. was duly delivered the box
containing Miss Jardine's Jelly.
Great Scotland" ne exclaimed, chow
were ever magazines turned into jelly
and such jelly, But, seeing how under
favored the meat and over-favored the
butter TO be had here. I'm rather glad
of the transformation. And I'll take thu
goods the gods provide-no ques ions
asked"
Just week later it dawned upon him
that there was a good deal Of lonelire-s
and monopoly UP in the mountains. and
that it was beginning to feel a bit chill
" at night under canvas tent So
as suddenly as he had come he packed
up his traps and took his departure H
let himself in with his latch key one
purple and starlit evening.
your bad sixp>nce is back again. Mrs
Muncie' he cried. entering the parfoT.
But II was not stout little Mrs. Nun
Gle who rose from the rocker, but a far
and stately young lady. gowned IN pale
blue null. with bunch Of verbenas
tucked into her wide sash
Il am Mrs. Mupcie's guest" she said
with a smile. My name IS Msrg ret
Ja-dine. You are Mr.. Keith. I am
sure"
And when Mrs. Nuncis cam IN she
found them chatting IKE Old friends
And why NJ Keith" she demand 4.
when ne stood UP 20 say goodnight. i'd
you not send for that box OF magazInes7
It's down cellar yet
lie laughed out ike a boy.
Il did send Mrs Muncie. And I got a
box Of jelly-the most delicious Jelly
What good fairy converted literature in
TO ieiiy-"
Ms Muucie threw up her TAT hands.
And that" she cried. IS the reason
Amt heard \ word from Sister sr-
SAN And then there were explanation
all around and a good deal = Ia Oh
ter Three days later Mss Jardine went
back 10 the city And IL wss rot long
until Mr. Keith decided ne rad brrst7exs